Oh yeah, this is some real hydro powered goodness here! I love the idea of attaching a tiny video camera to a water rocket. It brings a time honored classic toy into the modern age.
[via MAKE]
Category: Science
EMF Coil Gun From Camera Flash
I have a bag full of these disposable cameras that I got for the lenses but I think that the flashes might end up as one of these. I need a way to pop balloons…
[via Hack-a-day]
Hayabusa Nearing Itokawa
The Japanese mission to land a 10cm high robot names ‘Minerva’ on an asteroid is still on track even if the spacecraft is not in the best of health. Three of its four reaction wheels (devices used to maintain correct orientation) have failed and is now using precious propellant to stay on target.
The images that are being sent back are stunning. The survey of asteroid Itokawa is sure to produce a wealth of data on solar objects.
I’m looking forward to seeing if the tiny rover will be able to stay on the surface for any length of time or if it will bounce off and float away. If everything works as planned this will be the fist controlled landing and exploration of an asteroid in the history of mankind.
[ via BBC News ]
The International Space Station – Manned for 5 years
Woohoo! It’s been close a few times but the ISS has managed to stay occupied with no vacancies for the last five years running. Lets hope for five years more and that NASA gets those heavy lifters off the ground so we can start doing more in space.
The International Space Station So Far: Five Years of Service, But Incomplete
Simulated society may generate virtual culture
A society of virtual “agents” – each with a remarkably realistic personality and the ability to learn and communicate – is being crafted by scientists from five European research institutes who hope to gain insights into the way human societies evolve.
Simulated society may generate virtual culture
(Thank you Agent Greg for this information)
High Soaring Linux!
With a conventional Nokia cell phone relaying GPS information to the tracking station, this home built high altitude balloon was successful in reaching over 66,000 feet and traveled over 60 miles! A tiny computer called a Gumstix that runs Linux was controlling two cameras that pointed down and at the horizon. The results were very impressive.