Monthly Archives: February 2010

Bigger prizes to come?

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The entrepreneurial space industry has been big supporters—and beneficiaries—of prizes, from the Ansari X PRIZE and the Google Lunar X PRIZE to NASA’s Centennial Challenges prize program. Now it looks the latter is going to get a lot more robust. After several years of not getting any funding, Centennial Challenges got $4 million in NASA fiscal year 2010 budget. And in detailed budget documents released yesterday, Centennial Challenges, now part of the Space Technology portion of the budget would get $10 million a year in fiscal years 2011 through 2015. Here’s how NASA describes it will use the money, if Congress goes along with the budget request:

The $10 million per year FY 2011 request for Centennial Challenges will allow NASA to pursue new and more ambitious prize competitions. Topics for future challenges that are under consideration include revolutionary energy storage systems, solar and other renewable energy technologies, laser communications, demonstrating near-Earth object survey and deflection strategies, innovative approaches to improving the safety and efficiency of aviation systems including Next Generation Aeronautics efforts, closed-loop life support and other resource recycling techniques, and low-cost access to space. Annual funding for Centennial Challenges allows new prizes to be announced, addressing additional technology challenges that can benefit from the innovation of the Citizen inventor.

In addition, NASA is planning a one-day technical symposium this Thursday featuring winners of several of the recent Centennial Challenges. That will be followed Friday by a recognition ceremony for the winners, featuring NASA administrator Charles Bolden. There’s also talk that NASA will use the event to announce one or more new prizes.

Applications for Seamless and Welded Pipe

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I'm willing to know about the applications of seamless and welded pipes with regard to the range of working temperature & pressure and kind of fluid( like water/ sour water, sour or sweet hydrocarbon gas/ liquid, acid gas, ...) in which flows. where are they used? or what are the differences bet

ER SS316L vs. SS316L Grade Filler Wire

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Basically Im the employer of fabrication caomany, I wanted to know the difference between ER SS316L & SS316 L grade filler wires with its advantages/disadvantages over each other & perfomance for weld joint.

if possible please reply on my Email:-dhir.patil1@gmail.com

Arizona Muslim killer of daughter, will escape Death Penalty due to Islamic beliefs

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by Denise Clark

Noor al-Maleki was a gorgeous, young woman living in Arizona with her family. She loved Western culture and the freedom that this country offers. Unfortunately, her muslim father felt otherwise. The Iraqi-American father decided that his family's "honor" was more valuable than his own child and killed Noor by running over her with his car. She lingered for a short time after being struck.

Now, nearing trial for her MURDER in Arizona, prosecutors have shown to be reluctant in sentencing Faleh al-Maleki to death. Why? Because the scumbag's public defender that you and I are paying for have pitted Christians against muslims to avoid having his client pay with his own life.

From pajamasmedia.com, the Chesler Chronicles:

"[Public Defender] Billy Little asked the judge to “take special precautions to ensure the County Attorney’s Office wouldn’t wrongly seek the death penalty because Almaleki is a Muslim.” Little called for an “open process (to) provide some level of assurance that there is no appearance that a Christian is seeking to execute a Muslim for racial, political, religious or cultural beliefs,” referring to County Attorney Andrew Thomas’ Christian faith."

I'd love to meet this worm of an attorney. Is he kidding? He's asking a judge, most likely a believer in Christ, to make sure that no one from the D.A.'s office seeks the death penalty because of an appearance of religious intolerance?? How dare he. His client took the life of his own daughter because he hates Western civilization.

Does Mr. Little realize how intolerant his client's religion can be? Does he truly believe that a Christian would be given the same consideration under Sharia Law? If he does, he's an idiot, and no village would want him.

Faleh al-Maleki didn't kill a Christian; he killed a muslim. So why is his attorney so hell-bent on painting Christians as biased? Because it's the politically-correct thing to do. Period.

And the D.A.'s office equally shares the blame for not having the spine to stand up and say that this "custom" will NOT be tolerated in this country. Shame on them for not representing the safety and concerns of the people of Maricopa County. I'd guarantee that Sheriff Joe Arpaio wouldn't back down, and he represents the same people as the D.A. If they're going to back off of the death penalty in what is clearly a capital murder case, then why even have a frickin' trial?

Noor al-Maleki will never again enjoy the blessings of this world because her father chose to impose his beliefs on this young woman. Now, just as he felt he was doling out justice, he must stop being a coward and face the justice of the people of Maricopa County.

Bandsaw Ripping Depth

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I'm considering buying a bandsaw, some quote 100mm cutting depth and 195mm ripping depth??? I'm confused, the only way I can imagine this is acheived is by removing the upper (adjsutable) blade guide for ripping.
Is that what they mean?
Del

Libertarian-leaning Defense Hawk Marco Rubio, now way out ahead of Charlie Crist

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by Eric Dondero

It is difficult to imagine a more perfect candidate for Libertarian Republicans than Marco Rubio. The Florida Republican Liberty Caucus has had friendly relations with him since his days as a newly elected State Rep. representing a Miami-area district in 2000. Then in 2006 he took over as State House Speaker and Libertarian Republicans worked with him on property rights and tax limitation legislation. Rubio has spoken to local RLC meetings, and sent one of his top aides to address the 2009 RLC National Convention held in Jacksonville.

He's solid free enterprise/low tax on economic issues. On social matters, he's a pro-life Catholic, but he's also a big tent Republican who recognizes that fiscal matters take precedence and are the issues that unite all GOPers.

But it's in the area of foreign policy where he most shines. A son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio is a passionate anti-Communist. From his speech at C-PAC:

"It's easy to forget how special America is... I was raised by exiles, people who lost their country to socialism. They came to America with virtually nothing -- no English, no money, no friends. They know how different America is from the rest of the world."

Most assuredly he recognizes that there's little difference between the totalitarianism of the likes of Casto, and Chavez, and the ruling Mullahs in Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al Qaeda.

From Larry Thornberry of the American Spectator:

Obama may have difficulty understanding that America is in a fight with radical Islam. Not so Rubio.

"We will do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to defeat Islamic terrorism," Rubio said to cheers. "We will punish their allies like Iran. We will stand with our allies like Israel. We will target and we will destroy terrorist cells and the leaders of those cells. The ones that survive, we will capture. We will get useful information from them."

Rubio paused here for more applause before adding, "And then we will bring them to justice in front of a military tribunal in Guantanamo, not a civilian courtroom in Manhattan."

There was a time, early on in his term, when Charlie Crist had some libertarian potential. But he got too chummy with Obama, gladly soliciting stimulus funds for Florida. He then made matters worse for many in the freedom movement by allowing 17-year old escapee from a radical islamist household, Rifqa Bary to be extradited to Ohio.

Now Rubio's the darling of the Libertarian Right. Our friends at Right Pundits put it best:

Marco Rubio is the second coming of Scott Brown, politically speaking. He’s in a lot of ways better than Brown. He’s younger, he’s good looking, he’s more conservative and he’s not afraid to take on the “establishment republicans” as he’s shown in taking on Crist. While Brown facilitated a miracle in Massachusetts, what Rubio is doing is no less miraculous.

Bottom line though, it's Florida that counts. And on that score he seems to be winning over just as many adoring fans as he now has nationally.

A new Rasmussen poll finds:

Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio continues to lengthen his lead over Governor Charlie Crist in the contest for Florida’s Republican Senate nomination.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely Republican Primary voters finds Rubio leading Crist by 18 points, 54% to 36%.

The August primary is still quite a ways away. But who would have ever thought a year ago, when Rubio was first making noises of running, that he'd be this far ahead, let alone in the lead at all?

How Long Will the U.S. be in Iraq?

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According to the current plan, all combat forces are to leave by the end of August.  Yet

The top U.S. commander in Iraq said Monday that the planned withdrawal of all U.S. combat forces by the end of August could be delayed if conditions worsen in the coming months as Iraqis choose a new government.

Since violence has ticked upward in recent weeks (see, e.g., here), the likelihood of delay is real.  Recall my earlier prediction that the U.S.

will have at least 200,000 troops in Iraq / Afghanistan in November, 2012.

Aside: The same general who issued the above statement also announced this week that he supports open gay service in the military.

More indications Geert Wilders may be gaining for coming elections

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Wilder's PVV, a "rightwing, mostly libertarian party"

Dutch Libertarian leader Geert Wilders is featured in the UK First Post this morning. And reporter Tim Edwards, declares his chances to ascend to the highest office in the Netherlands look good. From UK First Post:

Geert Wilders... Dutch politician banned from the UK last year for being a threat to race relations, could soon be prime minister of the Netherlands following the collapse of the Dutch coalition government at the weekend.

The government's fall, following a disagreement between the dominant Christian Democrat party and its coalition partner, Labour, over extending the country's Nato commitments in Afghanistan, means that a general election will have to take place within the next three months.

The most recent opinion polls suggest Wilders... Party of Freedom, will claim up to 25 seats in the new parliament, making it the second largest party after the Christian Democrats. Labour would get around 21 seats.

He also notes Wilders current trial for producing a producing a film critical of Islam could propel him even more:

The controversial Wilders, meanwhile, has reason to believe two high-profile brushes with authority over the next three months could increase his popularity among voters.

Pro-Liberty; anti-Euro & Islamo-Fascism

Wilders began his parliamentary career as an MP for the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, before leaving... at odds with the party line that Turkey should be allowed to begin accession talks with the EU.

Wilders went on to found the PVV as a right-wing, mostly libertarian party. Policies include a smaller state and lower taxation... The party proposes the ending of immigration from non-western countries – along with official recognition of the primacy of Christian, Jewish and humanist traditions... he sees [Islam] as fascistic. He spent two years in his twenties working in Israel, during which time he travelled widely in the Arabic world, where he was reportedly deeply affected by the absence of democracy. In contrast, he sees Israel as a "true friend" and admires its Counter-terrorism policies.

Two years ago he told the Guardian: "I have a problem with Islamic tradition, culture, ideology. Not with Muslim people."

Despite seemingly sharing many beliefs with far-right European parties, such as the BNP, Wilders rejects fascism. His criticism of homophobia, at least, sets him apart from such organisations.

Note - Wilders is a close friend and ally of U.S. libertarian columnist and blogger Pamela Geller (photo), of the Ayn Randist website Atlas Shrugs.

Editor's Note - we are currently headlining a piece by Snr. Editor Cliff Thies which is an extensive analysis of the coming Dutch elections at our sister site WorldwideLiberty.

Homecoming

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HomecomingDarkness enshrouded space shuttle Endeavour as it touched down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After 14 days in space, Endeavour's 5.7-million-mile STS-130 mission was completed on orbit 217.

During the STS-130 mission, the crew installed the Tranquility node, a module that provides additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to Tranquility is a cupola that provides a panoramic view of Earth, celestial objects and visiting spacecraft. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. With these improvements, the orbiting laboratory is approximately 90 percent complete.

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Seventeenth South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Forms

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GOES-11 captured a visible image of the Tropical Storm 17P at 1800 UTC (1 p.m. ET) February 22On February 21, the seventeenth tropical depression formed in the South Pacific Ocean. Today, February 22, the storm has strengthened into Tropical Storm 17P (TS 17P) with maximum sustained winds near 39 mph, and it was about 740 miles east-northeast of Pago Pago.

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-11 captured a visible image of the storm at 1800 UTC (1 p.m. ET) February 22. The storm does not appear well organized. TD 17P was located near 9.6 South latitude and 159.0 East longitude, and was moving south-southwest near 4 mph (3 knots). TS 17P was creating 15 foot-high waves in open waters.

Although TS 17P is expected to continue tracking in open waters its winds and surf may impact some land areas. So, regional warnings have been posted for the Northern Cook Islands. Currently, a gale wind warning is in effect for Penrhyn and an alert is in effect for Rakahanga, Manihiki and nearby islands.

TS 17P is in an area of wind shear, and that's limiting any intensification of the storm. It is expected to strengthen a little more over the next couple of days however, before it dissipates later this week.

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Volume Flowrate of Air in a Pipe

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How can we determine volume flowrate of air in a pipe?

we have simple equation

Q = Av

but how can air velocity be determined in the pipe

i got air velocity equation i.e.

v = Sqareroot(2500 DP/L)

while D = inner Dia of pipe

P= Pressure Dr

NASA And NOAA Ready GOES-P Satellite For Launch

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NASA's GOES-P meteorological satellite is lifted into the mobile service tower at Launch Complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Air Force StationNASA is preparing to launch the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-P (GOES-P) from Space Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch is targeted for March 2, during a launch window from 6:19 to 7:19 p.m. EST.

"GOES are the backbone of NOAA's severe weather forecasts, monitoring fast-changing conditions in the atmosphere that spawn hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other hazards," said Steve Kirkner, GOES program manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

GOES-P is the third and final spacecraft to be launched in the GOES N Series of geostationary environmental weather satellites. The GOES satellites continuously provide observations of more than 50 percent of the Earth, including the continental United States, providing weather monitoring and forecast operations and a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information and severe weather warnings.

Workers install NASA's GOES-P meteorological satellite onto the Delta IV stages already in place in the mobile service tower at Launch Complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Air Force StationIn addition to weather forecasting on Earth, a key instrument onboard GOES-P, the Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI), will help NOAA continue monitoring solar conditions.

"The SXI is improving our forecasts and warnings for solar disturbances, protecting billions of dollars worth of commercial and government assets in space and on the ground, and lessening the brunt of power surges for the satellite-based electronics and communications industry," said Tom Bodgan, director of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colo.

GOES-P joins a system of weather satellites that provide timely environmental information to meteorologists and the public. The GOES system provides data used to graphically display the intensity, path and size of storms. Early warning of impending severe weather enhances the public's ability to take shelter and protect property.

GOES-P will be launched on board a United Launch Alliance Delta IV (4, 2) launch vehicle under a FAA commercial license. The satellite will be turned over to NASA after the successful checkout is completed by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, El Segundo Calif.

Currently, NOAA operates GOES-12, (GOES East) and GOES-11 (GOES-West.) In late April, NOAA will activate GOES-13 to replace GOES-12 and will drift eastward from 105 degrees West longitude to 75 degrees West longitude. NOAA plans to move GOES-12 to 60 degrees West longitude to provide coverage for South America as part of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). NASA handed over GOES-14, launched last June, to NOAA on December 14, 2009. It will remain in normal mode at the 105W storage longitude to provide operational X-ray Sensor coverage to NOAA's SWPC.

Once in orbit GOES-P will be designated GOES-15, checked out and then stored on-orbit and ready for activation should one of the operational GOES satellites degrade or exhaust their fuel.

NOAA manages the GOES program, establishes requirements, provides all funding and distributes environmental satellite data for the United States. NASA Goddard procures and manages the design, development and launch of the satellites for NOAA on a cost reimbursable basis. Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems built GOES-P.

For more information about the GOES-P mission and program on the Web, visit:

 http://www.nasa.gov/goes-p
http://goespoes.gsfc.nasa.gov
http://www.noaa.gov
http://nws.noaa.gov

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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A Stellar, Metal-Free Way to Make Carbon Nanotubes

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Space apparently has its own recipe for making carbon nanotubes, one of the most intriguing contributions of nanotechnology here on Earth, and metals are conspicuously missing from the list of ingredients.

The finding is the surprising by-product of lab experiments designed by Joseph Nuth at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. and his colleagues to address the astronomical question of how carbon gets recycled in the regions of space that spawn stars and planets. The work also could help researchers understand puzzling observations about some supernovas.

In a recent paper in Astrophysical Journal Letters, Nuth’s team describes the modest chemical reaction. Unlike current methods for producing carbon nanotubes—tiny yet strong structures with a range of applications in electronics and, ultimately, perhaps even medicine—the new approach does not need the aid of a metal catalyst. "Instead, nanotubes were produced when graphite dust particles were exposed to a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases," explains Nuth.

"I am amazed at the implications of this paper, not only for astrophysics but also for materials science," says Dick Zare, the chair of the chemistry department at Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. "Could Nature know a new chemistry for making carbon nanotubes that we have yet to discover?"

One indication of that possibility came in 2008, when the long, thin carbon structures known as graphite whiskers—essentially, bigger cousins of carbon nanotubes—were identified in three meteorites. That finding offered the tantalizing prospect that a haze of graphite whiskers in space could explain why some supernovas appear dimmer, and therefore farther away, than they should be, according to current models. Yet, "very little is known about graphite whisker formation, and so it is difficult to adequately interpret their discovery," says Marc Fries of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Fries and Andrew Steele at the Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, reported the meteorite findings.

Now, the experiments by Nuth’s team suggest a possible route for forming such structures. This "is exactly the sort of fundamental approach needed for a meaningful understanding of what graphite whiskers are and what their presence means in the larger context of solar system formation and astronomical observations," Fries explains.

Nuth’s approach is a variation of a well-established way to produce gasoline or other liquid fuels from coal. It’s known as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and researchers suspect that it could have produced at least some of the simple carbon-based compounds in the early solar system. Nuth proposes that the nanotubes yielded by such reactions could be the key to the recycling of the carbon that gets released when carbon-rich grains are destroyed by supernova explosions.

The structure of the carbon nanotubes produced in these experiments was determined by Yuki Kimura, a materials scientist at Tohoku University, Japan, who examined the samples under a powerful transmission electron microscope. He saw particles on which the original smooth graphite gradually morphed into an unstructured region and finally to an area rich in tangled hair-like masses. A closer look with an even more powerful microscope showed that these tendrils were in fact cup-stacked carbon nanotubes, which resemble a stack of Styrofoam cups with the bottoms cut out.

These observations surprised Kimura because carbon nanotubes are typically grown with platinum or another metal as a catalyst, yet Nuth’s reaction had used no metals. Kimura checked for contamination but "did not find the presence of metallic particles accompanying the nanotube in the sample," he says.

If further testing indicates that the new method is suitable for materials-science applications, it could supplement, or even replace, the familiar way of making nanotubes, explains Kimura. That possibility "is most exciting and invites yet more study," says Zare.

The findings also might open a new realm of investigation in astronomy, because "we can take the whiskers produced by Joe and interrogate their properties," says Steele.

In particular, researchers can evaluate whether graphite whiskers absorb light, he notes. A positive result would lend credence to the proposition that the presence of these molecules in space affects the observations of some supernovas. The ability to test this hypothesis could start a reaction of its own.

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