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