Somebody beat me to it (Near Space Exploration)

Here I was, all ready to start some grassroots effort to get kids involved in some hands-on science and technology experimenting, joining forces between schools, the amateur radio community and Civil Air Patrol, for the benefit of local youth. Then someone else beats me to it. This is of course said tongue in cheek. The latest issue of CAP Volunteer has an excellent short article on this particular matter. Look for it on page 18 to learn about the CAPnSPACE.

I have also found other sites relating to near space explorations and high altitude ballooning, but I will comment on those later.

Time to get Wireless

As I alluded to last year, and in the face of further school budgetary pressures
teachers must avail themselves of creative and hopefully inexpensive learning opportunities to advance their knowledge base to help students cope with the technology challenges of the future. With that in mind the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has sponsored the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology to serve that purpose. This weeklong seminar, which is provided at minimal cost to participanst cover topics is areas such as "basic wireless technology literacy, electronics, and the science of radio; bringing space into the classroom; ham radio operation; introduction to micro controllers; and basic robotics." For more information on this year's ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology check out the brochure on the previous link.

Simulating Space Flight

For the past several months I have been trying to compile a list of programs that allow us lowly non-astronauts to simulate the complexities of running a space program from an operational standpoint. Once upon a time there was a program called "Microsoft Space Simulator" long out of print but "available" (you know what I mean) in some corners of the Internet. Some of the software I have sampled includes Eagle Lander 3D (Lunar Module Simulator), where I have managed to add additional topography to the moon surface in the form of new shiny craters, Orbiter (a free Space Shuttle Simulation and other simulations also per Wikipedia) and the one I have actually purchased, the vintage 60's titled A-OK! The Wings of Mercury.

The last one allows for networked play via the "A-OK! Mission Control Center This is a separate application that networks to the main simulation providing a full simulation of the Mercury Mission Control Center as well as the spacecraft. With this application, teachers can utilize one to ten additional computers to directly engage many students in the simulation. Space flight enthusiasts can network with other enthusiasts to run large-scale simulations over the web." (Reference)

For a real exhaustive list of Space Simulators go to this page at HobbySpace.com

Back from Hypersleep

It has been an eternity since the last post. Here's hoping for more time to comment on items of interest in the technology sphere.

With "good" weather approaching our beloved State of Wisconsin (and don't get me started about the state's commemorative quarter design) our attention is turning to outdoor activities such as biking, paintball and of course Model Rocketry and Radio Control vehicles. Model RC Submarines? Check. Make your own model rocket engines? Check. Want to get your Master's Degree in Space Science but can only do it online? Check. Let you inner rocket scientist rise from within.