Virgin Galactic Will Be Ready For Space Travel Within 18 Months

Image: Virgin Galactic

If you read my previous article about Boeing, you will know that Virgin Galactic was said to be ready for space tourism in about 2 years. Usually, shit happens and those deadlines get pushed way down the line. However, according to Virgin Galactic, everything is on track. (So far, that is.)

Virgin's SpaceshipTwo, designed by aviation engineer Burt Rutan, has recently been finished. It is the spacecraft they will use to carry passengers (2 pilots, 6 passengers) into suborbital space.

SpaceshipTwo will launch into space from the help of its mother ship, White Knight Two (WK2). Once WK2 reaches about 50,000 feet, SpaceshipTwo is released and will fly supersonic in 8 seconds. After about 70 seconds, the motor will shut down and SS2 will coast into sub orbit.

Want tickets?
Tickets are now on sell at $200,000. Do you find that over your budget? Virgin has already collected 45 million in deposits from 330 eager space tourists!

It's actually a very good price compared to the 40 million dollars you would need to shell out for a ride to the ISS on Boeing's CST-100 capsule (Crew Space Transportation-100).



Want to purchase tickets? Go to virgingalactic.com and book your seat now! If you save a dollar a day, in about 548 years, you could afford to go. So start saving now!
Sources: Nextbigfuture and France24

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This Robot Can Wash Your Hair While Squeezing Out Your Brains

The hair washing robot by Panasonic. Credit: Panasonic

You wake up one morning to find out that your local barber is on vacation. You look in the mirror. You brush your teeth. You look in the mirror again. You say, "wow, I look like shit, my hair is nasty!"

The only problem is... no barber = no nothing.

You make one last phone call to the same barber hoping that he/she will miraculously be back from vacation.

This time, you do get an answer.

It's Panasonic's hair washing robot! That's right, it's a robot that can wash your hair! Finally we can rejoice for the world is now whole! Like washing your hair has been such a hassle for centuries. Ha!

The robot comes with a nice reclining chair. It has 16 mechatronic (human-like) fingers that can rinse and gently wash your hair. It has the ability to personally memorize user data, meaning it will remember you. The 2 arms that will scan a 3D image of your head will make sure it doesn't squeeze out your brains. No worries.

The robot was designed to help ease the burden on health care workers. Since many patients can't always be attended to, for like shampooing and such. The robot will provide those services so health care workers won't have too. It's all about making life better for the elderly and disabled. I guess in Japan, they have a hard time keeping up with the requests from in need patients. One little mistake and out goes the dentures!

I'm not sure if humanity's robot technology is good enough to take care of the elderly. The elderly deserve the nurturing of real people. Not robots. That's my opinion.

To dye or not to die. That is the question...

Source: Engadget

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New Magnetic Switch Can Save Electricity By Up To 39%

Researchers from Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global), MERSTech, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology, say they have designed a switch that can recycle electric power. The switch called the Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch, can save 39% of electricity at peak power, according to recent tests.

Experiments with the switch have already been underway for about 3 months. It was installed at Tokyo's Hardy Barracks Installation and has proven itself to be of great help. Scientists tested it on fluorescent lights that require 24-hour power and proved that the Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch can do its job. And do it well.

“After the testing was complete, we learned that with the new device installed there was a peak power saving of 39 percent. The device not only conserves electricity, but produces far less heat and produces less electromagnetic interference than conventional technologies,” Said  Dr. Chandra Curtis, program officer at the ONR Global’s office, Tokyo.

By October of 2010, scientists plan to install the switch to the entire Tokyo Barracks. If approved.

At the end of the public release it states: "Lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of the average home’s electricity use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

So if 20% of your energy bill comes from light bulbs and whatnot--that means you could potentially save 39% off of that with the Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch.  Sounds good to me!

(Source)

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Boeing Wants To Take You Into Space

CST-100 rendering. Credit: Boeing

Boeing, which we all know as the maker's of big airplanes, is planning on flying people to space.
They are currently in the production stages of the CST-100 (Crew Space Transportation-100). The space capsule will be able to hold up to 7 passengers, but 4 of them will be astronauts. NASA plans to use the capsule to fly 4 of their astronauts to the International Space Station, so the remaining 3 seats will be sold to daring tourists. CST should be ready to hit the stars by 2014 or 2015.

If you don't want to wait that long. The Russians will gladly let you fly aboard their Soyuz capsule for about 40 million bucks. However, if for some reason you don't have 40 million dollars bouncing around your pockets, you can wait for Boeing's CST and pay a few million dollars less. Or, perhaps, you will pay nearly the same. Boeing hasn't released the exact figures. I guess we will have to wait.

Oh, and Virgin Galactic will take you to the edge of space for $200,000. They hope to be up and running in a couple years. More waiting!

I don't have the money to book me a flight on any of these things. Who does? But, can a boy have his dreams? I find this extremely exciting! I want to go to space!

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Cute Little Robot Making 300 Mile Trek Across Japan

The Evolta mascot will make a 300 mile (500-kilometer) trek across Japan from Tokyo to Kyroto as a publicity stunt to help promote Panasonic's Evolta batteries.

Cute little, Evolta. Credit: Sankei News, Panasonic

The robot was created by Tomotaka Takahashi, founder of the Japanese company Robo Garage. It weighs a whopping of 2.2 pounds and is powered by 12 AA batteries. The robot can travel at speeds of around 2-3 miles per hour. At those super sonic speeds, it is estimated that his 300 mile journey will take him about 49 days. That is, if he makes it. The thing is only 7 inches tall and 16 inches long. It's like the size of a Chihuahua. I hope he looks both ways before crossing the street! Ouch!

It's not the first time this cute little robot has made a journey that would rival the energizer bunny.

Back in May 2008, the thing climbed up a 1,740 foot rope from the bottom of the Grand Canyon! Also, in August of 2009 it walked for 24 hours straight at the Le Mans race circuit and completed 14.8 miles. Take that energizer bunny!


The day before Evolta left on its journey.


Evolta left on September 23, 2010 and should arrive in Kyoto on December 10, 2010. If all things go as planned. The journey is dubbed Evolta World Challenge 3.

Catch the thing doing its thing live on ustream here, and follow its tweets here. Further reading - Pinktentacle.

Do you think it's going to make it?

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Bird-like Aircraft Flaps Wings To Sustain Flight

Credit: Todd Reichert, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies

Last August, aviation history was made. The worlds first workable ornithopter from the University of Toronto--set a world record for sustaining flight for 19.3 seconds. It flew a total of 145 meters at an average speed of 25.6 kilometres per hour. It's not a flight that you would need to pack your bags for and it certainly wont be breaking the sound barrier anytime soon. But it's the longest any ornithopter has ever gone. The wing flapping aircraft, which they named "Snowbird," set the record during a flight at the Great Lakes Gliding club, in Tottenham, Ontario on August 2nd.

It has been humanity's dream to fly like the birds ever since Daedalus and Icarus tried to escape from exile way back when. In 1260, Roger Bacon gave the idea some serious thought. And 200 years later, Leonardo da Vinci created his famous ornithopter design. Ever since then, people have been inspired by their idea and have attempted, failed, died and attempted, failed, died some more. Fast forward 500 plus years, the dream is not a dream anymore. It's real, it's here, it's the Snowbird.

"The Snowbird represents the completion of an age-old aeronautical dream. Throughout history, countless men and women have dreamt of flying like a bird under their own power, and hundreds, if not thousands have attempted to achieve it. This represents one of the last of the aviation firsts," Said lead developer and pilot of the aircraft, Todd Reichert.

Snowbird weighs in at 94 lbs. It has a wing span of 105 feet and is powered by its pilot.

Watch this video to see it in action!




For more info, visit hpo.ornithopter.net

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Scientists Working On Technology That Extracts Electricity From The Air

What if we could extract electricity from the air? Is something like that even possible? New research presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, suggests that it is. In fact, scientists are currently working on such technology.

The lead researcher, Fernando Galembeck, Ph.D said this at the meeting:

"Our research could pave the way for turning electricity from the atmosphere into an alternative energy source for the future." Just as solar energy could free some households from paying electric bills, this promising new energy source could have a similar effect."

From solar panels to wind turbines and now air extractors? This strange science is just that.

The idea to extract electricity out of the air is not a new one. Scientists have been thinking about the possibility for ages. The only problem was that they didn't know how to exactly go about doing it. But thanks to the geniuses of today's age. The possibility is now a reality. It just may take another few years to get it working properly.

How does it work?
Scientists now know that airborne water droplets can be charged when they connect with dust particles that are naturally present in the air. Which Fernando and his colleagues simulated in laboratory experiments. The idea now is to develop devices that extract energy from them.

The public release states: "Scientists once believed that water droplets in the atmosphere were electrically neutral, and remained so even after coming into contact with the electrical charges on dust particles and droplets of other liquids. But new evidence suggested that water in the atmosphere really does pick up an electrical charge."

In lay mans terms, the device that scientists hope to create will just collect "humidity" from the air and extract the electricity from it. So the higher the humidity in your area, the better this kind of technology will work. It's just like solar panels, really. If there is no sun, the solar panels are useless. If there is no humidity the air collectors are useless.

If you want a fancy word to go with it. "Hygroelectricity" is what smart people will call it. That's just the smart way of saying, "Humidity electricity".

All in all, I think this technology sounds really awesome. Who would of thought we could suck the electricity right out of the air we breathe?

Further reading - EurekAlert

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Live Camera Of Aurora Borealis

Aurora over Calgary, AB Canada. Source: Qyd

Want to see a beautiful aurora borealis but don't live anywhere near one? You're in luck!

Click here to go straight to the camera

Thanks to the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) anyone with internet access can now view live pictures of Canada's northern lights! The cameras broadcast live pictures from a aurora borealis from the area around the city of Yellowknife. They begin to stream after the sun sets.

The $70,000 project is intended to be used as an educational outlet to study the sun and its affects on the Earth. With the solar maximum coming to a peak in 2013, the frequency of the northern lights will soon be much higher.

Click here to signup for the FREE Time Human science magazine

Since the solar maximum is on its way,  the potential for global danger is also much higher. Read the post: The Solar Storm That May End It All In 2013 to learn more. It basically gives you an idea of the damage a massive solar storm could do to our planet.

If you don't want to sit around and wait to see the beautiful lights. Astronomy North , a partner of the project, offers a notification system via Twitter (twitter.com/AuroraMAX) to notify you when an aurora is about to happen. When they detect that an aurora is about to occur, they send you a tweet to give you a heads up. Pretty cool.

To catch a live glimpse of the aurora borealis simply go the project's website AuroraMax. Remember the camera only turns on after the sun goes down, so you may need to be patient. It's well worth the wait though!

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Genetically Altered Salmon May Hit Store Shelves Near You

Genetically altered salmon vs regular salmon at the same age. Source: AP/AquaBounty.com

Scientists have created genetically altered salmon that grows twice as fast as normal. Supposedly, the "creators" of this "frankenfish," say the Salmon is safe to eat.

Do you believe them?

As we speak, testing is being conducted by the FDA to see if their claims are true.

If the FDA gives the okay, you can expect some 5 star frankenfish at a local grocery store near you. However, it will take about 2 years to get to market.

It's alive! It's Alive!

Does the idea of eating Frankenstein fish sound delicious? I'm sure some of you would love to give it a taste. I don't know if I would...

Most of the FDA pencil pushers have agreed that the fish is safe to eat. Do I believe them yet? No.

Critics of the fish claim that it could cause allergies in humans, and possibly make regular salmon go extinct. In addition, how do we know how healthy the Salmon will be after years of breeding?

How was it created?
Growth hormone was taken from a Chinook salmon and added to frankenfish's DNA. To ensure the year long production of growth hormone, scientists added a gene from an ocean pout (an eel-like fish, Zoarces americanus). The ocean pout gives the salmon a good boost of growth hormone to make it keep putting on weight.

If this thing gets approved, I imagine that other genetically altered crap will start making its way to store shelves as well. The door will be wide open. I say we close it for now. What do you think?

I think I lost my appetite.

Should Genetically altered Salmon be on your store's shelf? Would you eat it?

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Humanoid Robot 'Core' In Development

The latest thing in humanoid robot technology is being developed by the guys from Japan's Chiba Institute of Technology. This robot, named "Core," can carry roughly 220 pounds
(100 kg)-- is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs in at 507 pounds (230 kg). It can also absorb 80% of its own floor impact to help it walk smoothly.

The model is a prototype of what they hope to develop into a robot that can carry disabled people and be of some help in a work environment.

Core strikes me as being very similar to the humanoid robots in the movies Avatar and Alien. And almost resembles one of those walkers on Star Wars.

I strongly feel this technology is the first step in that kind of direction. I know "Core" is only legs right now, but when this thing gets mastered, they will only keep developing it further. Eventually, I think something like this will be the foundation for humanoid robotics in the future. Let's just hope the Military doesn't get a hold of this. If that happens, we may all be screwed. Skynet (hint hint).

Eh, we probably don't need to be taking it that extreme quite yet. The guys at Chiba say "Core" should be ready in a couple years. So we have some time before we need to panic...

Watch this video to see "Core" in motion.


Okay, on second thought... maybe we should start panicking?

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Astronauts Tweet Amazing Pictures From Space

For the past few days, astronaut Douglas H.Wheelock and his crew have been tweeting amazing pictures from the International Space Station. Douglas is the commander of the U.S and Russian Expedition 25. You would think that NASA would have some sort of high tech way to send pictures back to Earth. But why try to make something complicated when it can be so easy? With Twitter, all things are possible. At least, that's what I like to believe. I guess NASA believes it as well...

Back in January, 2010, the International Space Station received a software upgrade that allowed for instant access to the Internet. It's like the wi fi access at your local Starbucks, except this wi fi goes to space. Without that upgrade, the astronauts wouldn't be able to tweet stuff back to Earth instantly.



Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Douglas' tweets:

Strait of Gibraltar

Lights over Greece

Supply Spacecraft

Hurricane Igor

For more pictures, check out Douglas' tweets @astro_wheels. Also, Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi has been tweeting awesome pictures as well. His twitter is @Astro_Soichi.

Oh, Twitter. What would we do without you?


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Video Of A Dog's Head Kept Alive Without A Body

Can you stay alive without a body? Back in the 1920s, Russians were doing all kinds of crazy experiments. One of those experiments was trying to keep a dog's severed head alive without a body.

Russian scientist Sergey Sergeyevich Bryukhonenkowas was behind all of the madness. His research in experimental surgery led to the first open heart surgery in Russian in 1957. He also developed the autojektor (a heart and lung machine), which he supposedly used on canines to keep heads alive.

Don't believe it? Watch the video below...


The first part of the video goes through an animation on how the process works. There is something like a pump that pumps blood and oxygen to the brain, keeping it alive. There is controversy over whether this film is real or fake. The original film comes from a soviet documentary called Experiments in the Revival of Organisms (1940). Some skeptics claim it could have easily been produced with special effects and was probably created for propaganda.

 If it's real or not, it's still an awesome video. Watch it and see what you think.





I have always thought that this was science fiction until I saw the video. Now, if they could do this way back in the 1920s or whatever. What can they do today? It's kinda scary isn't it?

The idea sparked in my mind that this could be possible from watching the movie The X-Files: I Want to Believe. The whole movie is about body transplantation. It's not the best movie but it still caught my imagination.


What do you think? Is this video real? Is keeping a head alive without a body possible?


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