White House Receives Petition to Build Death Star

A Longmont, Colorado native identified only as "John D." has started a petition urging the U.S. government to build a military space station modeled after the Death Star from the Star Wars franchise. His petition made it to the White House website and has received over 3,000 signatures. The signatures of 25,000 citizens are required for the petition to be taken into consideration by governmental officials. John calls for construction to begin by 2016 and claims that, "By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense." Students from LeHigh University calculated that one quadrillion tons of steel would be required to build a Death Star the same size as the one in the film franchise. The cost of the steel alone would equate to be 13,000 times the planet's GDP.

This is just silly

I'm sorry...what?!? Really? Since when was the Death Star portrayed as a good idea. Last time I watched the Star Wars films, the good guys blew up the bad guys' Death Star because they were using it to blow up planets. At what point in the film did George Lucas convince 3,000 Americans that a planet-murdering space station was a wise investment? The name of the thing itself suggests that it might just not be in the best interest to advance the human race by building a Death Star. Hopefully in nine days, when the petition will die due to a lack of signatures, this issue will disappear from the minds of Americans and we won't have to worry about  a third party threat from the Imperial Party or the Sith Party in 2016. Instead, I think we should focus on spending that improves the lives of the people on our planet, rather than plunging back into the Space Race era of paranoia.

The New Magic School Bus

A group from Utah State University has developed an electric bus that charges completely through induction. It functions the same way an wirelessly charging electric toothbrush or a wireless smartphone charger operates. A charge plate is inserted under each predetermined bus stop, and when the bus stops to pick up its passengers, the electricity flows through the wireless transformer from the charge plate to the bus. This allows for the bus to top off its power capacity each time it stops. They dubbed their vehicle "The Aggie Bus," and it allows for smaller batteries, reducing costs and increasing potential space in the bus' carriage.

The Aggie Bus during a charge

This is an incredible example of an idea that represents what I see as the true spirit of engineering. Considering the purpose and functions of a bus, this type of power is ideal for creating a sustainable public transportation system. This idea is already being commercially utilized in some European countries, and Aggie Bus creators hope to spread the concept across the states. There are plans in the works for them to bring the bus to the commercial market in America. This project also inspires me as a college student to see the work being done that can really make a profound effect on a major, national industry such as public transportation. As a freshman finishing up my first semester, it's often hard to see the bigger picture and how these general education classes will really open up my adjacent possible and allow me to earn and education and get a job that can make a difference.

Induction Charging Comes to Public Transit

Massoud Hassani Interview

I found another very interesting video about Hassani's efforts.

Mine Kafon

Massoud Hassani is an Afghan product designer who fled to the Netherlands with his family when he was a young boy, after the death of his father. Filmmaker Callum Cooper created a short film about him and his efforts to remove landmines from his home country. The film is now a semifinalist in the Focus Forward Filmmaker Competition. Hassani based his idea of toys he and his friends used to build when he lived in Afghanistan. They would created objects that would roll across the desert powered by wind to race them, but the danger of remaining landmines caused Hassani's mother to prevent him from playing outside. In order to keep the citizens of his homeland safe, Hassani developed a larger rolling device with many legs that can be propelled entirely by wind and is made of materials costing only 40 euros.

Video entered into the contest by Callum Cooper

This idea is an incredible example of Occam's Razor; the simplest idea is the cheapest and is very effective. His product is based on homemade toys from his childhood, and is designed to keep other children safe. As seen in the video, it can essentially be constructed and used by almost anyone. Currently, it costs about $1200 dollars to clear a single landmine. Hassani's idea is cheap, effective, and reusable for three or four mines. The only issue is that this can only be used under certain conditions, which are a relatively flat terrain and a consistently windy location. These conditions may not be met in every area that needs a mine cleared. But as far as helping to ensure a safer childhood than he had, Massoud Hassani is doing a wonderful service, and he deserves to be commended for these efforts.

Vimeo page for Cooper's video

Mars Colony

The founder and CEO of SpaceX, Elon Musk, hopes to establish a colony on Mars of up to 80,000 people, which he announced to the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, on Friday. The pioneering group would theoretically consist of 10 or fewer people and the trips would be made aboard a reusable rocket powered by liquid oxygen and methane. Musk suggested that the trip would most likely cost upwards of $500,000 for a ticket. This price is based on what Musk thinks is affordable for citizens "in advanced countries, in their mid-forties" that want to go. He also estimated that the entire program would cost around $36 billion dollars. The founders of the colony would establish large transparent domes pressurized with atmospheric CO2 so that Earth crops could be grown in the Martian soil.

Elon Musk hopes to ferry 80,000 civilians to The Red Planet

This prospective trip marks huge stepping stones and a large paradigm shift in multiple fields. However, the adjacent possible doesn't seem to be large enough that this trip is currently possible. The rocket to be used will be an evolution of SpaceX's Falcon 9, but according to Musk, "It's going to be much bigger [than Falcon 9], but I don't think we're quite ready to state the payload." The prospect of mass colonization hasn't been considered by Americans in many years, so it will be interesting to see how many people are eager and willing to make this voyage and join the colony. The problem of global overcrowding will definitely play a factor in how important and potentially necessary this trip will become in the coming years. This also marks a shift toward practical fuel sources other than gasoline. Using methane will reduce the costs compared to kerosene, and it is much less risky than using hydrogen. The prospect of using a reusable rocket marks another paradigm shift and will add many considerations to the development of the rocket and the entire project.

http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-colony-spacex-121126.html

Killer Robots?!?!

I didn't intend for this blog to take the path toward "technological advancements that scare the crap out of me" but it seems that's where it's heading considering the article I just read is titled, "Ban 'Killer Robots' Before It's Too Late." The development of fully autonomous robots that could independently decide who it kills are being strongly challenged by the Human Rights Watch, and with good cause. In my opinion, one human does not have the right to decide whether another human lives or dies. To suggest that we are capable of programming a robot to essentially calculate that decision is disturbing and inhumane.

I couldn't find any images of the "killer robots"
but I'm sure they'll look something like this

The article recognizes the argument that utilizing this technology could save human lives in battle, but the author intelligently rebukes that statement by suggesting this will only make it that much easier to go to war. And the presence of these robots greatly increases the chance for civilian casualties. Humans are blessed with the gift of compassion, and granting a robot the ability to kill, with a lack of any sort of judgment is absurd. To me, this so-called advancement is more of a step backward than forward.

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/19/ban-killer-robots-it-s-too-late

Artificial Muscles are Terrifyingly Strong!

Tiny nanofibers that are being developed by a team of international researchers are 200 times strong than human muscle fibers of equal size. Now, I know this is an incredible feat of science and will be extremely useful, but that kind of strength, operating the way human muscles naturally do is pretty scary from a science fiction standpoint. According to the article I read, these artificial muscles could give robots more natural-looking facial expressions. I can't understand why that would be necessary other than to confuse someone, or just scare the crap out of them. However, as a prospective textile engineer, this technology is exciting for my potential careers or research. These fibers could be used to develop better water filters and improve the overall quality of living for many people. Much research and development is still needed to make this technology more practical, so hopefully, I could become involved in something like this in my own future education and career.

Microscopic image of the nanofibers

I'm all for advancements of technology, but we need to make sure we are constantly keeping the uses of this technology in check. To me, more human robots is not an advancement that will improve the overall quality of living among the human race. Greater access to clean water, on the other hand, will save lives, and make the research worth the time and money.

The Man With the Bionic Leg

Zac Vawter lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident, but yesterday, he became the first person to climb Chicago's Willis Tower with a bionic limb. He wears a prosthetic leg that is completely controlled by his mind, weighs ten pounds, and resembles something out of a sci-fi movie.

This marks an incredible stride made in the field of prosthesis, but I can't help be reminded of the future imagined by William Gibson in "Neuromancer." I'm not saying I think these advancements are necessarily dangerous to our society, but we will have to be careful about what direction the development goes in this field. I don't like the future Gibson offers, especially the fact that everyone seems to need to make physical alterations to their body for the sake of vanity in order to fit in. I believe in a more organic way of living, and I think these alterations should only be made in extreme medical situations where the change would make them more human in the eyes of society. I think this applies to Vawter's situation. With only one leg, he may be seen as an outcast and will have to make adjustments that others don't have to. However, his mind-controlled prosthetic allows him to function as everyone else does, and he isn't viewed as disabled or outcast.  I think he proved this point by accomplishing "SkyRise Chicago."

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1282719--man-with-thought-controlled-bionic-leg-climbs-103-floors

SpaceX Dragon

The private corporation Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, sent its cargo ship, titled Dragon, to the International Space Station three days ago. It connected to the Station early this morning to mark the craft's second voyage. Dragon's connection to the Station on May 25 marked the first commercial vehicle to ever connect to the International Space Station. This action marks a huge accomplishment, because the only way we will extend our space exploration will be through commercial "spacelines." I am excited to see what SpaceX has planned for the future, whether it be for the sake of tourism or exploration.

SpaceX Dragon: The one thing that hasn't changed is the increasing awesomeness in the names of these rockets.

They are currently working on the Falcon Heavy rocket, which rivals the Saturn V rocket in power and thrust, meaning we will definitely have the opportunity to make it to the moon again or farther. I like that the space program is separating itself from the government and the financial reliance that came with it. This means that we can actually get things done when we want to. However, a sense of nationalism is not completely absent from the space field. According to a Chicago Tribune article, NASA is working with multiple commercial companies to design space taxis and eliminate Russia's monopoly on transporting astronauts to and from the station by 2017. It seems that some remnants and bitterness from the space race still exist.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-space-spacexbre8990tk-20121010,0,2770771.story

http://www.spacex.com/company.php

"Just a Matter of Time..."

A recent article I read on CNN.com discusses the increasing threat of cyber attacks over smart phones, but it also questions the lack of any major attempts and a massive attack across the board. According to the article, the lack of this type of attack equates to the fact that much of the money is still in PC hacking, and the variety of operating available in smart phones makes it difficult to perform multiple hacks. However, a shift is occurring in the amount of financial transactions that occur through smartphones, and the fact that most phones don't use antivirus software makes these exchanges even more dangerous.

I'm not going to pretend I know really anything about computer hacking other than the fact that some people have the ability to monitor your device and gain access to bank accounts and other sources of personal information. The reason this article brought attention to me is that I recently learned of a new smart phone app through my bank - Coastal Federal Credit Union - that allows you to simply take a photograph and take that to the bank to use as a valid check. I was initially wary of this technology and the article confirms my suspicions. I doubt I will use this app anytime in the near future, but I know my family members already have. The fact that a hacker could gain access to information on smart phones without much antivirus resistance makes all of these new, "convenient" technologies dangerous in my mind.

CNN article

 

A version of the checking app

One giant humiliation for mankind

As I scrolled through headlines on my smart phone, I noticed one about a new development from the Mars rover, Curiosity. Much to my dismay, this news was that hip hop artist Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas fame had successfully broadcast his new single "Reach for the Stars" from the Curiosity rover. This is exciting news in the fact that it was the first song broadcast from the surface of another planet. However, my disappointment lies in the song choice and the overall content of the lyrics. Will.i.am, a self proclaimed science enthusiast attempted to tailor his lyrics to the topic of space exploration, but he created nothing more than a worthless pop tune that will fade into oblivion after a few months of radio airplay. To me, this is a great opportunity missed to present an example of mankind's capacity for incredible music composition. Such a monumental broadcast should have been served by a piece that is much more timeless, and one that requires no lyrics to express the emotion of it. What better piece to express the cathartic experience of the successful landing than Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra," made famous by Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The space man himself: Will.i.am

On the other hand, this broadcast presents an interesting idea to me. In today's pop culture, bad music is constantly being churned out, inexplicably receiving radio air time for a couple months or weeks, then fading into musical irrelevancy, like I predict Will.i.am's single will. In order to properly see a pop song off and ensure that we never have to suffer through it again, once a song falls off the charts, NASA can purchase the rights and broadcast it from space, where no one will ever hear it.

With the recent death of Neil Armstrong, I just hope that the lines, "And I know that Mars might be far, but baby it ain't really that far. So let's reach for the stars" will never go down in history with the same respect and regard as the quote, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."