Baikonur Cosmodrome

I found this 2001 Air & Space article during my research about Sputnik-1, the world’s first artificial satellite. It’s a very good first person account of a visit out to the Baikonur Cosmodrome and some of the run-ups and rituals for launching from there. The writer was there for a launch of the first permanent International Space […]

PSLV: A SpaceX/ULA/Ariane Alternative?

The Indians continue proving they are in the space business for real. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), their success with the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and their continued success with their latest launch today of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (formerly known as Sriharikota Launching Range), are all […]

From German Tunnels to Space, Part 7–Living in America

In the last post, I posed the question about whether the US government succeeded in making moral and balanced decisions when a government program, “Operation Paperclip,” was used to shepherd NAZIs into the US. Before you answer that question, here is some more information to consider. Flexible Ethics, Questionable Judgement A very good book, “Operation […]

From German Tunnels to Space, Part 6–The Corruption of Clippy

In beginning of part 4 of this series, I mentioned the “magical gem,” with the gem obviously representing the benefits we enjoy resulting from space technologies. The scientists and engineers of the United States have done great and historic accomplishments, including landing on the moon. The magical gem of space technology has proven very fruitful. […]

From German Tunnels to Space, Part 2–Peenemuende

In the first post to this series, I established my impressions of the German countryside and the Germans themselves: pretty, green country full of great, hospitable people (some are still friends). My family lived at the edge of the Ardennes in an area of hills and forests full of bunkers, pillboxes, etc. All of these […]