Science and Technology

Sci-Tech: Catamaran airship design from EADS

EADS proposes an innovative dual-hull airship for long duration flights: Twin-Hull in the Troposphere – EADS’s Arctic Airship – Aviation Week

Caption:

EADS Innovation Works video animation of its concept for an un manned airship to provide pesistent surevillance of the Arctic. The airship is a catamaran, with rigid hulls using helium to provide buoyancy and joined by wings to provide aerodynamic lift. Bouyancy is controlled passively the retracting sections of the lower hull to vary the helium volume. The 90m-long airship would fly for 40 days at 23,000ft, loitering at 60km/h but with a dash speed of 150km/h.

Science and Technology

Sci-Tech: Evolution of the Laws of physics – video talk by Lee Smolin

Theoretical physicist Lee Smolin gives a fascinating talk about the “Evolution of the Laws of Physics” in which he addresses fundamental questions about physical laws and their relationship to time. The presentation is aimed towards a general audience. He has a new book on the subject, Time Reborn: From the Crisis in Physics to the Future of the Universe

Exoplanets, SETI

A better equation to estimate number of life friendly planets

The title is a bit misleading (no it’s not “exact”) but here is an interesting discussion of new formula from Prof. Sara Seager (MIT) that provides an estimate of “the number of planets with detectable biosignature gases” using data from exoplanet searches like that done with the Kepler space observatory along with a few guessed parameters:   A New Equation Reveals Our Exact Odds of Finding Alien Life – io9.com.

Activism, General, SpaceCasts

The Space Show this week

Here are the shows coming up on The Space Show this week:

1. Monday, June 24, 2013: 2-3:30 PM PDT (5-6:30 PM EDT, 4-5:30 PM CDT): We welcome SARA MESCHBERGER to discuss the upcoming NewSpace 2013 Conference (http://newspace.spacefrontier.org).

2. Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 7-8:30 PM PDT (10-11:30 PM EDT, 9-10:30 PM CDT): RAND SIMBERG RETURNS to discuss his newly completed book, “Safe Is Not An Option.”

3. Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 9:30-10:30 AM PDT (12:30-1:30 PM EDT, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM CDT): This is a  discussion on the Teachers In Space SFF program Space Medicine Workshop at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). Guests will be Dr. Jason Kring, Elizabeth Kennick, Bob Werb, and Rebecca Zgorski.

4. Friday, June 28, 2013:, 9:30-11AM PDT (12:30-2 PM EDT, 11:30 AM-1 PM CDT). We welcome back retired astronaut JERRY CARR to discuss the 40th anniversary of Skylab and the Astronaut Scholarship Organization.

5. Sunday, June 30, 2013, 12-1:30 PM PDT, (3-4:30 PM EDT, 2-3:30 PM CDT). OPEN LINES discussion. All space and STEM topics welcome. First time callers welcome. Please be succinct, to the point, and let’s make room for everyone who wants to call. Listeners, remember, we have only one toll free line. If the line is busy, please keep trying.

See also:
/– The Space Show on Vimeo – webinar videos
/– The Space Show’s Blog – summaries of interviews.
/– The Space Show Classroom Blog – tutorial programs

The Space Show is a project of the One Giant Leap Foundation.

Asteroids & Comets, SETI, SpaceCasts

Rainn Wilson and Peter Diamandis to have Cosmic Debate in Google hangout

Here’s a message from Peter Diamandis and Planetary Resources:

Actor Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute from The Office) and Peter Diamandis (aka “me”) will square off on a COSMIC DEBATE:

Topic:  To Search for Alien Planets or Not…

Rainn’s point of view: This is very dangerous business – If we find them, will they come and attack us?
Peter’s point of view: An Abundance of resources and opportunity awaits!

JOIN US!  This will be FUN & very educational.

When:   Tuesday, June 25th, 1:30pm PT
Where:  http://bit.ly/14qPfay — Google Hangout, follow our G+ for the live YouTube link just before Tues, 1:30pm PT.

In addition to the Alien Planet debate… Rainn & Peter will discuss:

  • Pros/Cons of moving to an asteroid
  • Precautions to take before giving Rainn control of the ARKYD Space Telescope
  • Rainn’s plans for cosmic domination
Join us… this will be an important viewing for any Earthling.

Best wishes,
Peter H. Diamandis
Co-Founder, Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources
Advocate for Alien Planet Research

Everyone can participate in space