Bill Housley
Science Fiction and Fantasy Author
About.me
Bill Housley
Author, Actor, Father, Wildman
Hates the World;
Loves the world;
Writes about the world;
End of Story.
Contact
Into the Dark–Escape of the Nomad
Where’s The Cat?
Another Man’s Terrorist
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Space.com Top Stories
- Buzz Aldrin Wants NASA Astronauts to Visit Asteroid in Deep Space April 23, 2014While moonwalker Buzz Aldrin thinks that a mission sending humans to an asteroid is a good idea, the Apollo astronaut isn't so happy with NASA's current plan to get astronauts to a space rock.
- Lyrid Meteors Rain Over Earth, NASA Cameras Watch | Video April 23, 2014The annual meteor shower peaked on April 22nd, 2014 and NASA's All Sky Fireball Network captured many of the streaking meteors as they burnt up in the atmosphere.
- Spacewalking Astronauts Replace Dead Computer on Space Station April 23, 2014A pair of NASA astronauts replaced a dead backup computer on the International Space Station during a short spacewalk Wednesday (April 23) to restore a critical computer system back to full strength.
- Virgin Galactic + Land Rover Partnership Driving to Sub-Orbital Tourism | Video April 23, 2014In a marketing exercise, the private space tourism company has joined forces with the sport utility vehicle giant to unveil the Land Rover Discovery Sport compact SUV.
- Spacewalk Photos: NASA Astronauts Replace Dead Space Station Computer (April 23, 2014) April 23, 2014See photos of NASA astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Steve Swanson as they spacewalk outside the International Space Station on April 23, 2014 to replace a dead backup computer on the outpost's exterior.
- WATCH LIVE NOW: Manned Mars Exploration Conference October 6, 2012NASA officials and Mars exploration advocates discuss manned missions to the Red Planet at the Humans 2 Mars summit, which runs from April 22-24, 2014.
- US Astronauts Taking Spacewalk to Fix Space Station Today: Watch Live April 23, 2014Two NASA astronauts will take a short spacewalk to replace a dead computer on the International Space Station today. See how to watch it live here.
- SpaceX Video Captures Amazing Reusable Rocket Test Launch and Landing April 23, 2014SpaceX's Falcon 9R rocket soared about 820 feet into the air last week at the company's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas, then came back down to Earth for a soft landing on the launch pad as planned.
- Mars Missions Could Make Humanity a Multi-Planet Species, NASA Chief Says April 23, 2014In order for humanity to survive into the distant future, we need to visit and even colonize other worlds, according to NASA chief Charles Bolden.
- Guion Bluford: First African-American in Space April 23, 2014Guion "Guy" Bluford is a former NASA astronaut who was the first African-American to fly into space. He flew four shuttle missions.
- Cross-Section of the Universe | Space Wallpaper April 23, 2014This space wallpaper of a galaxy cluster taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope gives a remarkable cross-section of the Universe, showing objects at different distances and stages in cosmic history.
- Space Station Beams Down Earth Day Greetings | Video April 22, 2014ISS Commander Koichi Wakata and Flight Engineers Richard Mastracchio and Steve Swanson have a message to share with the world on April 22nd, 2014, Earth Day. -- Satellite's Earth Day Photo: http://goo.gl/iXd3z8
- Photos: SpaceX's Amazing Falcon 9 Reusable Rocket Prototype in Pictures April 22, 2014See photos of SpaceX's innovative F9R, the Falcon 9 Reusable rocket prototype, as it soars through test flights. The SpaceX F9R rocket is a Falcon 9 booster first stage equipped with landing legs and a vertical landing system.
- Earth Day from Space: Satellite Snaps Far-Out Photo (Image) April 22, 2014A U.S. satellite has captured the ultimate Earth Day view from space, showing the entire planet in a stunning group shot of humanity. The photo, taken today (April 22) to mark Earth Day, was captured by the GOES-East satellite at 7:45 a.m. EDT (1145 GMT)
- 'What Is Relativity?' (2014): Book Excerpt April 22, 2014Many people with a basic knowledge of physics know that Einstein developed the theory of relativity, yet few people actually understand what it means. But author and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett relativity should be something anyone can understand.
- What Is Relativity? New Book Offers Simple Explanation April 22, 2014Why can't anything travel faster than the speed of light? Do black holes really suck? And why is the universe expanding? These are just a few of the questions author and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett answers in his new book, "What is Relativity?"
- Warming Earth Leads To Dangerous Droughts and Disease | Video April 22, 2014In 2013 and 2014, areas around the globe have experienced record breaking temperatures over extended periods of time. This has led to a diminished water supply, thriving disease carrying insects and fire.
- Laptop Bill Clinton Used to Email Outer Space Sold for $60K April 22, 2014Long before the first Instagram from space, the first check-in from orbit, or even the first astronaut's tweet, John Glenn sent an email to President Bill Clinton. The reply it prompted was the very first email transmitted by a sitting U.S. president — it
- Space History Photo: M2-F3 In-Flight Launch from the B-52 Mothership April 22, 2014The M2-F3 is launched from the B-52 Mothership.
- Powerful Asteroids Strike Earth with Surprising Frequency (Video) April 22, 2014Since the start of the 21st century, dozens of incoming asteroids have slammed into Earth, some of them packing far more energy than a city-destroying atomic bomb, a new animation illustrates.
NASA Breaking News
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LiveScience.com – Top Stories
- Quail Assembling - Nikon Small World photomicrography competition April 23, 2014Captured by Dr. Gabriel G. Martins of The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia, this winning video shows a sequence of “virtual” slices through the whole embryo, revealing startling clarity and detail of such a large specimen.
- Experimental Cochlear Implant Treatment Could Improve Hearing April 23, 2014Improved cochlear implants that deliver genetic instructions to stimulate regrowth of auditory nerves could give people who are deaf the ability to enjoy music again, new research suggests.
- 1800's Shipwreck Rediscovered Near Golden Gate Bridge April 23, 2014A ship that sunk near San Francisco's Golden Gate in 1888 has been rediscovered by NOAA. The City of Chester sits upright in more than 200 feet of water.
- Food vs. Sex: Why Some Female Spiders Eat Males Before Mating April 23, 2014Certain female spiders are infamous for eating their partners after sex, but some actually pounce on suitors, fangs first, before mating ever occurs.
- Mantis Shrimp's Attack Claw Inspires Tough New Material Design April 23, 2014Mantis shrimp attack their prey using a clublike claw that accelerates faster than a .22-caliber bullet. Researchers think studying the structure of this club could inspire stronger, more impact-resistant materials.
- How Cold Was Winter? Starving Rats Ate Trees April 23, 2014Some effects of the long-lasting, sub-freezing temperatures are only now becoming apparent. One surprise was the discovery that starving rats in New York City had attacked the trees in urban parks for sustenance.
- What Are the Types of Meditation? April 23, 2014There are many types of meditation, including Zen Buddhist meditation, transcendental meditation, Tai chi and yoga.
- 7 Ways Depression Differs in Men and Women April 23, 2014
- Creationist Debate Stalls South Carolina State Fossil Bill April 23, 2014When 8-year-old Olivia McConnell proposed a state fossil for South Carolina, she probably didn't expect her request to prompt a drawn-out fight with creationists in her state legislature.
- 'Chameleon' Crystals Could Camouflage Clothing & Cars April 23, 2014Just as a chameleon can instantly morph its skin color to match its surroundings, a new method of controlling crystals using light and chemistry could make clothing or cars change color on demand.
- Female Seed Beetles Fight Unequal Battle During Sex April 23, 2014When seed beetles copulate, females suddenly start kicking males because males hurt them with their spiky penises. And although researchers used to think this kicking was in the interests of the females, a new study shows this may not be the case.
- Image of the Day January 27, 2010Amazing images every day!
- Best GPS Running Watches April 23, 2014Are you interested in buying a GPS watch to track your running performance and fitness? Live Science's in-depth reviews can help you decide which device to purchase.
- New Crustaceans Found Crawling on Dead Whale Bones Off Antarctica April 23, 2014British researchers using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to explore the deep seafloor stumbled across the bare bones of a minke whale. Speckling the bones were tiny animals that resembled wood lice, only smaller, the researchers discovered.
- Oranges: Health Benefits, Risks & Nutrition Facts April 23, 2014High in vitamin C and potassium, oranges may boost your immune system, improve your skin and reduce the risks of cancer.
- This is What Global Warming Looks Like — 2013 Edition (Op-Ed) April 23, 2014The effects of a warming planet are now directly impacting the United States, says NRDC's Dan Lashof.
- Preventing Injury From Spring Sports That Span Seasons April 23, 2014Train in cold, compete in heat — how do you avoid injury?
- Dutch Student Sells His Data for €350 but at What Price Privacy? (Op-Ed) April 23, 2014A dutch student has taken the bold decision to sell all his data at auction. It’s a decision that should make us think about the future of our own information.
- Mysterious Mounds | Space Wallpaper April 23, 2014This space wallpaper is a color-coded topography map of Juventae Chasma revealed by Mars Express. White and red show the highest terrains, while blue and purple show the deepest.
- With a Bullet: China's High-Speed Rail Dream Begins to take Flight (Op-Ed) April 23, 2014As a young university student, I first visited Guangzhou during the mid-1990s and found it a gloomy and unsettling place. When I went back again in 2010, it was transformed. Here was living proof of the media mantra that “China is changing.”
Discover Magazine — Space
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NASA Blog Updates
- NASA Deputy Administrator's Blog June 26, 2013A Great Day for Equality
- NASA Administrator June 26, 2013Protecting Planet Earth
- NASA IV&V Matters June 24, 2013Summer Interns Return to IV&V
NASA Image of the Day
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Masten-space.com Blog updates–X-Prize winner!
- Fall 2014 Internships January 20, 2014Masten is now accepting applications for internships for the Fall of 2014. If you’ve followed us you know we’ve had a great history of outstanding interns working with us. There are few places like us that can deliver an internship with this level of responsibility and hands on work. We’re not looking for gophers, we’re looking
- Masten featured on PBS documentary December 2, 2013We get asked on a regular basis what life is like working at Masten. Well, the good folks at KQED (San Francisco Bay Area PBS affiliate) came out in May to capture a slice of Mojave with a healthy dose of Masten rockets. Watch for Masten to appear around time marker 13:47. We really enjoyed hosting
- Summer 2014 Internships November 11, 2013Masten is now accepting applications for internships for the Summer of 2014. If you’ve followed us you know we’ve had a great history of outstanding interns working with us. There are few places like us that can deliver an internship with this level of responsibility and hands on work. We’re not looking for gophers, we’re looking
- Joy and Sadness November 11, 2013Most of the time these blog posts update you on just a glimpse of what’s going on behind the curtain over here at Masten, and the man behind that curtain for most of those posts over the last three plus years has been Colin. Today’s post is a little different. Today, it is both with
- Xaero B Rises March 18, 2013Since last summer, even while we focused on Xombie flights for JPL and expanding Xaero’s flight envelope, we were working. Designing, tweaking, and starting to build the next iteration of Xaero that we affectionately (and creatively) call Xaero-B. We’re finally ready to pull the curtain back and share her with you! Xaero-B is intended to
- February Flight Frenzy! February 1, 2013We finished our work early and now we have extra time for you! As a result, a special one-time deal can be yours this February. Think of it as our Valentine’s Day present to the space community. For projects that can fly by the end of February, we’re offering an open loop flight on our
- Announcing Postgraduate Fellowships January 25, 2013We’re about to embark on a historic year for Masten Space Systems. Team members will be part of test flight firsts, the design and construction of some of the most advanced suborbital test vehicles ever built, and fulfillment of some unique contracts that will further establish Masten as the world leader in VTVL technology. We’re excited today
- Introducing Scimitar October 9, 2012I’m often reminded of an inspirational quote from a truly great self-made man: “I’m on to the next one On to the next one On to the next one On to the next one On to the next one On to the next one On to the next one Hold up, freeze Somebody bring me
- Next September 18, 2012Last week we encountered a sub system failure in flight that necessitated turning the rocket off while still in the air. Landing at that point winds up considerably rearranging the rocket into rocket parts. Since then we’ve heard from a lot of folks offering support, encouragement, and concern. Thank you. Please know that the team
- Xaero Test Update September 11, 2012Today, Masten Space Systems conducted a flight test of Xaero to 1 km altitude with the intention of testing flight controls at higher ascent and descent velocities. Our test objectives were met and initial results show the vehicle performed better than expected at altitude. However, the vehicle was lost during final approach to landing, and
Discovery Space News
- Spacewalking Astronauts Replace Dead Computer on Space Station April 23, 2014Two astronauts made quick work of their repair during the spacewalk.
- Saturn Moon's Weird Ridge Rained Down From Space April 22, 2014Saturn certainly has some oddball moons and astronomers think they're close to explaining how a weird feature formed on one of them.
- Asteroids Whack Earth More Often Than Thought April 22, 2014An infrasound network detected 26 explosions between 2000 and 2013 caused by asteroids blasting apart in Earth's atmosphere.
- DNews: Why NASA is Experimenting on Twins in Space April 22, 2014To understand the the long-term effects of space on the human body, NASA is conducting an experiment involving twins! Join Tara as she explains what they hope to learn by sending one twin to space, but not the other.
- Look Up! Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight April 21, 2014The Lyrid meteor shower peaks tonight (April 21) and if Mother Nature spoils your 'shooting stars' display with bad weather, you can watch the celestial light show live online with two webcasts.
- 'Easter Dragon' Pays a Visit to the Space Station April 21, 2014Astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Monday opened the hatch on the SpaceX Dragon cargo ship that arrived Sunday and began unpacking more than two tons of supplies and experiments. Continue reading →
- V-2: The Rocket Fueled by the Nazi War Machine April 21, 2014The unexpected spinoffs from the weaponized rocket technology from World War Two ultimately led to the more peaceful space launch applications we have today. Continue reading →
- Opportunity: The Amazing Self-Cleaning Mars Rover April 21, 2014Opportunity has been given a new lease on life after the red planet gave the tenacious Mars rover a power-boosting spring clean. Continue reading →
- DNews: Can We Grow Plants on Mars? April 20, 2014Last year, NASA announced that they had found water on Mars. This posed a question to scientists: Could we grow plants in the soil of Mars? Trace explains what is necessary to grow crops on Earth, and if Mars is able to sustain life.
- SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Defies Bleak Weather and Flies April 19, 2014Defying a bleak weather forecast, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Friday to send a Dragon cargo capsule on its way to the International Space Station. Continue reading →
New Scientist
- Big bang breakthrough: The dark side of inflation April 23, 2014The sighting of gravitational waves from the universe's birth is a great advance – but if confirmed might also be the ultimate setback for cosmology
- Playing peek-a-boo in a colossal rocket box April 23, 2014We take a rocket's-eye view of the monolithic gantry surrounding the European Space Agency's latest launch vehicle, the Vega, as it prepares for take-off
- Build a stable wormhole with the help of dark aliens April 23, 2014An extension of Einstein's gravity would let us build a wormhole – if we could send messages to invisible aliens via space-time ripples
- Asteroid strike map built from nuclear watchdog data April 22, 2014The network that monitors for covert nuclear weapons testing helped detect 26 asteroids entering Earth's atmosphere since 2000 – this movie maps them
- Red lettuce and dinosaur germs head to space station April 18, 2014SpaceX has launched its third cargo mission to the ISS, carrying gear that includes robot legs, a collapsible garden and a microbes from a dino fossil
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