Thursday, August 23, 2007
AIR ROCKETS!!!
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airRocket/index.html
I recently showed off model rockets for some neighbor kids this week, and I built one of these to show off some almost free rockets that you can blast off.
I tested it indoors (big mistake) then had to work to clean the smudge off the ceiling. These are more powerful and fast than you'd expect. Out doors it disappeared (almost) higher than the trees. After two launches it was lost in the trees. No matter - a little paper and tape and I've got two more ready for flight.
More Rocket Fun!
Googling around and I found a terrific rocket simulator/design tool at NASA!
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/rktsim.html
This amazing thing does simple ballistic, water, and solid engine rockets. Even better - it does AIR ROCKETS! (pictured). Clicking on the links, it turns out there is some pretty sophisticated information and math for rocket scientists.
Swedes Into Space!
Here's a family gathering launching Air Rockets! Fun!
Click here to see the video
or the full version here.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Still Rolling!
No work days missed riding - very nice, though a REALLY windy ride home yesterday - greatly reduced my average speed.
In other "space travel" - having a vastly larger mp3 player means I can carry lots of stuff around and keep in touch with many podcasts. Listened to Vatican Radio and The Planetary Society's podcast (among others) yesterday, ABC (Australia) Radio's religion report today. Democracy Now makes an interesting counterpoint to the news. AND the BBC news podcast.
On the "waves" I also picked up both China Radio and Vietnam last night. I should hunt around for the VOA for a bit 'o balance....
No work days missed riding - very nice, though a REALLY windy ride home yesterday - greatly reduced my average speed.
In other "space travel" - having a vastly larger mp3 player means I can carry lots of stuff around and keep in touch with many podcasts. Listened to Vatican Radio and The Planetary Society's podcast (among others) yesterday, ABC (Australia) Radio's religion report today. Democracy Now makes an interesting counterpoint to the news. AND the BBC news podcast.
On the "waves" I also picked up both China Radio and Vietnam last night. I should hunt around for the VOA for a bit 'o balance....
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Sci-Faiku http://www.scifaiku.com/
I'm Off
If Eden
I'm Off
"I'm off to find myself,"
the robot chirped,
As he powered down to discover dreamland.
If Eden
If Eden
had been in zero-gee
Would there have been a fall?
Sunday, May 02, 2004
Lots of biking....
Funny - a year ago I see the same complaint REALLY achey after a Habitat day. But biking every day of the week otherwise....
Brawn
http://www.apolloarchive.com/
versus
Finesse
http://www.u3p.net/
NOT that they are mutually exclusive!
Funny - a year ago I see the same complaint REALLY achey after a Habitat day. But biking every day of the week otherwise....
Brawn
http://www.apolloarchive.com/
versus
Finesse
http://www.u3p.net/
NOT that they are mutually exclusive!
Saturday, February 14, 2004
Like since forever...
Nothing much to write. Okay - here is something to think about:
http://www.landerchallenge.com.
Some discussion with friends/colleagues regarding the project. I'm thinking zip-zap type cars for the "rover".
The trick is meeting the criteria of
1) 185 feet altitude
2) navigating to 100 feet from launch area.
Stats I find for the zip-zap suggest it can hold a charge for 5 minutes, and go... 45 feet. So the landing has to be in a 45 foot radius from the target. Not impossible, but tricky.
Nothing much to write. Okay - here is something to think about:
http://www.landerchallenge.com.
Some discussion with friends/colleagues regarding the project. I'm thinking zip-zap type cars for the "rover".
The trick is meeting the criteria of
1) 185 feet altitude
2) navigating to 100 feet from launch area.
Stats I find for the zip-zap suggest it can hold a charge for 5 minutes, and go... 45 feet. So the landing has to be in a 45 foot radius from the target. Not impossible, but tricky.
