Monthly Archives: July 2017

The BC Liberals should offer up one of their own for the job of Speaker – CBC.ca

Posted: July 8, 2017 at 9:36 pm

As the afterglow of forming a new government in British Columbia begins to wear off, the provincial NDP still has a problem on its hands: who will be in the Speaker's chair the next time the legislature meets?

It's a dilemma, but not an insoluble one. All three parties have an interest right now infinding a solution short of an election; B.C. voters have made it clear in polls that they have no appetite for another election immediately. If an early election comes, the party deemed responsible may well suffer a penalty at the ballot box, much as we saw in the recent U.K. general election. The Liberals should do their part to avoid an immediate election by offering up one of their own for the job of Speaker.

Arguably, the Liberals have a greater need to appear co-operative now given the way the party lost power. Premier Christy Clark went against both precedent and her own previously stated intentions when she asked Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to dissolve the legislature. Had Clark's request been granted, the province would be gearing up for an unwelcome summer election right now.

The other two parties might try to exploit the resulting vulnerability. Suppose no NDP or Green MLA stands for Speaker, perhaps citing deference to the convention of Speaker impartiality in doing so. Should no Liberal volunteer to stand for the job either, the party risks appearing serially uncooperative and election-seeking, more interested in the pursuit of power for its own sake than in the good governance of the province.

Beyond such tactical considerations, the Liberals have more fundamental problems. Most notably, they are in an ideological no-man's land right now. Having campaigned on its centre-right platform, the party not so much pivoted as cartwheeled to an entirely different agenda in their recentthrone speech.

If there's one thing that can derail a party for a couple election cycles, it's throwing into question its fundamental identity. Not knowing what the party truly stands for, many voters will be unwilling to trust any promises it makes. Even some core supporters may decide to sit out an election or two if they come to feel sufficiently alienated.

NDP takes power in British Columbia1:42

Accordingly, the party could use some time to get its house back in order. The clearest way to turn the page would be to find a new leader.Questions about Clark's have been swirling since her party's defeat in the legislature. No definitive answers have yet emerged, though some party supporters have expressed frustrations with the way in which the post-electoral situation played out.

That leads us back to the Speaker question. So long as the party remains on a war footing, it will be effectively impossible to carry out a leadership or thorough policy review, let alone a new leadership campaign.

If some faction of the Liberal party concludes that such reviews are in order, it could buy time to carry them out by putting forward a nominee for Speaker. There are other ways to accomplish the same effect negotiating Liberal support for certain bills and motions on anad hocbasis for instance but none with the same simplicity, freedom and predictability for the Liberals in opposition.

Certainly, there is ample precedent for an opposition member serving as Speaker when the situation calls for it. Long-time Liberal MP Peter Milliken served as Speaker for two successive federal Conservative governments, from 2006 until his retirement in 2011. He received widespread acclaim for his role in steering the Commons through a number of difficult situations.

Some Liberals will resist the idea of giving an inch to the new Green-supported NDP government, preferring instead to oppose everything right up to the point of election. Such obstruction comes with costs, however.

First, the Liberals will lose the chance to appear conciliatory in the eyes of the electorate, potentially undermining the party's pledge in the throne speech and elsewhere to cooperate in light of the close election. Such opposition would require them to somewhat awkwardly vote against other ideas they just proposed in their throne speech as well, deepening their ideological quandary as a result.

Perhaps most importantly, so long as the situation remains uncertain in Victoria, the Liberals must remain disciplined and loyal to their leader. They will lose the chance to engage in either a frank discussion of policy or a leadership review.

Simply put, the Liberals face a choice: obstruct or reorganize. They cannot do both simultaneously.

If a Liberal did stand for Speaker, the party would gain a measure of leverage over the government with the ever-present threat of withdrawal. Solve the NDP's problem in the present, and gain the ability to create a new headache for them down the road one that could well trigger an election at a more convenient time for the Liberals, or force the NDP down the contentious and potentially costly road of Speaker partisanization.

Call it a win-win-win. Everyone stands to benefit in the short term from the stability provided by a Liberal Speaker including the Liberals themselves.

This column is part ofCBC'sOpinion section.For more information about this section, please read thiseditor'sblogandourFAQ.

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The BC Liberals should offer up one of their own for the job of Speaker - CBC.ca

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Focal Reveals the Next Generation of Its Flagship Utopia Speakers – Robb Report

Posted: at 9:32 pm

Launched in 2008 and expanding incrementally ever since, the flagship Utopia III line of speakers from French audio manufacturer Focal has now been joined by an upgraded special-edition range dubbedappropriately enoughEvo. The new collection currently comprises two variations, the Scala Evo and the Maestro Evo, both of which retain the stunning design vocabulary of their forebears while offering technological upgrades to help audiophiles get the most out of their systems.

Both floor-standing speakers share the same basic layout as their respective cousins from the standard Utopia line. The Scala Evo (the smaller of the two models) is equipped with a 10.6-inch subwoofer, a beryllium inverted dome tweeter, and a newly improved version of Focals proprietary Power Flower midrange driver, all of which occupy their own, isolated sections of the cabinet. The Maestro is equipped with the aforementioned drivers as well as four additional woofers with a Magnetic Dampening System that allows the bass to adjust to the specific dimensions of the room the speaker occupies.

The Evos also have upgraded crossovers and the gauge of their cabling has been increased by 20 percent to reduce distortion. However, the new feature that will be music to hardcore hi-fi geeks ears is the support for bi-amplification, in which a single speaker is connected to two amplifiers: one that handles high and mid-range frequencies and a second amp for low frequencies. This affords discerning listeners greater control over their system and allows them to fine-tune the sound according to their personal preference.

Since its introduction, the Utopia line has been noted for its aesthetic appeal, and the Evos are no exception. The speaker is arranged in a slightly curved stack, with each type of driver housed in its own enclosure. The Evos differentiate themselves, however, with brand new set of three finish colors inspired by the automotive industry: British Racing Green, Metallic Blue, and Ash Gray. (Carrara White and Black Lacquer are also available for traditionalists.)

Though pricing for the two new models has not yet been announced, Focal expects to start offering the Evo for sale next month.

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Hogan says he opposes offshore drilling as state raises concerns about seismic testing – The Star Democrat

Posted: at 9:28 pm

(TNS) Gov. Larry Hogan said this week hes against gas drilling off of Marylands coast, and as President Donald Trumps administration considers seismic testing to search for energy reserves, state officials are asking the federal government to more closely study its impact.

The Trump administration last month sought permission under federal wildlife protection laws to use loud air guns to collect data on potential sites for offshore oil and gas production.

Im not in favor of offshore drilling, Hogan told reporters Thursday, adding that there are many hurdles before it could come close to reality. The Republican governor had not previously taken a public stance on offshore drilling, which had been shelved under former President Barack Obama. Hogan has sometimes declined to weigh in on Trump administration policies.

Mark Belton, Hogans secretary of Natural Resources, sent a request to federal wildlife officials asking for a review of how seismic testing could harm whales, dolphins and turtles, commercial fisheries and recreational activity.

Five energy companies had asked for permission to perform the seismic tests, which involve firing intense blasts of compressed air.

Public comments on the permit applications were set to be due Thursday, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this week extended the deadline to July 21.

Belton told NOAA officials the states concerns include potential impacts to the commercial and recreational fisheries, and the health and welfare of marine mammals and wildlife.

Maryland municipalities such as Ocean City and Berlin have also expressed their objections through local resolutions against seismic testing that show cause for further consultation and review, he added.

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Howth’s ‘Flashback’ Moves Into Offshore Contention at Dun Laoghaire Regatta – Afloat

Posted: at 9:28 pm

A sea breeze brought changes to the leader board in several classes in the penultimate day of Ireland's biggest sailing regatta, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Dublin Bay today.

One contender for tomorrow's (Sunday) top prize of the 'Volvo Boat of the Regatta Trophy' is a Howth Yacht Club yacht that took the lead in the biggest class this afternoon. Paddy Gregory's Flashback now tops the IRC offshore division after three coastal races sailed.

A promising eight to 10 knot southeasterly wind got racing for all 475 boats in 35 classes off to a solid start this morning and it held all day to keep the ambitious programme of more than 290 races on target for tomorrow's final round two rounds in most classes.

The Gregory led 31-boat IRC offshore fleet departed Scotsman's Bay bound for North Burford, the turning mark on the 20mile course.

The north Dublin Beneteau 34.7 is six points clear overall of Chris PowerSmith's much J122 Aurelia in the 31boat fleet even though PowerSmith was the winner of this afternoon's race.

2015 VDLR Champion WOW (George Sisk) heads for the offshore class inharbour finish line

Followed on the water by Chris Power Smith's Aurelia, the IRC rating winner

After a 20mile race, the offshore fleet were tightly bunched as they headed for the finish line in front of the Royal St. George Yacht Club

A single race tomorrow morning will decide the offshore title and also the Jack Ryan Whiskey Royal Dee Irish Sea Offshore Championship that is being sailed as part of the Dun Laoghaire Championships.

Dun Laoghaire Commodores afloat: Regatta vice chairman Don O'Dowd (third from left) with (from left) Commodores Paul Sherry of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Ronan Beirne of the National Yacht Club and Michael Pomeroy of the Royal St. George Yacht Club carry out a check of all six race courses

On the centre course, Classes Zero, One and Two completed three further races over windwardleeward courses under Race Officer Peter Crowley.

Dark Angel was fast off the line this morning in Class Zero

Jay Colville's Forty Licks from East Down Yacht Club has moved into the overall lead of the fiveboat Class Zero fleet even though she shares the same eight points as onetime leader Dark Angel (Tony Ackland) from Swansea.

Royal Irish Yacht Club yachts top the leaderboard in 29boat Class One with John Maybury's J109 Joker II another contender for yacht of the regatta still leading but on a reduced margin of just three points after Richard Goodbody's J109 White Mischief had a standout performance to count a 1,2 and 3 today. Goodbody now moves up to second overall on 12 points. J109s complete the podium places with Ronan Harris's Jigarmee 21 points off the lead.

A crowded committee boat end in this morning's first race of class two eventually got clean away (below)

In the 17boat Class two, Howth Yacht Club's Dave Cullen sailing the modified Halftonner Checkmate has overtaken visiting Scottish HalfTonner Trastada (skippered by Angus Roddy). Cullen who has six results in the top five and counted two race wins today for an eight point margin over the Clyde vintage yacht that dropped to as low as eighth in this afternoon's race six. In what is looking ery much like a battle of the Half tonners overall, the 2015 Volvo Regatta Class Two Champion Jonny Swan in Harmony is third.

Scotland's Trastada lost the overall class two lead today after three windward-leeward races

There is no change at the top of IRC three where another Howth Yacht, Richard Colwell's Fusion continues to dominate with four race wins from seven starts in the eight boat fleet. Howth Yacht Club boats occupy the top four spots with X302s Dux (Anthony GoreGrimes) and Maximus (Paddy Kyne) second and third respectively.

In IRC four, Jonathan Flood's Modified Formula 28 Flash from Bray Sailing Club leads Cartoon (Ken Lawless) by a point and half after eight races sailed in the 15boat fleet.

Jonathan Flood's Modified Formula 28

Ken Lawless's Cartoon is second overall in class four

2015 Class four VDLR champion Cri Cri (Paul Colton)

In the one design classes, only half a point after eight races separates St Spence's Clyde based Carna and Andrew Bradley's Chinook from the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

27 GP14s are contesting the class Leinster Championships as part of VDLR 2017

The GP14 Leinster Championships are being lead by Fergus Barnham from Nantwich, UK with Sutton Dinghy Club's Alan Blay in second after six races sailed. Greystones Sailing Club's GP14 World Champion Shane MacCarthy lies third in the 27boat fleet.

An immaculate weather spinnaker hoist from Alan Blay

2004 470 Olympians Ross Killian and Ger Owens back together in a GP14 on Dublin Bay

A fine fleet of 20 Sigma 33s are contesting the Irish Class Championships as part of the Regatta

The 1720 Heros and Villans (Gary Rhodes) from Royal Cork Yacht Club is third in the mixed sportsboat class

Results are provisional and subject to protest.

Full results in all 35 classes are available here

The 2017 regatta concludes tomorrow with two final races for most classes.

Flying Fifteen and Mermaid (bottom) fleets are racing on the Salthill course

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UK, Norway to lift ban on offshore flights of 2 Super Puma helicopters – Reuters

Posted: at 9:28 pm

LONDON Britain and Norway plan to lift a ban on offshore flights using two types of Super Puma helicopters, 17 months after a fatal crash in Norway.

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Friday both countries intended to lift national restrictions that remained in place after European authorities declared the helicopters safe to fly last October.

Europe grounded theH225LP and AS332L2 helicopters, built by Airbus Helicopters, after 13 passengers and crew were killed when the rotors flew off their aircraft in April last year.

The decision to extend the safety clearance to Britain and Norway follows "extensive investigation, testing and changes to the helicopter and its maintenance," the CAA said in a statement.

Flights will not resume immediately, however.

"A plan of checks, modifications and inspections needs to be undertaken before any flights take place," the CAA said.

"It will also be for operators and their customers to decide whether they wish to re-introduce the helicopters to service"

Norwegian oil company Statoil said in December it would stop using H225 Super Puma helicopters for good.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Mark Potter)

NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Sheila Michaels, a feminist who spread the modern usage of the title "Ms." as a way to denote a woman's independence, has died in New York at age 78, prompting an outpouring of tributes on social media.

WASHINGTON Many of the major risks U.S. banks face lay beyond their control, according to a review released by banking's top federal regulator on Friday that found the sector's financial performance remains strong.

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The real value of space travel is recognising the beauty of our planet – New Statesman

Posted: at 9:26 pm

In a 1980s Kenny Everett sketch, Spider-Man rushes to a urinal only to find that his bodysuit allows no facility to relieve himself making him, in effect, a spider without a fly. Such a scene wouldnt be amiss in Spider-Man: Homecoming, which thrives on the same spirit of nutty irreverence.

The superhero life is anything but slick for the 15-year-old Peter Parker (Tom Holland), who strips down to his boxers in a grungy alley and struggles laboriously into his costume. Swinging through the neighbourhood, he frightens small children, collides with dustbins and accidentally brings a tree house crashing to the ground. Adversaries offer gentle advice even as he apprehends them. You gotta get better at this part of the job, says one.

Even the most accommodating superhero fan will experience arachno-fatigue at the prospect of yet another iteration of theSpider-Man story the fourth in total and the third in 15 years. Do we have to go through all that boy-gets-bitten-by-radioactive-spider palaver again? Well, no. Spider-Man: Homecoming dives straight into Peters life after he is earmarked for membership of the superhero UN that was introduced in Avengers Assemble.

The main threat now comes from a former construction boss who steals a toxic alien chemical (see previous Marvel movies for details), with which he manufactures weapons. Its unclear how this fits with his hobby of wearing clattering steam-punk wings Spider-Man refers to him as Flying Vulture Guy but the casting of Michael Keaton is a double in-joke, allowing the actor, in essence, to reprise the character from his 2014 comedy Birdman, which was in turn an allusion to his baleful Batman.

Spider-Man: Homecoming doesnt overhaul a tired franchise so much as dust off its cobwebs. Peters previously homely Aunt May is played by the sassy Marisa Tomei, though she does little more than get swooned over by the male cast. One smart move was to cast an actual young person as the hero. Tobey Maguire (27 when he first played Spider-Man) and Andrew Garfield (29) were the oldest high-schoolers since Grease. But Holland, who was 19 when he made his debut in the role last year in Captain America: Civil War, has a goody-two-shoes gaucheness. When he opts for the Interrogation Mode setting on his hi-tech suit, the gravelly voice that emerges from his mouth seems like just another unpredictable symptom of adolescence. (As Captain America says in one of the splendidly corny educational videos shown at Peters school: So, your bodys changing. Believe me, I know how that feels . . .)

Spider-Man movies have been here before both Maguire and Garfield were shown losing control of their web-shooters in a sticky metaphor for the adolescent male body. But the new picture extends its curiosity to the other youngsters in Peters orbit, all misfits on the academic decathlon team. The jolly Ned (Jacob Batalon) is bursting with questions: Do you lay eggs? Can you summon a spider army? The peevish Flash (Tony Revolori) leads disparaging chants about Peter while DJ-ing. Richest of all is the laconic, politically clued-up Michelle (Zendaya), who wears a Sylvia Plath T-shirt and attends detention because she likes to sketch people in crisis.

The superhero genre hasnt previously been a hotbed of diversity, but each of these bright sparks has a different ethnic background. What matters more is that they have been invested with a level of detail that leaves the usual conventions of the superhero movie looking superannuated. When Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr) also known as Iron Man shows up for several scenes of smug preening, he doesnt have an ounce of Neds gawky charisma. When Spider-Man has to keep the Staten Island Ferry from sinking, or dodge Flying Vulture Guys laser cannons, its hard not to wonder how Michelle is spending her evening.

Holed up in their corporate headquarters, the Avengers are pass, their concerns and conflicts remote. Its time for a movie about their infinitely more interesting human counterparts Academic Decathlon Team Assemble.

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Green Bay Packers: Joe Callahan continues ascension at QB – Chippewa Herald

Posted: at 9:23 pm

GREEN BAY As underdog training-camp narratives go, Joe Callahans improbable run for a spot on the Green Bay Packers 53-man roster last summer has to rank among the more compelling since the teams renaissance began 25 years ago.

While there have been plenty of other out-of-nowhere stories cornerback Tramon Williams 2007 ascension is up there, too and other longshots who earned their keep with unexpectedly impressive preseason performances, Callahan was supposed to be little more than a camp arm last year.

Coach Mike McCarthy had decided to limit two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers preseason snaps, and hed earmarked the extra exhibition playing time for young backup Brett Hundley not some 6-foot-nothin, Division III unknown.

But when an ankle injury limited Hundley to just seven preseason passes, Callahan shined so much so that McCarthy was telling everyone by camps end how Callahan had earned a spot on the team as the No. 3 quarterback. (How the hell does he not make the team? McCarthy asked rhetorically and forcefully after Callahan made it). And more than a few longtime observers couldnt help but see some Brett Favre-ian improv in the kids game.

A year later, Callahan is preparing for his second NFL training camp the Packers first practice is in three weeks, on July 27 with an eye on being more than just a heartwarming story going forward.

I still have to prove myself, Callahan said during organized team activity practices last month. I need to show how much Ive improved.

Callahan did just that during the spring quarterback school and OTA practices, and itll be interesting to see how good the Packers feel about Callahan if Hundley puts together an impressive enough preseason to attract trade suitors. It seems unlikely theyd turn the No. 2 job over to him if they moved Hundley when Hundley started drawing interest during the April NFL Draft, the Packers reportedly were planning to bring in a veteran to replace him but after what Callahan did last year, who can bet against him?

To know where he came from, trying just to get somebody to look at him, to see him go from there to where he finished and what he did, for me, knowing Joe personally, it was awesome, Hundley said. Knowing it was my playing time, its frustrating to a point. But its also intriguing to me when you can see somebody grow from where he started to where he finished. That was awesome.

As much as the Packers liked Callahan, they actually bid him adieu last Oct. 13 when injuries forced them to shuffle the roster. The team waived him with the intention of signing him to the practice squad when he went unclaimed, and McCarthy, who didnt want Callahan cut to begin with, was livid when the New Orleans Saints claimed his pet project.

Callahan spent just over a week with the Saints before being released, but then the Cleveland Browns claimed him and kept him on their 53-man roster for more than a month before cutting him on Nov. 29.

The Packers finally got him back on the practice squad on Dec. 2, then promoted him onto the 53-man roster again on Dec. 17, keeping him there through the end of the year.

As well as Callahan played last summer he completed 54 of 88 passes (61.4 percent) for 499 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions (88.2 rating) he was playing mostly on the instinct and play-making knack he showed in college at Wesley College in Dover, Del. As a three-year starter for the Wolverines, Callahan went 33-7 and threw for 12,852 yards and 130 touchdowns, including 5,068 yards and 55 touchdowns in 2015, when he won the Gagliardi Trophy, the Division III equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

Scrambling and making something out of nothing was a key part of Callahans college production, and the Packers coaches like that aspect of his game. But the next step is for him to make more plays while doing so within the framework of the offense.

Thats a big part of it. Second year, you can go through any read in the offense and hell spit the read right out to you. So hes picking it up, quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said. He just has to continue to do what hes doing.

Hes growing. His footwork has gotten a lot better, his understanding of the offense has gotten better in his second year. Just continue to do that and then show it in the preseason when he gets to play.

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Sorry Veep, America already leads the world in space by a large … – Ars Technica

Posted: at 9:22 pm

Enlarge / Vice President Mike Pence speaks at Kennedy Space Center on Thursday.

NASA

If President Donald Trump has had one consistent message about space exploration both during his campaign and presidency, it's that America is doing badly in space. About a year ago during a campaign stop in Daytona Beach, Florida, Trump said, "Look what's happened with our whole history of space and leadership. Look what's going on, folks. We're like a third-world nation."

As Vice President Mike Pence has assumed duties over space policy, he has made a respectable effort to tour NASA and Air Force facilities around the country. But during these visits, he's also reiterated this Debbie Downer message. When he delivered a speech Thursday at Kennedy Space Center, Pence saidthat under the Trump administration, America will lead in space "once again" no less than eighttimes.

The subtext here is that America has fallen far behind in spaceand that it needs strong leadership to get back on its feet. While there are definitely significant problems with US space policystarting with the lack of a clear direction for human spaceflight and the funding to support those goalsno other nation can come close to the United States in space. Moreover, because of the long lead times baked into aerospace development, almost every "accomplishment" that demonstrates American leadership in space during the next 3.5 years will have startedlong before President Trump took office.

That said, here's a rundown of how America already leads in space.

With the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011, the most powerful rocket in the world is now the Delta IV Heavy, manufactured and flown by the Colorado-based United Launch Alliance. It can heft 28.8 tons to low Earth orbit. Almost everything about the rocket, from its payload fairing to engines, is American made. Since its first flight in 2003, the Delta IV Heavy has flown nine successful missions without a hitch. The world's next most powerful booster is China's Long March 5 rocket, with a capacity of 25 tons to low Earth orbit. It has flown just twice: once successfully and once with a catastrophic failure.

Soon, probably by the end of this year, California-based SpaceX will debut its Falcon Heavy rocket. According to the company, this rocket will have a lift capacity of up to 63.8 tons to low Earth orbit. By around 2019 or 2020, NASA should fly its Space Launch System rocket, with 70 tons of capacity. Around the same time, Washington-based Blue Origin intends to debut the New Glenn rocket with a lift capacity of 45 tons. No other rocket under development in another country will have close to this lift capacity.

NASA has successfully landed eight of nine missions sent to the surface of Mars, culminating with the 1-ton Curiosity lander in 2012. Only its Mars Polar Lander failed to safely reach the surfacein 1999. Two more landers will be launched by the end of the decade, and SpaceX may send one or two private, uncrewed missions to Mars as well.

No other country can remotely boast about such a record. Four of five Soviet Union landers failed to reachMars safely, and the one that did, Mars 3 in 1971, survived for only about 15 seconds. In addition, there have been a number of failed Soviet and Russian attempts to reach the Martian moon Phobos. Europe also tried to land a spacecraft on Mars twice, and both were lost during the process.

NASA has explored the outer Solar System with Pioneer 10 and 11, Voyager 1 and 2, the Galileo and now Juno missions to the Jupiter system, Cassini to Saturn, and New Horizons to Pluto and beyond. It's amazing to contemplate the fact thateverysingle probeNASA has sent into the outer Solar System has been a success. In this, NASA has a perfect record with missionsno other space agency has even sought to attempt. The US also has numerous other missions en route to their targets, or under development, including more asteroid probes and a lander for Jupiter's intriguing moon Europa.

By contrast, Russia hasnot had a successful interplanetary mission in more than three decades, since 1984s launch of Vega 2, a probe to Venus and Halleys Comet. The Soviet Union and Russia, moreover, have never flown beyond Mars.

The European Space Agency has participated in two NASA missions that have gone beyond the asteroid belt. The first, Ulysses, made two distant flybys of Jupiter during a mission that focused primarily on observing the Sun. NASA managed development of the second mission, Cassini, which has had a spectacular run of observing the Saturn system overthe last decade. As part of that mission, the European Space Agency's Titan lander was mostly successful.

Thanks to commercial investment, as well as support from NASA for SpaceX through commercial crew and cargo contracts, the United States has a definitive lead in what is probably the most exciting new technology in spaceflightvertical takeoff and vertical landing of rocket boosters. The promise of these reusable launch systems is low cost, high frequency access to space, and the opening of the frontier for commercialization, national security, and perhaps settlement.

An Air Force University study recently found that the United States has a definitive lead in these technologies thanks to SpaceX and Blue Origin, but the study warnedthat countries such as China could copy these ideas and surpass the United States if strategic government investments are not made.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, alone, is putting about $1 billion of his own money into his rocket company, Blue Origin. In 2015, Google invested $900 million in SpaceX. Factoring in venture capital, we can conservatively estimate that private investors arenow putting about $2 billion a year into the US space industry. Compare that to Russia's annual budget for all space activities, including the maintenance of decades-old rockets, which is about $2 billion per year.

This is the "secret sauce" of US success in space: billions of dollars flowing to new, innovative ideas for spaceflight and activities in space.Other countries have nationalized space programs, with large bureaucracies. America has that, too, with NASA (which is funded to a far greater degree than any other government program). But it also has unfettered capital chasing dreams like asteroid mining.

NASA has nurtured this process, too. It has opened up its segment of the International Space Station for research and as a platform to launch cubesats. It has helped Bigelow Aerospace test a new inflatable space habitat. NASA has supported companies like Made in Space to experiment with in-space manufacturing. Finally, through its commercial cargo and crew programs, NASA has enabled private companies like SpaceX, Orbital ATK, Boeing, and Sierra Nevada to develop a new, modern fleet of spacecraft.

NASA gets a bad name for the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011, and indeed it has been painful to rely on Russia for a ride to the International Space Station since then. However, this doesn't mean NASA has abdicated the lead in spaceflight. Within two years, the United States should have not one but two human-rated spacecraftSpaceX's Dragon and Boeing's Starliner. This will be thanks to a program originally conceived by the George W. Bush Administration and aggressively pursued by President Obama in the face of opposition from some congressional Republicans. Additionally, adeep space capsule, Orion, may be ready for humans by 2023.

Despiteall of its "America will lead in space once again" talk, the Trump administration has the potential to do some good with its revitalized National Space Council. When he wasn't saying America was behind in space, Pence on Thursday noted many of the accomplishments of the US commercial space industry.

If the new administration standardizes and simplifies regulations for these companies, allows NASA and the US military to make prudent investments, sets achievable goals for human spaceflight, embraces international partners rather than excludes them with an "America first" attitude, and continues to support planetary exploration without gutting Earth science, America's already considerable lead in space exploration can become insurmountable.

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Cosmic Gate Announce New Album ‘Materia Chapter.Two’ – Trance Hub (satire) (press release) (blog)

Posted: at 9:19 pm

As with all good stories, as one chapter closes, another opens. Such is the way in the already singles-rich chronicle of Materia Cosmic Gates episodic seventh album project. Following the considerable success of Januarysimpressive roots return(DJ Mag)made for the clubs(MIXMAG) maiden Chapter, today sees Materia enter its second, entrancing phase.

Through winter and spring, its producers, singers and songwriters have burnt themidnightstudio oil bright to bring you nine incredible new Materia creations. One glance at Chapter.Twos production team-ups is certain to put a smile on the lips of every serious trance lover. Ever pictured what a Cosmic Gate x Markus Schulz outing would sound like? Or imagined what would happen if CG met Super8 & Tab in the studio? Well heres where your thoughts become things! After the WYM-born club smash Sometimes They Come For More, youre also in line for No Strings Attached their return match with Arnej. Song-based collaborations naturally abound too, with new music backed by many a respected voice. Through If Not Now and Materias title track, JES makes two appearances. After their Chapter.One turns, Eric Lumiere and Alastor both return and following 2014s Sparks After The Sunset, Sarah Lynn is back too, with Folded Wings.

Singles-wise, the album signs in this very day with the ether-soaked haunt of Tonight(available here). After Wake Your Minds Be Your Sound and Start To Feels Going Home, those wondering whether Materias odyssey would come to feature Emma Hewitts touch need wonder no more! Given its debut by Armin on ASOT821, the mood-infused beguiler comes packed with emotional reach throughout its verses, brilliantly balanced by elevation in its chorus. For those pre-ordering Chapter.Two (which youre able to do this very momenthereabouts, Tonight will pop as part of the three pre-release instant-grat tracks, carrying you through to itsSeptember 1strelease.

For fans wanting to get physical with Materia, theres equally fine news. 01.09.17 also sees the release of the double CD edition of the album, which contains all the tracks from both album chapters. You can find it available to pre-order now at the end of this link:now via this link. And if all of that isnt quite, quite enough to satisfy your most Cosmic cravings, Nic & Bossi have also built a beyond-deluxe, limited edition Collectors version of Materia. It includes the double CD, a 12 vinyl of am2pm and No Strings Attached, a Cosmic Gate flag and Materia poster, along with a set of white and black wristbands. Limited to just 500 numbered & signed units, you can pin yours down now through FineNight.comhere.

Cosmic Gate: Materia Chapter Two tracklist:

01. Cosmic Gate & JES Materia 02. Cosmic Gate & Emma Hewitt Tonight 03. Cosmic Gate & Super8 & Tab Noom 04. Cosmic Gate & Eric Lumiere Bigger Than We Are 05. Cosmic Gate & Markus Schulz AR 06. Cosmic Gate & Alastor Someday 07. Cosmic Gate & JES If Not Now 08. Cosmic Gate & Sarah Lynn Folded Wings

Co-Founder of Trance Hub, Curator of The Gathering events in India and ALT+TRANCE in Czech Republic. By day, a Digital Marketing Enthusiast with love for Food and Technology. By night, a dreamer who wants to grow the Trance scene in India.

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