Chapter 77.9: To the Moon! ... Bang, Zoom!

This could be interesting. The USA Today reports that a group of engineers is working on an alternative rocket to the Ares prototype that may eventually bring Americans back to the moon.

The article doesn't have a lot of detail (it is the USA Today, after all), but the way I read it, it sounds as though NASA doesn't believe it's safe enough to consider seriously; plus, NASA has spent about $7 billion to develop the Ares, so far, and it's not going to change its mind now.

I'm ok with that, but if some engineers can build a better rocket, I think the idea of competition should be fine. Of course, NASA is building with tax-payer dollars, so I'd like to think they've done enough homework to recognize that what they're working on is efficient and effective (I don't expect it be cheap; this is space we're dealing with!)

If nothing else, hopefully it'll inspire some great moon-related shows on Discovery!

Chapter 73.4: From the Earth to the Moon... and Then Some

Perhaps the image above impresses me because I'm a bit of a space geek, but I think this is an amazing shot. In case it's not obvious, this is a picture of the earth and the moon. What's less obvious is where the photo's taken from: Mars.

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took this image last fall. It's hard to make out, but the land at the lower half of the earth is South America.

Cool!

Chapter 70.4: Shoot the Moon

I would love to go to the moon. Ever since I was a little kid and NASA was sending guys up with the Saturn rockets, floating around the world in Skylab, and 'rendezvousing' with the Russians, I have been a space-ophile.

So the latest announcement from the X Prize Foundation that a team has registered for the $30 million Lunar X Prize is a cause for celebration. The goal of the Lunar X Prize isn't merely to return to the moon, it's to make it more accessible and commercially viable. I don't expect to have the cash to put a downpayment on a flight any time soon, but if these folks or others are able to succeed, perhaps it will be possible one day to venture off this wonderful planet and explore the neighborhood.

Good luck to the Odyssey Moon team. Ad luna!

Chapter 69.7: Random Q&A on a Sunny, New York Morning

Q: Why do commuter trains scheduled to arrive at a certain time sometimes arrive several minutes later?
A: A variety of reasons, most of which are beyond the control of the train's engineer or conductor. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Read a book. Do a puzzle. Catch up on sleep.

Q: Why is it cold in early November when the sun is shining so brightly and the sky is blue?
A: It has to do with direct sunlight and the angle of the planet. The earth is actually closer to the sun during the winter -- at least in the Northern hemisphere. But the sun's rays strike a more glancing blow across the Northern hemisphere at that time. Seasons change. Talk to the moon.

Q: Why did Mets third baseman David Wright win the Gold Glove award?
A: Because it's a popularity contest, like most things in life. He works hard, plays hard, everyone likes him, and he deserves to be liked. In a few years when he has the inevitable bad year or one of his parents gets sick or, God forbid, dies, and he lashes out at the fanbase that doesn't seem to understand why he can't hit .315 and hit 30 homers every year, then he'll look back and question why he plays a kids game. Then it'll come back to him, and he'll rebound with an MVP-caliber season. Because he's a damn good ball player, that's why.

Q: Why do bad things happen to good people?
A: Because Einstein was wrong, and God does play with dice. In fact, the Almighty has a bit of a problem, but he refuses to go into a 12-step program because he doesn't believe in a higher power. Who are we to tell God he's wrong?

Q: Why is oatmeal bland?
A: It's a twist on the previous two questions. Good things happen to people, but they're not necessarily exciting. And working hard isn't always its own reward, sometimes you need a lower cholesterol count too. Think of oatmeal as your quest to win the Gold Glove award. Most players don't think of it that way, but then strikeouts are on the rise too. Go figure.

Q: Are there aliens?
A: Of course. They stream in over the border every day. I've met legal aliens, and they work hard and care about their families, and I'm generally happy to know them.

Q: No, I mean space aliens?
A: We've sent about two dozen people to another planet. Some did a fly-by, twelve walked there; they all returned. These days we keep our space aliens in near-earth orbit.

Q: Seriously, I mean beings from another planet?
A: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Q: Why won't you answer my questions?
A: I've answered everything you ask. You simply don't like all my answers. Next time, don't vote for me. The personal accolades are nice, but I'm just happy to help out the team.