dean_martin
05-04-2005, 12:59 PM
A NASA update. I saw a presentation by a NASA physicist/engineer last night that was really fascinating. This physicist is presently working on a plasma propulsion rocket that will allow humans to travel to Mars. His slide show included an artist's rendition of the craft. It reminded quite a bit of space artist's Chesley Bonnestell's work.
He also said that a newer program is underway to develop an antimatter propulsion rocket. We are currently able to produce antimatter in small quantities. Antimatter in the size of a penny can produce heat up to 50,000 degrees F (I think I heard him correctly).
Apparently, either one or both of the Voyager probes is/are headed to the outer edge of our solar system at a much faster rate of speed than NASA anticipated. Some believe that the ostensibly blank space just outside our solar system actually contains matter, currently labelled dark matter, and that this dark matter may be having an effect on Voyager.
Finally, this guy was almost accepted as an astronaut and as part of the process he was able to meet several including two who have landed on the moon (he wouldn't name names). It seems that the old fly boys are pushing for a colony on the moon which may be likely in about 40 years.
Fascinating stuff as told by a local boy who's made it big at NASA. Unfortunately, his presentation was part of a banquet for honors students and was limited by time.
He also said that a newer program is underway to develop an antimatter propulsion rocket. We are currently able to produce antimatter in small quantities. Antimatter in the size of a penny can produce heat up to 50,000 degrees F (I think I heard him correctly).
Apparently, either one or both of the Voyager probes is/are headed to the outer edge of our solar system at a much faster rate of speed than NASA anticipated. Some believe that the ostensibly blank space just outside our solar system actually contains matter, currently labelled dark matter, and that this dark matter may be having an effect on Voyager.
Finally, this guy was almost accepted as an astronaut and as part of the process he was able to meet several including two who have landed on the moon (he wouldn't name names). It seems that the old fly boys are pushing for a colony on the moon which may be likely in about 40 years.
Fascinating stuff as told by a local boy who's made it big at NASA. Unfortunately, his presentation was part of a banquet for honors students and was limited by time.