Oops, My Geek Is Showing

Jul19

Sailing in Space

On July 9th, JAXA (the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) announced that they had successfully deployed and used a solar sail—a 2,153 square foot foil membrane that accelerates a space ship with sunlight and solar wind. At about 0.00025 pounds of force, the acceleration is tiny; but the ship is lighter due to lack of onboard fuel, and that acceleration can continue right through the flyby of Venus in six months.

Even stranger is the use of LCD screens near the edge of the sail, which allow the sail to change its angle by varying the amount of light reflected from the screens. Of course, they’re powered by solar cells further in on the sail.

If the IKAROS is successful in its flight, later this year JAXA will launch a new satellite with nearly 13,500 square feet of sail area. This time, the goal will be to visit Jupiter and the Trojan asteroids.

Jul14

Sith Lord, would it be OK if I took your photo?

In a recent performance by Improv Everywhere, New York City subway riders were presented with glorious Star Wars reenactment: Star Wars Subway Car (video after the jump.)

Jul01

Wherever You Are, Whatever You Do, Look Around You

Sometimes it takes a video to realize the beauty of something. In this case, I’d like to remind you of the beauty of maths—presented by our friends Look Around You, courtesy of the BBC. (Video after the jump.)

MindComet

MindComet Development Team