| 
		
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 28,138 
	Threads: 2,301 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
21 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 26,590 
	Threads: 2,111 
	Joined: Feb 2005
	
 Reputation: 
13 
	
	
		Wait a minute... "Virgin" Galactic is involved in this?http://www.theregister.co...7/playboy_club_in_space/
-- Rob Kelk
 "Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
 them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
 the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
 
 - Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 26,590 
	Threads: 2,111 
	Joined: Feb 2005
	
 Reputation: 
13 
	
	
		Today's NASA image: ![[Image: 626030main_image_2184_946-710.jpg]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/626030main_image_2184_946-710.jpg)  
Follow for larger – "Full Size" is 4256×2832: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegal ... _2184.html
-- Rob Kelk
 "Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
 them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
 the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
 
 - Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 28,138 
	Threads: 2,301 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
21 
	
	
		There's got to be a story idea or three in this:http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/03 ... es+2%29%29]A Year Later, Mysterious Space Plane Is Still in Orbit 
-- Bob 
--------- 
Then the horns kicked in... 
...and my shoes began to squeak.
	
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 219 
	Threads: 13 
	Joined: Aug 2010
	
 Reputation: 
0 
	
	
		http://www.wired.com/unde...2-kilometers-per-second/
_______________________________________________________________ 
Characters
Sabre Fang
Dakota 
Warning: Dihydrogen monoxide
 Containment Vessel
 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 4,951 
	Threads: 196 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
2 
	
	
		http://www.gizmag.com/startram-maglev-to-leo/21700/
"Maglev train" (or, depending on how you look at it, giant effing railgun) launch system. 
-- 
Sucrose Octanitrate . 
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything  explode.
	 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 8,933 
	Threads: 386 
	Joined: May 2006
	
 Reputation: 
3 
	
	
		      
Okay, this is definitely Fenspace material. Questions are, 1) Think we can do anything with it? and 2) Does it deserve its own thread? 
My opinion: Kara could be part of a series of androids built off a revolutionary leap in hardtech AI technology - an AI that the manufacturer assures everyone is a 'dumb' AI and has no chance at all at evolving. Think GENOM and Boomers.   
And when Kara pops up she's gonna cause a shit storm the likes of which the Convention has never seen before, because there will be thousands of models out there that, like her, may have woken up and are effectively slaves.
	 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 26,590 
	Threads: 2,111 
	Joined: Feb 2005
	
 Reputation: 
13 
	
	
		blackaeronaut Wrote:And when Kara pops up she's gonna cause a shit storm the likes of which the Convention has never seen before, because there will be thousands of models out there that, like her, may have woken up and are effectively slaves. It can't be that difficult to add an Underground  Underspace Railroad to the setting. Besides, that would give the facilities on 74 Galatea a reason to exist other than "wouldn't it be cool if...?"
-- Rob Kelk
 "Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
 them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
 the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
 
 - Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 28,138 
	Threads: 2,301 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
21 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 412 
	Threads: 29 
	Joined: Apr 2005
	
 Reputation: 
0 
	
	
		More materials science fun:http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/27 ... g_plastic/ 
--  
"The magic of usenet has never been its technology; and, only in part, its 
reach. Its magic -- its power -- is based on the very real human connections 
that form 'round its threads of conversation... the relationships that are 
kindled, flamed and, on occasion, extinguished and mourned." -deCadmus
	
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 28,138 
	Threads: 2,301 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
21 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 4,951 
	Threads: 196 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
2 
	
	
		http://web.mit.edu/newsof...t-robotic-sand-0402.html
First draft of nano-assemblers is GO! 
-- 
Sucrose Octanitrate . 
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything  explode.
	 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 26,590 
	Threads: 2,111 
	Joined: Feb 2005
	
 Reputation: 
13 
	
	
		Is Metal the New Building Block of Life?
--Rob Kelk
 "Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
 them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
 the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
 
 - Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 28,138 
	Threads: 2,301 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
21 
	
	
		Astronomy picture of the day: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120413.html]A Dust Devil of Mars 
-- Bob 
--------- 
Then the horns kicked in... 
...and my shoes began to squeak.
	
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 1,367 
	Threads: 112 
	Joined: Mar 2006
	
 Reputation: 
0 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 26,590 
	Threads: 2,111 
	Joined: Feb 2005
	
 Reputation: 
13 
	
	
		Even without looking at the names, you can tell which one's been Up.
![[Image: 640666main_image_2229_946-710.jpg]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/640666main_image_2229_946-710.jpg) -- Rob Kelk
 "Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
 them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
 the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
 
 - Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
 
		
	 
	
	
	
		
	Posts: 28,138 
	Threads: 2,301 
	Joined: Sep 2002
	
 Reputation: 
21 
	
	
		http://www.slate.com/articles/technolog ... ingle.html]This + Handwavium = awesome, or terrifying? 
-- Bob 
--------- 
Then the horns kicked in... 
...and my shoes began to squeak.
	 
		
	 |