The Universe as seen from the perspective of an astronomical researcher, presenter and writer.
I’ve been negative often enough on this blog and in print about the scientific potential of the International Space Station, and had some interesting arguments as a result.
If they’re going to produce spin off technology like this, though, combining space and wine, I may have to reconsider.
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Catchup post from DotAstronomy
One of the most interesting talks on day one of the was by Emily Lakdawalla from the Planetary Society, about armchair space exploration.
The development of this field has been incredible, with rapid release of ‘raw’ data now the rule rather than the exception. Emily made the excellent point that in learning [...]
This is a screenshot from NASA TV’s media channel coverage of the GLAST telescope launch. All seems to be going well so far, but commentary is being provided by the chap you can see here, running up and down along the large bank of screens in front of him.
I thought the signature image for any [...]
Read More...Try to keep up with everything that’s happening
Yes, there is ice just beneath the surface at the Phoenix landing site, and they’ve touched the ground.
The shuttle is on its way back to the Space Station.
The launch of GLAST is just a few days away.
We got time on Hubble to follow up a Galaxy [...]
The next few nights are perfect for viewing the International Space Station, as it’s in almost permanent sunlight. You can read my short note about it in the Times, or just go to the excellent Heavens Above for personalized predictions.
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There are times when blogging is a way of spreading news or sharing experiences, and there are times when it feels more like extended therapy. In the latter category lie my attempts to come to terms with manned spaceflight. I’ve always wrestled with this; I believe in the inspirational power of rising above our atmosphere [...]
Read More...With Atlantis docked with the space station there’s no denying that manned spaceflight makes for compelling watching. The first spacewalk has been postponed due to a mystery (but non-life threatening) illness to astronaut Hans Schlegel, and blogger Damaris Sattia is reporting that there may be a problem with the thermal blanket on the shuttle.
While attention [...]
With space shuttle Atlantis having successfully reached orbit as the first of six planned shuttle flights this year, it seems a good time to return to my debate with Mark Hempsell about whether the UK should invest in the International Space Station. Following the first parts of our debate here and here, I asked Mark [...]
Read More...I’m publishing a conversation with Mark Hempsell, designer of a proposed British addition to the International Space Station. For the first part of the debate, see this post, and then come back to read Mark’s latest.
I do not agree that, in the context of Government spending, £500
million is a lot of money and [...]
In a bad mood last week (post conference blues seems as good an excuse as any) I was rather scathing about a proposal for the UK to build two new habitat modules for the International Space Station. It’s something of an embarrassment that the British flag is on the side of the station, although we [...]
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