space-exploration on S Anand

Apollo 13 rescue

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 12:00:00 +0000

An incredibly detailed look into the rescue of the Apollo 13 mission.

What follows is a little known story, even to many involved in the Apollo 13 mission. While they have been complimented on rapidly getting the lunar module into lifeboat mode, stretching its resources to keep the crew alive for the journey back to Earth, few realize the lunar module controllers first had to overcome a basic problem: how to get the lunar module to turn on at all.

Space elevator

Mon, 15 Sep 2003 12:00:00 +0000

NASA is thinking of a space elevator, a la Clarke. On one hand, I think… can’t we save poor children in Somalia? On the other hand, 500 years from now, would you remember this generation for saving children or building a space elevator? Do you remember the Egyptian pyramids or slavery? Then again, to quote Groucho Marx, “Why should I worry about posterity? What has posterity ever done for me?”

I’d build the elevator. It’s cool.

Genes into space

Fri, 15 Jun 2001 12:00:00 +0000

And now you can send out your genes into space. You write a poem on your photo, stick your hair on it, and they’ll throw it into space. Read the FAQ. Oh, and by the way, it costs $50. If they can store 4.5 million submissions, and get $30 per submission (after discounts), they still make $135 million. Plus merchandise, advertising, etc. How much does it cost to launch a spacecraft? (NASA lets you send your name to Mars for free, though. I signed up and got a certificate.)