Random Musings from the Warped Minds of Jonathan Goff, Ken Murphy, John Hare, and Kirk Sorensen
Posted in Thesis on May 30th, 2007
I figured it might be a good idea to bring this one up on the blog, just in case. Over the weekend, I finally got my flow test rig setup for my thesis. The rig is pretty similar to the fuel half of our igniter cart–basically it’s just a fluid tank with a regulated pressure [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 30th, 2007
by guest blogger KenISDC 2007 Co-Chair The rain continues here in Dallas, something we desperately need to recharge the lakes and aquifers, but it can also be a major pain. Many flights were cancelled coming into Dallas the night we expected the bulk of our arrivals, and many attendees were unable to secure a timely [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 28th, 2007
by guest blogger KenISDC Co-chair There was just an enormous amount of activity at the ISDC this weekend. Far too much for my exhausted brain and body to cover in just one meagre post. I’ve heard very few complaints from folks, while the postive goodwill has been tremendous. Some highlights: The movies were very well [...]
Posted in Thesis on May 19th, 2007
So, I’ve been slogging along with my thesis, trying to get everything wrapped up on time. I have a month from yesterday to get the experiments, models, and paper wrapped up to the point that my advisers are willing to sign off on me being ready to defend. I’ve gone back through my thesis, trying [...]
Posted in Administrivia, Thesis on May 17th, 2007
I should’ve put this up a few days ago when I first made up my mind, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t even had time to think. Basically, due to how close my thesis deadline is, I’m not going to be able to go to ISDC. I finally have all the of the models [...]
Posted in NASA, Space Policy on May 15th, 2007
Wayne Eleazer has an excellent article over on The Space Review this week, that I highly recommend. He talks a lot about the question “why manned space exploration”. I think the points he makes about stunts and programmatics is dead on. People need to realize that just guaranteeing the pork gets spread around doesn’t immunize [...]
Posted in Space Development, Technology on May 14th, 2007
I only have a few minutes before bedtime, but I got a lot of thesis stuff today, and since I was a good boy, I’m going to blog. This was a quick idea mentioned by a commenter on one of my previous posts. It’s crazy, and has a good chance of not working, but was [...]
Posted in Jonny Bloggin, Thesis on May 13th, 2007
Posted in Uncategorized on May 12th, 2007
By guest blogger Ken This week was a particularly ugly and stressful one behind the scenes at ISDC, so I was quite happy to top it off with a local marketing display at the Las Colinas Symphony performance of Holst’s ‘The Planets’ in Irving. I normally have the phenomenal local classical music station, WRR, playing [...]
Posted in Launch Vehicles, NASA on May 10th, 2007
I just thought I’d quickly mention that the team behind DIRECT has just released a much improved revision. To put it mildly, I’m not much of a fan of shuttle derived launch vehicles, but of all the alternatives out there (including and Ares V and especially Ares I), I think that this approach makes the [...]