playing golf on the moon (with David Bowie)

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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

March 23, 2007 in Lunar Sport/Leisure, Transportation, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

July 07, 2006 in Transportation, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

June 12, 2006 in Golf, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

February 27, 2006 in Transportation, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Relevant Links

  • Tim's Other Blog
  • The X Prize Foundation
  • Space Future
  • NASA
  • Learn About Golf
  • Guardian Unlimited Space Exploration Report
  • Golf Online
  • European Space Agency
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Soundtrack

  • David Bowie - Word On A Wing

    Word On A Wing
    David Bowie: Station To Station

    "Does my prayer fit in with your scheme of things?"

  • David Bowie - Let's Dance

    Let's Dance
    David Bowie: Let's Dance

    "under the moonlight, the serious moonlight"

  • David Bowie - What In The World

    What In The World
    David Bowie: Low

    "I'm just a little bit afraid of you"

  • David Bowie - Hang On To Yourself

    Hang On To Yourself
    David Bowie: Bowie at the Beeb

    "If you think we're going to make it, you better hang on to yourself"

  • David Bowie - Oh You Pretty Things

    Oh You Pretty Things
    David Bowie: Hunky Dory

    "All the nightmares came today"

  • David Bowie - I Took A Trip on A Gemini Spaceship

    I Took A Trip on A Gemini Spaceship
    David Bowie: Heathen

    "And I thought about you"

  • David Bowie - Rock N Roll Suicide

    Rock N Roll Suicide
    David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust

    "You're not alone"

  • David Bowie - Boys Keep Swinging

    Boys Keep Swinging
    David Bowie: Lodger

    "Learn to drive and everything"

  • David Bowie - Time

    Time
    David Bowie: Aladdin Sane

    "I had so many breakthroughs"

  • David Bowie - Joe the Lion

    Joe the Lion
    David Bowie: Heroes

    "Get me to the doctors"

  • David Bowie - Because You're Young

    Because You're Young
    David Bowie: Scary Monsters

    "These pieces are broken"

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