Dispatcher

Heinlein, "Time for the Stars", others. Asimov, Clarke, Anderson, others of that "era". Bradbury had a few too, but most of his were less "hard science" and more story driven (imagination). Edit: I forgot-- Ben Bova

Flickr works as well. Edit: might as well show you my Minmus rovers: The first is a prototype of my standard rover, which was first intended for Minmus. It uses ion engines as well as RCS thrust (in case it flips over); besides electric wheels: <img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/12664561473_c29eae9c9f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="newDetached"> It also rolls well on its sides (not intentionally, but more sides absorb more damage): <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/12664450355_0edd351efa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="rollsWell"> This other is intended for Minmus or lower G body. It uses mainly reaction wheels (but has some RCS), and is more novelty than anything, as rolling uphill can be a challenge: <img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/12843453373_0f59422ae8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="rolver"> Looking forward to seeing your rovers!

I've the original series on DVD set. I hope this newer series will live up to its predecessor's standards.

Actually, both Earth and Mars were struck by large objects. However, their axial spins (very similar periods, BTW), and that of Mercury, are prograde. What are the odds that both "got" their spin from those impacts, and in the same orientation? While impacts probably affected the spins, the odds reflect that these would have existed without the impacts. The mass from which the sun and its planets formed had its own rotation. Venus is the only terrestrial body with a retrograde rotation. You indicate that Venus' source of rotational direction is unknown; true in terms of certain data, however the fact of the slow retrograde rotation supports the possibility of an impact, which I think is the likely cause and thus probable. We do agree that more data is needed and thus more probes.

Welcome! You will find that most of the forum members are friendly enough.

No. I'd like to know; you did mention the situation of classic textbook case.

I agree that we need to send more probes to Venus in order to continue learning more about it. There is what I consider to be "the elephant in the room" that I seldom, if ever, read in science literature on the subject of a greenhouse effect in connection with our sister planet. Its the fact that Venus' day is longer than its year. In general terms, its a lot like Earth in its structure, including its core, or so it would seem as Earth and Venus are of similar terrestrial size, density and mass. If its axial rotation had not been altered by the impact of a massive object long ago (suggested in its extremely slow retrograde rotation), its rotation would drive the generation of an electromagnetic field similar to Earth's. I think that any lack of thermal convection in the core does not preclude its presence in a former epoch. Rotation and an active EM field in turn would help shield it from the sun's radiation and drive its weather and instill tectonic systems. This would in turn allow for the absorption of CO2 from the air (and reduce surface pressure), and would have allowed the planet to retain much more (or all) of its water. In short, Venus would be a warm but not hostile environment for us to study; at least not in comparison with its current situation. So, when trying to understand Earth in comparison to Venus, regarding greenhouse gases, we need to remember that in the context of the length of each world's day.

I'd ask "wut the hail is that?", three times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV7Qz640OeM

Ah, since this is a good textbook example, I'm interested in your sources. Thanks.

I've also looped tanks in both directions and obtained useful results, though it was perhaps overkill.

Yes, it might be done.

Ah, perhaps the Eloi and the Morlocks.

Yes, I usually place my LV-Ns (and some fuel tanks) radially using struts. I use at least 3 symmetry so I never have problems with stability. Of course by doing this instead of stacking them, there are never any fairings and their attendant ability to damage something.

... as MineCraft can get, so it seems. Finally, their preparations are paying off!

Yeah, back in my Windows days I really enjoyed Crimson Skies. Half the fun was designing the planes (hmmm). I kept trumping my brother because he was sure that the larger the caliber weapon, the more damage it did. But I'd figured out that the next caliber down in size fired at a faster rate, doing the same damage. Due to it having less mass, I was able to max out armor, while he was more vulnerable. At least it worked for me. Far Cry, Morrowind, Oblivion; all good fun.

I use the 3 crew command pod most of the time. If you want to carry 3 Kerbals in a single part, its good for that. But I like the look of it and the interior views out the windows are nice too. For a single occupant, I prefer a lander can since the view looking out is much better than from the single capsule, and it is less massive. It also has more surface area to attach other parts.

Interesting that you wrote "slavery in the USA". I would think that this would be so regarding slavery anywhere and any time in human history. A little armchair research on the subject of slavery at a popular online encyclopedia (Wikipedia) shows us that "historically, slavery was institutionally recognized by most societies" and "slavery is officially illegal in all countries, but there are still an estimated 20 million to 30 million slaves worldwide." As for recent and indeed, ongoing abuses, "Mauritania was the last jurisdiction to officially outlaw slavery (in 1981/2007), but about 10% to 20% of its population is estimated to live in slavery." The word itself is instructive, for "the English word slave comes from ... the ethnonym Slav, because in some early mediaeval wars many Slavs were captured and enslaved." In what might seem a surprising twist of fate, "in Algiers, ... Northern Africa, Christians and Europeans that were captured had been forced into slavery" in the early 1800's. The entry is informative, and the feeling I get is that its not unreasonable to assume that a large part of the human population throughout historical (and prehistoric) times, subjected to slavery, resulted in genetic differentiation, in terms of humans bred and adapted to their local conditions and tasks. The sad thing is that it still occurs in various places under various guises.

Una cosa es Amor.

The Earth's mass keeps us here, not its rotation.

Yep, rockets done, other preparations continue for their trip to the moon:

Very nice work. Thankfully, I've always been able to get the fuel distribution as I intended it to be; your work explains why the fuel flows the way it does. Its been my experience that experimenting with the order of fuel line placement can vary the delta V (I use KER for immediate results while assembling a craft). Thanks again!

Well, I've been a fan off and on of Bungie's Marathon trilogy (and some of the 3rd party scenarios). Also, their Myth series. There is also what Halo have been.Besides Bungie products, there are games like the Portal series and Half Life series too.

Nice work. Docking hasn't appealed much to me, but your tutorial has motivated me to make a serious try at some point. Previously, I'd simply ruled it out. Thanks!

I think the general Landis idea is that the structure(s) float freely, circumnavigating the planet about every 5 earth days. The challenge is landing on a moving target. It would make landing on an aircraft carrier seem like child's play in comparison.

Narcogen and Blackstar make parts and attempt to build moon rockets by using a "NASA workbench". I'm glad KSP doesn't require us to wave swords at parts in the VAB or peel potatoes.