I know that every candidate, in every election of 2011 and 2012, will discuss the problems with governmental spending, but I also want to hear about how we will change the current Federal tax system to a more simple format. We need a system of taxation which does not allow circumvention via loopholes and does not allow promises of "breaks" for promises of votes, but does bring jobs and prosperity back to the United States.
The Fair Tax is that system and during the electoral processes the candidates that stand out for me will be those that support, and not just pay lip service to, it.
These will be the people who will earn my vote.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Endeavor Launch Trivia
From Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson)
Endeavor weighs 4.4million lbs. If engines gave only 4.4million lbs of thrust, forces would balance, leaving it afloat on pad
Endeavor gets 2.4million lbs of thrust **more** than its 4.4million lbs of weight, giving about 1/2 G acceleration on liftof
Most of the Shuttle's initial propulsion is to accelerate the mass of fuel that burns later in the launch.
Most of Shuttle's energy accelerates it horizontally rather than vertically. Go 17,200 mph sideways & you'd reach orbit too.
If camera-coverage enables, six cool things to look for just seconds before ignition of the SolidRocketBoosters...
1) Orbiter's steering flaps jiggle back and forth -- a final reminder that they can angle the way they're supposed to.
2) The Orbiter's 3 rocket nozzles gimbal to & fro -- a final reminder that they can aim the way they're supposed to.
3) Sparks spray onto launch pad -- they burn away any potentially flammable hydrogen gathered there from the main engine.
4) Water Tower dumps a swimming-pool's worth onto the launch pad -- H2O absorbs sound vibrations, preventing damage to craft
5) "Main Engine Start" -- Orbiter's 3 nozzles ignite, take aim, and force shuttle to tip forward. Bolts still hold her down.
6) "3 - 2 - 1 - Liftoff" -- SolidRocketBoosters ignite, tipping Shuttle straight upwards again. Bolts explode. Craft ascends
Endeavor weighs 4.4million lbs. If engines gave only 4.4million lbs of thrust, forces would balance, leaving it afloat on pad
Endeavor gets 2.4million lbs of thrust **more** than its 4.4million lbs of weight, giving about 1/2 G acceleration on liftof
Most of the Shuttle's initial propulsion is to accelerate the mass of fuel that burns later in the launch.
Most of Shuttle's energy accelerates it horizontally rather than vertically. Go 17,200 mph sideways & you'd reach orbit too.
If camera-coverage enables, six cool things to look for just seconds before ignition of the SolidRocketBoosters...
1) Orbiter's steering flaps jiggle back and forth -- a final reminder that they can angle the way they're supposed to.
2) The Orbiter's 3 rocket nozzles gimbal to & fro -- a final reminder that they can aim the way they're supposed to.
3) Sparks spray onto launch pad -- they burn away any potentially flammable hydrogen gathered there from the main engine.
4) Water Tower dumps a swimming-pool's worth onto the launch pad -- H2O absorbs sound vibrations, preventing damage to craft
5) "Main Engine Start" -- Orbiter's 3 nozzles ignite, take aim, and force shuttle to tip forward. Bolts still hold her down.
6) "3 - 2 - 1 - Liftoff" -- SolidRocketBoosters ignite, tipping Shuttle straight upwards again. Bolts explode. Craft ascends
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