With the economy being in the current shape (aka, not a good one), many people are noticeably, and understandably, nervous about long-term investments; especially those that don’t return in the same form or currency as the initial buy-in.  With the same trepidation, people are wary about spending more money on NASA, particularly the human spaceflight aspect of NASA.  Sure, folks seem not to mind sending satellites, probes and robots to explore the vast stellar reaches, but talk about putting a human into space, and some people get noticeably weak in the knees.  They talk about risks, and costs, and use the all-too-popular “why not send a robot to do it? They’re just as good and no one cares about them.”  And most of them use internet-enabled cellphones while driving GPS-equipped cars while doing it.

Well, where do you think all of this stuff came from?

Sure the internet, GPS, and other modern-day technical wonders aren’t NASA-specific developments, but the items that are share a very similar lineage with these items, and that is they were initially funded by a federal program that was funded, in turn, by tax dollars.  Then some bright person had an ever brighter idea about taking said applications and making it useful for the broader civilian population.  No one complains now about the existence of the internet, GPS, fuel cells that produce clean energy, rechargeable batteries, or other technical marvels, but take away the funding that funded the programs that initially created these, and the world today would be a much different, much less connected place.  While some may argue that we could do with a little less electronic connection and a little more face-to-face, the fact of the matter is much of today’s life experience (good, bad, and otherwise), would not be possible without these developments.

Most of the opposition to spending more on spaceflight use the argument that money spent today doesn’t guarantee a technical or financially viable return in the near future.  To that I say “well, duh”.  Think about spending money spaceflight like  spending money in the stock market.  You wouldn’t realistically expect to put in $100 dollars today and get out $1,000 tomorrow, next week, or even next year (unless you’re really lucky).  You put in your $100 with the knowledge that it will take time to grow, mature, and make earnings and interests over the years.  If you apply the same principle to, say, the internet, with it’s far reaching influence over the past decade, you’ll see that the initial dollars spent in the late 50’s and early 60’s (yes, that long ago since a national network of radar sites was created) have literally mushroomed into an unstoppable, life altering force that has affected the lives of billions of people on every continent and in every nation.  A lot of the technology that makes this far-reaching capability possible was developed with tax payer dollars with no clear idea of what the future held.

How about satellites?  That’s one thing that NASA does better than most, besides launching humans on large rockets.  Without satellites, most of the internet wouldn’t be possible.  Naiton-wide cellphone coverage wouldn’t be possible.  You certainly wouldn’t have access to over 500 channels from Direct TV or the like.  Weather prediction would be kinda hard (think about not having advance warning for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Ike) and we can kiss instant news reports from the four corners of the world goodbye as well.

The point is, spaceflight can’t be look at as something that will produce immediate, tangible or financial results (at least this is the case most of the time).  Some things will take years to develop.  Somethings, like the internet, will take decades before their full potential is realized (and I still think the ‘net has a long way to go).  If we spend the money now, our children and grandchildren will reap the benefits of our choices.  However, they will also reap the consequences of our inaction.  Saving money now doesn’t necessarily equate the ability to fast track technological developments in the future.  Space travel is much more than just a bunch of smart guys sitting around trying to figure out how to build rockets and launch people and items into space.  It’s where ideas are born, developed, and ultimately transformed into world-changing ideas and concepts.

Also, let’s not forget the commercial applications.  Already we have private companies launching satellites , and a few are looking at attempting to reach LEO with science payloads and perhaps even ferrying crews to the ISS.  This comes with a need for trained people, which equates to more people being educated to fill technical jobs; jobs that will enable them to spend more on goods and services which, in turn, allows more companies to hire more people, enabling them to buy more…and the cycle continues.  Is space travel the answer to the world’s current economic woes?  Not by far.  But, not spending on space isn’t the correct answer, either, and could do more future harm than future good.

How many times have you been to a conference where it feels like the only thing that changed was the venue and location. The speakers are the same, the attendees are the same, the topics are the same! That’s been one of my frustrations with space conferences over the past few years, so I wanted to let you all know about an event coming up in Houston on December 2-3rd that’s going to be a little different. The American Astronautical Society is having their annual conference in Houston, just like they do every 2 years. However, this time, the only thing that will be the same is the fact that it’s in Houston. This years AAS Imagine09 Conference is focused on exploring remarkable ideas that are making a difference in the world and that could transform the space industry (if we choose to apply them). Some of the world’s most creative, productive and compelling individuals will actively engage attendees, providing knowledge and inspiration and encouraging breakthroughs in thought. The event has been designed to both spark imagination and to get people talking. If you have the chance to attend, you’ll hear Disney Imagineers talk about the use of narrative to create strategy and build teams and CEO’s talk about talks about designing the future. The entire list of speakers and topcis is included below. I hope you will be able to make it!

What: American Astronautical Society (AAS) Conference – Imagine 09. Ideas at Work.
When: December 2-3, 2009
Where: NASA Johnson Space Center Gilruth Center, Houston, TX
How to Register: Visit this website (Note: If you are a CS at JSC, use the NASA Satern system and look for announcements in JSC today)
More Information: AAS Website

Armen Berjikly talks about the power of uniting people who can improve each other’s lives - technology start-up entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of The Experience Project.

Steve Boehlke talks about the need for innovators to break (the right) rules - coach to leaders ranging from executives to rural farmers in developing countries, and founder/President of SFB Associates.

Charles Bolden (invited) talks about the importance of innovation to NASA - pilot, astronaut, U.S. Marine Corps General officer, and NASA Administrator.

Christopher Bronk talks about Gov 2.0 and NASA as the next Google - diplomat, Baker Institute Fellow in Technology, Society and Public Policy, Rice University.

Charles Chafer talks about the power of public participation space missions - high-tech entrepreneur, pioneer of commercial space, CEO of Space Services Inc., founding partner of Team Encounter, LLC, and co-founder of Celestis, Inc.

Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz talks about looking beyond today’s propulsion technology - astronaut, inventor of the magnetoplasma rocket, entrepreneur, Chairman/CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company.

Nancy Conrad talks about designing the future and what to do when the pipeline is dry - entrepreneur, innovator, philanthropist, founder/CEO of the Conrad Foundation.

Dr. Dan Durda talks about barn-storming the space frontier - planetary scientist, pilot, diver, Senior Research Scientist at Southwest Research Institute.

Dr. Betty Sue Flowers talks about the myths that shape our world - consultant/editor for TV series and book The Power of Myth with Joseph Campbell, host of radio series The Next 200 Years, Director of the LBJ Presidential Library, strategy consultant.

Richard Garriott talks about TBA - video game developer, entrepreneur, space tourist, Vice-chairman of the Board for Space Adventures, and a Trustee of the X PRIZE Foundation.

John Gibson talks about “people fusion” and open innovation’s power to solve tough technical problems - President of Halliburton Energy Services, amateur rocketeer, Executive Chairman/CEO of Paradigm Ltd.

Wayne Hale talks about choosing the future - NASA flight director, Space Shuttle Program Manager, blogger, Deputy Associate Administrator of Strategic Partnerships.

Bryan Guido Hassin talks about how, with just a nudge, individuals can change their behavior dramatically for the good of the whole - Head of Global Operations at Poken, technology start-up entrepreneur, CEO of Enistic, Inc.

Thomas B. Pickens, III talks about commercial use of weightlessness to benefit humankind - chairman/CEO for many companies during startup, growth, and turnaround in a challenging environment, President/CEO of Astrotech Corp.

Will Pomerantz talks about revolution through competition - co-founder of SpaceAlumni.com, zero gravity coach, Senior Director of Space Prizes for the X PRIZE Foundation.

Dr. Howard Prince talks about ethics, leadership and spaceflight - U.S. Army General Officer, clinical psychologist, Director of LBJ School’s Center for Ethical Leadership, University of Texas.

Bob Rogers talks about public engagement in 2010, and being careful what you wish for - themed entertainment producer, inventor, futurist, Academy Award nominee, founder/Chairman of BRC Imagination Arts.

Joe Rohde, creator of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, talks about the use of narrative to create strategy and build teams - adventurer, Executive Designer and VP/Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering.

Dr. Evan Thomas talks about sustainable development powered by social innovation and space technology - NASA life support engineer, Engineers Without Borders-USA team member, entrepreneur.

Brett Williams talks about using rockets to teach and inspire high school students - marine biologist, teacher at Fredericksburg High School, founder of SystemsGo student launch program.

I had an opportunity to participate in a workshop hosted by the JSC Social Media Working Group at NASA Johnson Space Center today and thought I’d share the presentation I gave.  What’s interesting about this presentation is not so much how NASA is currently using social media, but how it might use social media in the future.  NASA has really embraced social media and is making great strides at engaging people in the NASA mission.  What I’m interested in, is how can NASA use social media in the future to further it’s mission. I posed this question to the audience (using an interactive online poll) by asking”What’s Next?”  It was a wide open question and I included a few of the answers below.  What do you think?  What’s Next?

–

“Bridging public to space workers and their environment, i.e., what exactly are you doing? How can I participate?”

“Really engaging in public outreach build connections!”

“Get our current workforce fully involved!”

“Using social media to fish for ideas to solve specific problems.”

“Moderated mission video that highlights several parts of the launch along with real time q&a with viewers and NASA experts”

“Virtual moon lab”

“Distributed telepresence exploration”

“I would love to be able to look at mission control and station consoles real time.”

“Open problems to the public to help NASA”

“Allow people to take space walks virtually”

“Make astronauts the rockstars that they are. NASA is so powerful it could be part of the cult of personality.”

“Public virtual presence on moon, Mars, beyond”,

“Unless the U.S. government gets behind U.S. HUMAN space exploration, the question of using social media is a mute point for space exploration”

NASA Facebook fans are a chatty bunch. We (NASA) post something of interest going on at NASA. Fans talk about it. They like it. They dislike it. They have an idea for how to change it. But, for the most part, they’re supportive of our efforts. It is, after all, a “fan” page. Lately I’ve noticed a few unhappy folks who post little “This is a waste of time” zingers. I really find it fascinating. If the information we’re posting is a waste of their time, why do they spend time on the NASA fan page?

I’m intrigued by the “waste of time” mentality.

When someone writes “This is a waste of time” on NASA’s Facebook wall about the Timbuktu image above, I have to wonder…as compared to what? Their frame of reference would be so telling. Wouldn’t it? For instance:

• Reading a book is a waste of time when you could be fishing.
• Fishing is a waste of time when you could be working.
• Working is such a waste of time when you could be spending time with family.
• Family time is such a waste when you could be traveling.
• Traveling is such a waste of time when you could be volunteering.
• Volunteering is such a waste of time when you could be making money to donate.

Look at the context in these examples. One choice is pitted against another. We tend to do that, don’t we?

Don’t we make judgments about choices others make based on our own value-based choices?

Here’s what I notice: we humans often expect others to share our views and values. If they don’t, we like to cast them as our enemy. We’re good. They’re bad. That simple. But really, it’s not simple at all. Just because I value something doesn’t mean you have to value it too. Yes, I’d LOVE everyone to agree with me on EVERYthing. But, I’m no less valid in my choices or opinions than you are in yours. (You’re probably shaking your head right now, thinking how I’m idealistic and unrealistic I am. You won’t be the first to think it.) Hear what I’m saying.

Life is all about balance.

We each bring to the table different and unique attributes for the greater whole. Synergy! The same goes for NASA. So, let’s explore how the federal government works, shall we?

Civics 101: The government exists to provide the public good. We fill the gap between:

1. the needs of the common man, and
2. profitably ventures attractive to commercial entities.

The pursuit of knowledge (i.e. NASA endeavors or basic science) isn’t profitable. But once we pursue the unknown, gain knowledge, and share what we’ve learned, THEN the opportunity exists for someone to take it and run all the way to the bank. For instance, what we’re learning about humans existing in long-duration space onboard Space Station, may help address the debilitating effects of osteoporosis on here on Earth. A drug company MAY use this information to manufacture sell an “antidote” to brittle bones. Yay for them! We discover knowledge that leads to a product that meets a need someone is willing to pay for. Or, IF the need is worthy and a commercial entity can’t make a profit, we’re back to the government providing it. The cycle circles back on itself.

Society = balance of public good + commerce.

In reality, the argument boils down to managing the appropriate balance among the nations’ priorities to best bring about public good.

Civics 101, Part 2: The White House and Congress determine the nation’s priorities.

1. The White House sets the agenda, and
2. Congress holds the purse strings.

NASA receives less than 1% of the federal budget. Even if I do say so myself, we accomplish aMAZing feats with that partial penny on every dollar given us by Congress.

What can YOU do with less than a penny?

So back to the question, is space a waste? Again I ask: as compared to what? Personally, I feel the time and energy I spend exploring unknown places or books or foods or experiences is never wasted. Every time I learn something new, I know more than I did the moment before. Even when the experiences are painful, I’m still wiser than before. Can that knowledge ever be wasted? What if I share what I learned with you, and it:

• saves you time,
• streamlines your effort,
• prevents harm, or
• gives you insight on places or people you’ll never see?

What we discover at NASA changes textbooks! Generations upon generations of humans will benefit from the sacrifice our nation made to fund the space program, in an effort to learn what we don’t know. In the meantime, our government also took care of housing for the homeless, education for students, subsidies for farmers, benefits for veterans, security of our borders, and so much more. We can debate the balance of funds distributed, but it was ALL in an effort to bring about the public good…as determined by the White House and Congress.

Civics 101, Part 3: Citizens, if you disagree with how your tax dollars are spent, you speak loudest through your right to vote (as opposed to a fan page on the internet).

In the meantime, I’ll see you on Facebook!

Crosspost on Bethbeck’s Blog.

Keith's note: TEDxNASA, openly promoted by its organizers (some of whom work at NASA LaRC) as being sponsored by NASA (NASA LaRC is listed as a formal host), have yet to explain how they will be giving out tickets. The tickets will supposedly available on 14 Nov - less than a week before the actual event. By waiting until the last minute, the organizers have all but precluded anyone from other parts of the country from making travel plans.

Apparently, however, a hand-picked select few have been invited - and they are Twittering about it and posting on Facebook. The organizers also refuse to publish any information as to how invited attendess were selected or who will speaking even though they have clearly been lining up speakers.

In addition, since there is limited seating, most taxpayers will not have access to the event as it unfolds. There has been some vague mention of videos being available after the event, but apparently the concept of streaming this event live is beyond their collective skillset. Curiously, the Gen Y digerati at NASA all profess to be supportive of openness, being inclusive, and live blogging and webcasting - everything.

According to a rotating notice on the website, NASA Deputy Adminstrator Lori Garver is speaking - this certainly confers a certain level of official NASA HQ support for the event as well. But I have now confirmed that Lori Garver is  speaking somewhere else on that date. Yet this message still appears on the website. Meanwhile LaRC PAO has been totally mute on this entire topic.

One would hope that the new NASA Advisory Council subcommittee on education and public outreach would look into events such like this and push the agency toward adopting a uniform policy of openness and full access - and not allow agency resources to be used on events that only a certain, select few people can benefit from.

A NASA Conference That No One Can Register For, earlier post

Former NASA official sentenced to probation, AP

"A former top NASA official has been sentenced to three years probation, six months of electronic monitoring and a $2,500 fine for breaking ethics laws. Courtney Stadd, of Bethesda, Md., was convicted of helping a consulting client get nearly $10 million of the space agency's funds."

Keith's note: Word has it from people who were in the courtroom today that someone from the JSC IG's office flew up from Houston so that he could be sitting in the front row in the courtroom as Stadd was sentenced.

Senate votes to restore NASA funding House cut, Houston Chronicle

"In a strong show of support for President Barack Obama's vision for NASA and manned space missions, the Senate agreed Thursday to hand over all that he asked for: $4 billion to build cutting-edge spacecraft as part of an $18.7 billion budget. The Senate voted 71 to 28 for a massive spending bill that would restore $670 million cut from manned space exploration by the House in June. The proposed spending still faces a strong test of wills as the Senate and House try to reach a budgetary compromise."

Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) for Streamlining the Processing of Experimental Permit Applications

"... the FAA is announcing the availability of the ROD for streamlining the environmental review of experimental permit applications for the launch and/or reentry of reusable suborbital rockets. The Federal action selected in the ROD is the FAA's issuance of experimental permits for the launch and reentry of reusable suborbital rockets from both FAA-licensed and non-licensed launch sites using the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Streamlining the Processing of Experimental Permit Applications (PEIS), to the maximum extent feasible, as the basis for determining the environmental consequences of issuing the permits."

NASA shuttle contractor cancels merit raises for all employees, Orlando Sentinel

"United Space Alliance, NASA's main shuttle contractor, told employees today that it will be canceling merit pay raises across the company next year in order to keep costs down as it tries to win new business after the agency mothballs the orbiter fleet in 2011. "The annual merit pay increases for 2010 for performance and things like that, we made the decision not to do that," said company spokesman Jeff Carr. "This really about protecting our rates to be competitive for future  follow on work."

X PRIZE Foundation and NASA Award $2 Million in Prizes to Masten Space Systems and Armadillo Aerospace

"Today, the X PRIZE Foundation along with NASA hosted an awards ceremony to culminate the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander X PRIZE Challenge (NGLLXPC). Masten Space Systems, led by David Masten, was awarded the top $1 million prize, while Armadillo Aerospace, led by id Software founder John Carmack, took home the second place prize of $500,000. The NGLLXPC was a partnership with NASA funding the $2 million in prize money as part of their Centennial Challenges program while the X PRIZE Foundation managed the competition which began in 2006."

Marc's note: NASA's Centennial Challenge for Power Beaming AKA the Space Elevator Games is now broadcasting live. Three teams are competing for up to $2 million in prize money. It is believed that one or more of the teams will win at least level one and perhaps level two prize money. The Spaceward Foundation organized and manages the event for NASA.

Marc's Update: The KC Space Pirates did not qualify in the morning window for either of the prizes. However Lasermotive of Seattle has officially qualified for the level 1 prize of $900,000 in their first window of the competition this afternoon. They are currently attempting another climb trying to qualify for the level 2 prize of $1.1 million. Other teams will have an opportunity to share in the prize money. To get a share of level 1 teams have to climb the 1 kilometer tether at an average of 2 meters per second and 5 meters per second for the level two prize.

Marc's Update: Competition is done for the day with Lasermotive having qualified for level 1 prize money of $900,000. The competition continues tomorrow through Friday.

Lasermotive Wins Share of the NASA Sponsored Power Beaming Challenge, The Space Elevator Reference (with video)

"The NASA sponsored Power Beaming Challenge, also known as the Space Elevator Games, is guaranteed to give out some prize money this year after a stellar performance by Team Lasermotive in the first day of the competition."

NASA JSC Solicitation: Hardware and Software Supporting the Maker Project

"The Crew and Thermal Systems Division, EVA Tools Branch (EC7) at the Johnson Space Center seeks to acquire contract support for a software/hardware development project for NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. The project supported is entitled "MAKER" and is pursuing an advanced manufacturing concept being developed and evaluated for deployment in future space exploration architectures requiring manufacturing capability in the spaceflight/mission environment."

Beyond Augustine II, Dennis Wingo

"In August of this year I wrote a missive concerning what happens after the Augustine report is released. Well, now that has happened, so what is next? The overall impression is that they did a good job technically in coming up with options and laying out the rational for the options. The concern is not there, the question is does this report provide to the president and NASA a viable path forward? In a curious move, the commission took a big risk and basically rejected one of the central directives from the White House (3d in the Scope and Objectives) which was: Fitting within the current budget profile for NASA exploration activities."

Strange Brew at LCROSS's Crash Site, Sky & Telescope

"All this speculation is intriguing -- but "Where's the beef?" you might ask. Colaprete assures me that all the instruments in the shepherding spacecraft got great results, and that the delay in revealing the compositional analyses stems from having lots of spectral signatures to sort through and categorize. Colaprete says some of these findings will be made public in a couple of weeks. (Don't be surprised if he announces that one of the spectrometers did, indeed, detect water in the plume.)"

Keith's note: With the "no change" period soon coming to an end 120 days after the swearing in of Charlie Bolden and Lori Garver, a number of people are worried about their jobs and/or the structure of their organization. True to form, Ed Weiler is trash talking people again - people who he fears might be considered as replacements, sacking advisory committee members (notice the change in science chairs on the NAC), etc. And with the soon-to-be-announced new MSL cost overruns and technical problems (possible bad batch of Titanium used and bad arm actuators) someone needs to get fingered as being at fault.

Given Charlie Bolden's personal code of conduct and the gentlemanly way that he seems to treat absolutely everyone he encounters, one has to wonder how long he is going to put up with this sort of "inside Washington" behavior - once word of it gets back to him. Stay tuned.

Pull the plug on Ares, editorial, Orlando Sentinel

"But even if the station gets a five-year extension, as it should, Ares I would be available to fly there for just three years under the best-case scenario envisioned by the Augustine committee. NASA has projected that developing Ares I and a crew capsule to accompany it will cost $35 billion, but the Government Accountability Office came up with an estimate of $49 billion. The Augustine committee predicted that the entire Constellation program, which includes Ares I, Ares V, the Orion capsule and the Altair lunar lander, will run $45 billion over budget."

NASA Blog: Constellation: Managers reevaluating Ares I-Y flight test

"Constellation program managers agreed to reevaluate the proposed Ares I-Y flight test during an Oct. 30 Control Board and plan to take the decision up the ladder to management at NASA Headquarters soon. The decision could result in the removal of the Ares I-Y flight from the manifest in order to better align test flights with evolving program objectives."

Keith's 29 October note: Given that the Constellation Program's Control Board decided last Friday to recommend canceling Ares 1-Y, reality seems to be descending upon the Ares 1 effort - despite the spin Jeff Hanley is trying to put on it.

NASA Drops Ares I-Y Flight-test, Aviation Week

"Hanley said on Nov. 3 he has recommended to NASA headquarters that the Ares I-Y test planned for March 2014 be canceled because the J-2X engine needed to propel the upper stage won't be ready in time to support that test date. The problem is money, he said. "Because of the cost-constrained environment that we've been in, I just cannot get an engine to that vehicle soon enough," Hanley said."

China general sees military space race, Financial Times

"China's air force chief has called military competition in space "inevitable", a departure from Beijing's past insistence that it is not pursuing space programmes for military purposes."

China's PLA eyes future in space, air: air force commander, Xinhua

"Calling militarization in the space and in air "a threat to the mankind," Xu said China must develop a strong force in the two arenas in order to face challenges of that threat. "Only power could protect peace," the 59-year-old air force commander said in an interview with Xinhua, 10 days ahead of 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA air force. Superiority in space and in air would mean, to a certain extent, superiority over the land and the oceans, Xu said."

Pentagon eyes crash analysis on 1,300 satellites, Reuters

"The U.S. military said on Tuesday it is now tracking 800 maneuverable satellites on a daily basis for possible collisions and expects to add 500 more non-maneuvering satellites by year's end."

Defense Acquisitions: Challenges in Aligning Space System Components, GAO

"Satellites, ground control systems, and user terminals in most of DOD's major space system acquisitions are not optimally aligned, leading to underutilized satellites and limited capability provided to the warfighter. Of the eight major space system acquisitions we studied, three systems anticipated that their satellites will be launched well before their associated ground control systems are fully capable of operating on-orbit capabilities."

NASA Ames Scientist to Demonstrate Cell Phone Chemical Sensor

"News media are invited to see a demonstration of first-generation laboratory prototypes of new technology that would bring chemical sensing capabilities to cell phones on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009. Jing Li has developed a device, designed to be plugged in to an iPhone, which collects sensor data and sends it to another phone or a computer via telephone communication network or Wi-Fi."

Keith's 29 October note: Well, it has been two days and I have not seen any stories on this. When I sent several requests to ARC PAO requesting the press release one would normally expect to follow-up such a media advisory - as well as images and video from the demonstration - I got nothing. Why put a media advisory out about something sexy and cool like this if you are not willing to do the work to follow up media interest?

Keith's 3 Nov note: I made multiple requests of NASA ARC for copies of standard 300 dpi copies images that show this new ARC device - the sort that you'd reguarly get with press releases (which of course ARC did not issue either). These are the sort of images used to make the large images common on many blogs today. At first ARC PAO did not reply. Then they told me that these little images [1][2] were the highest resolution ones they had (3.1 inches at 72 dpi). Then they said that the images had to be re-shot because this was the best that the scientist's camera could do. Really? For a PAO operation located in the middle of Silicon Valley, ARC PAO seems to be clueless as to how high tech media works just outside the ARC security gate. If you come up with a new gadget, people want to SEE the gadget - not teeny tiny images with no details. Indeed, some media may actually want to print these images.

This is the sort of image, at legible resolution, that NASA ARC PAO should be putting out - given that I only had a little low-res image, this is the best that I can do. This article at Gizmodo is the sort that someone could have written about this iPhone sensor 1. If ARC PAO actually put a press release out and 2. provided suitable media for publishers to use.

Another lost opportunity.

{ntbnoad}IOtech, Cleveland, OH, has released the 6000 Series data acquisition modules with
Encore software. The 6220 is a 12-channel, simultaneously sampled, 16-bit voltage
input module that features a 100-kHz per channel sample rate. It includes BNC
connectors for signal connection. The 6224 is a 12-channel, simultaneously sampled
strain gage input module with 24-bit resolution, and a 50-kHz per A/D, per channel
rate. It is 100 percent software-programmable, enabling easy strain setup and configuration.
Each module also includes 8 digital I/O channels. Systems can be used in a
central location or in distributed or remote configurations. Multiple modules can be
combined to build expandable, mixed-signal systems. The Encore interactive measurement
software features an intuitive user interface that allows users to configure
hardware, develop and customize data displays, analyze data with built-in analysis
tools, and develop comprehensive test reports.

For Free Info Visit http://info.hotims.com/22920-120