The International Space Station turned 10. On the 20th November 1998, “Zarya” the first ISS module was launched on board Russian Proton rocket.
Posts Tagged ‘space’
Happy birthday ISS!
Thursday, November 20th, 2008Asteroid encounter predicted for the first time
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008A few meters sized asteroid named 2008 TC3 will enter Earth’s atmosphere today creating a fireball visible from the east Africa. It is unlikely that any fragment will fall to the ground. This was reported by NASA’s Near Earth Object Program. Much more scarry is analysis of asteroid Apophis’ encounter in 2029.
Microscope to examine dust and ice on Mars
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008As NASA Phoenix probe approaches the red planet and begins to countdown for its landing on Monday the 26th of May, Swiss scientists are getting more nervous. Their Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) mounted on the Phoenix probe is going to perform a historic task of producing high-definition images of Martian ice samples, and who knows, maybe discover biological traces…
The man who lived among stars has left the Earth
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
Sir Arthur C. Clarke has passed away in his home of Sri Lanka at 1:30 local time at the age of 90.
In 1945, a UK periodical magazine “Wireless World” published his landmark technical paper “Extra-terrestrial Relays” in which he first set out the principles of satellite communication with satellites in geostationary orbits - a speculation realized 25 years later. During the evolution of his discovery, he worked with scientists and engineers in the USA in the development of spacecraft and launch systems, and addressed the United Nations during their deliberations on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Today, the geostationary orbit at 36,000 kilometers above the equator is named The Clarke Orbit by the International Astronomical Union.
His works and his authorship have ranged from scientific discovery to science fiction, from technical application to entertainment, and have made a global impact on the lives of present and future generations.
He formulated three “laws” of prediction:
- When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
- The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
- Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
He shared an Oscar nomination with Kubrick at the Hollywood Academy Awards for the film version of “2001: A Space Odyssey”.
Arthur Clarke wrote many books, articles and papers. His contribution to the science-fiction counts more than 70 titles.
“If we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run - and often in the short one - the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative.” - Sir Arthur’s quote
During the ITU’s World Communications Year in 1983 the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation was established with the following mission:
* “Stimulate creative use of communications technologies and social resources to improve health, education, and the quality of life for people everywhere, with emphasis on the needs of developing countries.”
* “Integrate science and technology with literature, film and other means of outreach to enhance recognition of our increasingly complex, interconnected world.”
* “Deepen public understanding of science and technology, and their impact on humanity and all the other components of our universe.”