playing golf on the moon (with David Bowie)

Open source software for planning the lunar mission

Yet again, it looks like others are doing our homework for us:

"If an outhouse on the Moon ran out of toilet paper, an intrepid settler might have to waddle about 240,000 miles to get a fresh roll back on Earth.

To make sure that doesn't happen, scientists have developed a software tool that tracks and ensures a reliable stream of necessities from the Earth to the Moon.

Released this month, the computer model, called SpaceNet 1.3, will be critical, say the scientists, for establishing a human presence on the Moon by 2020, as laid out in the space vision by President George W. Bush in 2004."

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070323_lunar_traffic.html

Even better news is that this software looks like it's open source: http://spacelogistics.mit.edu/software_tour.htm

Let's dance: a podcast from space

Space shuttle astronaut Piers Sellers talks about doing the rumba in space. See http://blog.wired.com/podcasts/2006/07/rumba_with_the_.html?entry_id=1515710

Now even robots can get the 'yips'

"A device which may pave the way for robotic hands that can replicate the human sense of touch has been unveiled. US scientists have created a sensor that can "feel" the texture of objects to the same degree of sensitivity as a human fingertip."

see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5056434.stm

Whilst some may consider it to be cheating, I have for some time entertained the idea that it should be possible to play golf on the moon remotely. Simply send up two golfing robots and manipulate them from the safety of my own front room (or Bowie's front room if he wants). The news that these robots could have soft sensitive hands (and wrists?) bodes well for those tricky sand wedge shots that will inevitably be a large part of the lunar game.

p.s. what are the 'yips'? see http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/SA/00038.html:

"The yips are involuntary motions of the hand or wrist that can make effective putting all but impossible — even for the most experienced and talented golfers. The yips are most common during putts shorter than five feet. They're less likely during tee or iron shots. The yips tend to come and go, occurring more frequently during tournaments and competitive play. The yips can add more than four strokes to the average 18-hole score.

Who gets the yips? Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that 33 percent to 48 percent of all serious golfers have experienced the yips. Golfers who have played for more than 25 years appear to be most prone to the condition. And these involuntary movements may not be limited to golfers. Similar conditions affect other athletes, as well as musicians, health care workers — such as dentists — and others whose work involves detailed hand movements."

The eagle has landed

I am becoming a little concerned about Rob's deep interest in this project. He is now contributing more research material for this site than I am myself.

So entranced was he with watching space related googlevideo on his ipod whilst on the train that he missed his stop. I'm wondering whether to offer him the position of caddy (or perhaps Command Module pilot since there were always three people on NASA moon missions - two moonwalkers/golfers, one CM pilot/caddy) .

BTW his comments about my fear of flying are true but not necessarily relevent. Fear of flying with British Midland is a very different thing to the fear of flying into space.