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Rogers' Rocket Hub disguises 3G data and voice as mild-mannered home modem
Good news for Canadians who can't seem to get a decent internet plan for home. Rogers has unveiled a 3G station for residential use dubbed the Rocket Hub, and with it a number of jet propulsion-related puns that we'll be taking painstaking measures to avoid. It boasts 7.2Mbps HSPA, WiFi and ethernet out, and voice calls over UMTS. Makes sense since it's riding an Ericsson W3x core. Upfront cost of hardware hasn't been disclosed yet, but plans start at $35 Canadian. Launch date (okay, we couldn't resist) is sometime later this month.
Orbiting fuel stations proposed for trips to the Moon, Mars, and beyond
A US government panel, summoned by el presidente to review the future of human space travel, has expressed strong support for introducing fuel depots into Earth's orbit. Refueling between stops is expected to cut down significantly on the weight of spacecraft and, accordingly, eliminate the need to engineer ever more powerful rockets to launch missions. It would then be up to private companies to compete -- and NASA already knows a thing or two about privatizing space missions -- by reducing costs and developing more efficient methods. While by no means the only potion NASA has bubbling, if the panel concludes in favor of orbiting gas stations, they will form the backbone of all future extraterrestrial exploration. So we're just letting you know in advance -- we're nice like that.
Spiritual Guidance: Healing Mimiron
Every Sunday (usually), Spiritual Guidance will offer practical insight for priests of the holy profession. Your host is Matt Low, the grand poobah of World of Matticus and a founder of No Stock UI, a new UI and addons blog for WoW. Having some difficulty with Mimiron? Let me help! Mimiron. He is the bane of all healers. Even the most seasoned of raiding healers struggled initially with this gnome and his toys. Perhaps the class and spec that has the a difficulty adjusting to the challenges is the Discipline Priest. Let me help you get through it with a systematic breakdown of the four boss phases and how you can cope no matter which spec you are.
Next Russian space capsule could land on a gentle cushion of fire
We're all used to space vehicles making a fiery ascents into the heavens whilst sitting atop massive, earth-shaking rockets that fill the sky with light and hearts with awe. What's a little more unusual is a spacecraft that relies on the same technique make a gentle return trip. Ships landing under rocket power have been bandied about for decades, but now the Russians seem intent to make it a reality for their next space capsule. The current Soyuz capsules do use rockets to cushion landings, firing at the last seconds before touchdown, but still descent is largely managed by a series of parachutes. This next-gen ship would forgo such frilly things in favor of rather more pyrotechnic ones, a change that sounds rather exciting but, to be honest, somewhat less than reliable. Given our choice we'd probably take a halo of silk above rather than a pack of explosives below, thanks.[Via BBC News]
Ciel II satellite successfully reaches orbit, gears up for DISH service
If there were any doubts about the purpose of the Ciel II satellite, it's safe to say those questions have been answered. According to a glowing release on International Launch Services' website, the latest bird to leave its hands has successfully reached space, and now it waits to "ultimately be moved to 129 degrees West longitude where it will deliver digital television services to Canada and the contiguous United States." Brian Neill, chairman of the Ciel Satellite Group, was quoted as saying that "now that the spacecraft has delivered an initial signal, Ciel, our founders, investors, and our customer, DISH Network, can look forward to Ciel II's operation early next year." No word on what exactly DISH will use this for "early next year," but it doesn't sound like we'll be waiting long to find out.[Thanks, Joe]
Ciel II satellite prepares for launch, EchoStar service
While we can only imagine that most DISH Network subscribers are waiting anxiously for EchoStar XV to liftoff in 2010, we've got somewhat of an appetizer to share with you today. International Launch Services is making its final preparations to send off the Ciel II communications satellite for an estimated 16 years of service to Ciel and EchoStar. On the official Mission Control page, the "Purpose" is simply listed as "various services," so it's hard to say if this will be used for additional bandwidth or just to look pretty in outer space. Suppose we'll find out soon enough, as the bird takes flight at 8:43ET on December 10th.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]Read - Press releaseRead - Mission Control website
SpaceX's Elon Musk figures out Falcon 1 mishap, hopes for flight 4 next month
Wipe those tears away, budding astronaut. SpaceX's latest failure wasn't completely in vain. According to head honcho Elon Musk, the problem came just after a "picture perfect first stage flight" when a longer than expected thrust decay transient of the new Merlin 1C regeneratively cooled engine became "just enough to overcome the stage separation pusher impulse." You honestly may need to be a rocket scientist to digest all of that, but here's something even the layman can understand: Musk wants flight 4 in the air as early as next month. We're told that the long gap between flights 2 and 3 was simply due to all that engine engineering, but technologically speaking, nothing will change for the next attempt. Godspeed, Falcon 1 (v4).[Thanks, Kenneth]
SpaceX's rocket destroys Scotty's space-bound ashes in a demonstration of tremendous irony
Finely riding that razored edge between tragedy and comedy, the New York Times reports that not only did the SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket lose its three satellites and fail to reach orbit during a recent launch, but it also destroyed the remains of actor James Doohan, best known as the original Star Trek's Chief Engineer "Scotty." The actor's ashes -- as well as those of over 200 others -- were being carried into orbit by the rocket when complications with the ship's stage separation led to the (assumed) destruction of the craft. This recent mishap puts a sad period on the end of the sentence that already included an earlier loss and eventual recovery of the remains.[Via Slashdot]
SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket fails to reach orbit... again
Aw man, and we had such high hopes that the third time really would be a charm. SpaceX's third attempt to launch a payload rocket into outer space failed this weekend, with launch control confirming an "anomaly" just five minutes after liftoff. Elon Musk, SpaceX chairman and CEO, did admit that it was "obviously a big disappointment not to reach orbit on this Flight 3 of the Falcon 1," but he has assured the world that his firm won't be wasting any time feeling sorry for itself. The Falcon 1 was carrying a minuscule satellite dubbed Trailblazer for the Pentagon's Operationally Responsive Space Office, though we've no idea how costly the loss was. Thankfully, we can all look forward to SpaceX trying again sometime in the future, but unless the tables turn in a hurry, we'd say the odds are still stacked against it.[Via Wired]
Boeing delivers DirecTV 11, DirecTV signs for it and waves goodbye
We'll be totally honest -- we have absolutely no idea what significance lies in DirecTV "taking on-orbit delivery" of the DirecTV 11 satellite, but regardless, it has happened. Boeing announced today that it had done its part in delivering the bird to the satcaster, even though it launched back in March and isn't expected to start dishing out HD content until September. We'll just take this as a sign that things are humming along nicely up there, cool?
DISH Network's EchoStar XI successfully reaches orbit
It's official: the AMC-14 debacle can be pushed aside from the rear of your mind, as DISH Network's most recent launch went off without a hitch. Sea Launch has announced this morning that EchoStar XI, which lifted off late last night, has successfully reached orbit. Shortly after cruising was complete, operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia "acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit." It's noted that "all systems performed nominally throughout the mission," and it looks as if we should have 15 years of uninterrupted service from this one just as soon as it goes into action... which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.[Via Reuters]
Countdown to EchoStar XI liftoff begins, live webcast starting soon
Just a friendly reminder for you folks with nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening than watch a satellite get airborne: DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off tonight at around 10:21PM PT (that's 1:21AM ET on July 16 for those on the east coast), and as usual, the whole thing will be broadcast live on the web. Hopefully we won't have bad news to report on in the morning, but considering the fate of the AMC-14, we aren't crossing that possibility out entirely.[Via Spaceflight Now, thanks VANBROTHERS]
DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off on July 15th
For those of you who dedicate a few waking moments to tracking satellite launches (oh yes, we know you're out there), here's another one for your push-pin chart. DISH Network's EchoStar XI, which we already knew would be leaving this stratosphere in the summer, will be lifting off on July 15th. If everything goes to plan, rockets will fire just prior to 10:21PM PDT, with a two-hour window for launch. Should it make it to space (we haven't forgotten about the AMC-14 just yet), a 72-hour countdown will ensue, during which a series of tests will (hopefully) be completed. The bird has been designed to live in orbit for some 15 years and provide DISH Network subscribers with more (HD) content, though we aren't sure just yet how long it'll be before it's really put to good use. Got those fingers crossed? Good.
Gnomes or Dwarves: Which would be better to attach to a bottle rocket?
I don't know if it's just the kid in me that likes to blow things up, but I always find myself aiming to make a few explosions happen around this time of year. As I've grown older and understood more about physics, chemistry, etc., I've come to make the explosions even larger. For instance, putting a bunch of fireworks in a barrel, lightening them all on fire at the same time, and then funneling the explosion towards the ground usually has a humorous result. Humorous might be a few missing fingers, but they can be reattached. And really, who needs their middle finger for anything good? This year I'm going to try to attach things to bottle rockets, perhaps 10 to 20 all tied together in a bundle. My goal is to see how high I can make things go up in the air. It's going to be a grand ol' time. And after all, what better way to celebrate the birth of America than to blow your own little part of it up? All this talk about blowing things up has got me thinking though, which race would fit better on a rocket, and which would fly farther? Gnomes or Dwarves? Let's look at the strengths and weaknesses of both. %Poll-16438%
XCOR's Lynx aims to enter space tourism business in 2010
Crazy though it may be, XCOR's looming Lynx isn't the first rocket ship built to take Earthlings to outer space, but it's definitely taking a different approach than that of the SpaceShipTwo. Unveiled as the "sports car of commercial spaceflight," the smallish craft is only designed to carry two individuals (or a driver and cargo), meaning that you and your SO will have to take turns shooting up to some 61-kilometers above the ground. Reportedly, Lynx would be fueled by a kerosene / liquid oxygen mixture and could take off and land from traditional airstrips, and while it could manage several flights per day, each one is only slated to last 25 minutes. Sadly, the $64,000 (likely more, actually) question of how much this joyride will cost has yet to be answered, but optimistic minds are hoping to see test flights commence in 2010.[Via NewScientist]
Japan launches Kizuna satellite, hopes it will deliver high-speed internet
Granted, most of us here in America would turn our noses up at receiving in-home broadband via satellite -- after all, cable and DSL seem to be treating most of us quite alright -- but Japan is hoping to provide access to more regions in Asia-Pacific with its recently launched Kizuna. The experimental satellite is not yet intended for commercial use, but if all goes well, it will enable data transmissions "of up to 1.2 gigabytes per second" at a low cost across Japan and 19 other locales in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, we've no idea when it will escape the bondage of testing and actually be put to good use, but at least Japan's well on its way to actually establishing that wireless island, eh?[Via CNN, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
DirecTV 11 satellite set to launch in March?
If the successful launch of the Thuraya-3 mobile communications satellite -- combined with Earl Bonovich's expertise -- is any indication of the future, we'd say the DirecTV 11 has a decent shot of lifting off in March. Apparently, the aforementioned bird was the only one left to be launched before the D11 was given its turn, and sure enough, Sea Launch has just recently issued a release confirming that the Thuraya-3 has found its way into orbit. Of course, we won't see any new channels for awhile even after it goes galactic, but folks over at DBSTalk are already placing wagers as to the when D11 will head for the stars. Gear up, DirecTV users -- it seems that even more programming (or at least broader coverage) is coming soon(ish).Read - DBSTalk: Q1 D11 launchRead - Sea Launch Delivers Thuraya-3 Satellite to Orbit
Everex's Cloudbook coming to Wal-Mart by month's end
Well folks -- it's official. The Everex / Packard Bell / FIC Nanobook / Cloudbook / CE260 (phew) that we recently got some face time with is actually coming Stateside... to Wal-Mart. That's right, the Eee crown-threatener will be available on January 25th of this year, featuring a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M CPU, 512MB of RAM, a 30GB hard drive, and a 800 x 480 display for the extra-affordable price of $399. The system will be sporting Everex's gOS Rocket, the Google-ified version of Ubuntu which powers the company's cheapo desktop. Watch your back, front, and sides, ASUS.
gOS 2.0 "Rocket" set to debut at CES
Considering the absolutely lackluster hardware present in the Everex gPC, it's a tad difficult to get psyched up about the next revision of the gOS. Nevertheless, gOS 2.0 (or Rocket, as it were) is all set to launch on Monday at CES, and while there's not much to phone home about, the inclusion of Google Gears is the most notable feature. The aforementioned bundle is an "online / offline synchronization technology from Google that enables offline use of web apps." More specifically, users can look forward to gBooth (a browser-based web cam), integration with Facebook, shortcuts to launch Google Reader, Talk, and Finance on the desktop, an online storage drive courtesy of Box.net and Virtual Desktops, which is hailed as "an intuitive feature to easily group and move applications across multiple desktop spaces." Additionally, Adobe Flash Player 9 for Linux will come preloaded, and if you're so inclined, you can download the package yourself on January 7th.
First African satellite launched
In a landmark launch that will supposedly "contribute to bridging the digital divide within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world," the continent's first satellite successfully made it into orbit aboard a French-made rocket last night. The so-called RASCOM-QAF1 -- named after the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization which is funding the venture -- lifted off from the European space base in Kourou, French Guiana stowed inside an Ariane 5, the sixth such launch this year and 36th overall of that particular model, manufactured by Paris-based Arianespace. The new 3.2-tonne (7,055-pound) satellite is set to serve the large African rural market neglected by traditional cellphone carriers, and will allegedly save hundred of millions of dollars a year currently being paid to foreign operators.[Via PhysOrg]
