Various and Sundry

Commence Docking Procedures!

In a little under two hours, if all goes well, there will be a rocket launch to the ISS via Space X (you can catch NASA’s live feed here). If you want to wile away a couple hours, you can get good at docking the Dragon capsule with the ISS in a simulator using similar controls to what the astronauts are about to use. Be warned though, it takes patience and precision. But as gastronaut…

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Various and Sundry

Chris Hadfield finds your lack of Hard Sci-Fi Disturbing

I’ve really enjoyed Chris Hadfield letting us know about the realities of space exploration, from his space-based cover of Bowie to his book to his counsel on dealing with the pandemic. So, I was happy to check out what his thoughts were on some of my favorite “hard sci-fi” films were and– oh, it’s like comparing notes with my dad, the physicist and history buff…

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Various and Sundry

Tips on Isolation from Astronauts

It’s week two of a lot of us Americans staying at home. Per historian and librarian recommendation, I am keeping a journal during this time. Lesson plans and activities are set up for the kids. We’re doing our best to make sure Jabberwocky Audio Theater continues as planned for this year. And of course, there’s some home projects that are rearing both their practical and sanity-based heads. In the face of all this, it can…

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Various and Sundry

That’s no moon. Oh wait, yes it is!

February 29th is sort of a little bonus of a day, so perhaps in line with thinking about traveling to the moon early this week, there’s more space news. In fact, we have a second moon. No, really. Our planet has a temporary second natural satellite. See the coverage from New Scientist, NBC News, and Mental Floss. Now granted it’s not big enough to land on (it’s about the size of a car) and it…

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Various and Sundry

Earth -> Moon -> Mars… or Mars Direct?

Although I don’t have a huge number of posts on the site about space exploration, it remains something I always like to follow. I mean, some of this should be obvious given the whole writing science fiction thing. The writing doesn’t exist in a vacuum, as it were. A couple years ago, I read a number of science fiction (and straight science) pieces about Mars, but I suppose I just scratched the dry, red soil…

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Raves

One Giant Leap

This past weekend, there were numerous celebrations and commemorations of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I was lucky enough to be able to go to the National Mall where they had a special presentation –including a projection onto the Washington Monument itself– celebrating the achievement. I posted on social media then that no video or pictures could do it justice (and for people to try and make it to the later showings that night or…

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