US Shuttle vs Russia's Shuttle

Wow do these look a lot a like.



With all the news about the shuttle these days I thought I'd so some research on it this weekend. Some of the questions I looked up were -

1. Didn't Russia have a shuttle program?
Answer - Yes they did. It even flew in space and landed autonomously (without a human on board). Although they only did this one time because of budget constraints. Feel free to search for it under "Buran" or click the link I've inserted below.

2. If so what did they use for a heat shield?
Answer - Basically the same as the US counter parts. Keep reading.

3. What did they use as a propulsion system?
Answer - It's a long answer but they didn't install a huge engine on the shuttle like the US did, basically they relied soly on booster rockets. One interesting point I learned here is at the time they didn't know how to build solid rocket boosters like the US shuttles so they used the same technology from other rockets they built.

4. Could we borrow from their technology?
Answer - What for, they designed their shuttle from the blueprints of the US shuttle. For the most part the technology is the same with some improvements. If you're interested feel free to search for "Russian Shuttle" on google or click this link http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/spacecraft/q0153.shtml

Last 10 day recap

I've been on travel for the last 10 days or so. Jen and I flew into Minnesota 2 Thursdays ago. Jen went to visit her family and I spent the next couple of days in Alexandria for guys weekend. As usual it was a blast. Lot's of drinking and holdem. The temp was hot for MN so hitting the water was great (Although the heat was nothing like FL). Golf was not so great since I didn't bring my clubs, I ended up renting clubs. I can honestly say that good clubs will make a difference in one's golf game. Sleeping was rough, Josh is the loudest snorer I've ever heard and I don't think I slept an hour the first night. I ended up sleeping on the kitchen floor to avoid the noise. Scott brought some of the best tasting steaks I've had in a long time.


The great cigar at guys weekend

After guys weekend Jen and I went to a wedding dance and surprised everyone. Nobody expected us there. It was pretty cool to see the work gang again. I'm getting anxious to get back to MN again to hang out.

Last week I spent in Keystone Colorado for a work conference. The longest time I've spent in the Mountains before then was driving through Montana on my way to Seattle. Keystone is 12,500 Ft above sea level. I was winded after climbing a flight of stairs from the lack of oxygen. The first two days I had a constant headache but I fought it and eventually I felt fine on Wednesday. After eating dinner on Wednesday Josh bet me $100 that I couldn't climb a ski hill in under 45 minutes. There was a DJ setting up and he went in on the bet too and he chipped in $60. I'm not sure how high it was but I've never been so winded in my life climbing the hill. I made it in 17 minutes. I had a large group from the conference cheering me on and a couple guys marched up the hill with me in case I had a heart attack. Although they said they wouldn't give me CPR so I would've been screwed either way. They were breaking record high temps in CO during the week which I found interesting considering it was barely 50 degrees in the morning. In FL it barely gets into the 70's at night. Living in the mountains would be so awesome. It's one of the last places in the country that hasn't been over run by people.


Half way up the ski hill


Partying after the climb

Thursday was my first experience in white water rafting. Although I thought it would be a lot rougher than it was, it ended up being a great time. I was talking smack to the guide that I'd throw her in when she got sick of it and pushed me in. The water was a super cold 50 degrees but it felt good. When we were close to the end I jumped in the water and pulled the guide in with me. Revenge was sweet.

Friday was awesome touring the facilities where Lockheed assembles the Atlas V rockets. I wish I could've brought a camera in there. The facilities are as clean as a hospital in some areas. And it was cool to see the Russian rocket engines that are used to power the rockets.

We eventually got to the airport around 1:30. My flight wasn't until 6:30pm. That's a long time to wait for a plane and it didn't help when I finally got on the plane I had to sit by a guy that had major BO. But I made it home alright and now it's back to the grind tomorrow.

Dennis was no menace here this time around

The hurricane passed by us in the gulf. Although we got hit by a couple of so called feeder bands which are smaller storms that swirl around the eye of the storm. I took a short video of one of the storms but it's probably not worth posting here. Co-workers said last year one of the hurricanes that was heading north through the gulf took a easternly turn and nailed a community just south of here. The hurricane really put a damper on the weekend. We just sat in our condo the entire weekend. So that's pretty much the weekend update.

Pregnant Wife Syndrome

I learned something new the other day. Don't run out of milk. Here's a snipplet from an email my wife sent me.

Now my ? is when the heck did we drink all the milk???? Last night already or did you use the last of it this am. I walked all the way to the store to get cereal and fruit because we were out when I got back to get a bowl of cereal I found out we were out of milk. I am not mad just a little bummed because I really don't want to walk back in this hot weather. I feel like poop yet too so this hot weather makes it that much worse. Oh well. I am sorry. I am done griping now. You just normally say something when we are getting low so I had no clue. Well have a great Fri. Try not to work too hard.
I will see you when you get done. Will you be staying late or are you done at 4 like a normal Fri? Either way. Have a great afternoon.

Huricane on its way?

Well we may get to experience a category 3 huricane if Dennis takes a turn towards us. Joel mentioned that his apartment is on an island that's 2 feet above sea level. We Minnesotan's are well prepared though. NOT!! I don't own a flashlight or a radio of any kind. I guess I should maybe start thinking of buying that stuff.

Stay tuned.

Red Tide on the 4th

What is there to do on the 4th in FL. One could go to one of the numerous parks and stand in line for hours waiting to jump on the latest and greatest ride. We thought about it but decided against it. Well that left basically one thing left to do and that's hitting the beach. Well for those of you who don't live on the coast you may not have heard of Red Tide. I actually don't have a definition for Red Tide so I can't tell you what it really is. All I know is that it kills fish and lots of them. Now image thousands of dead fish on the shore rotting away. It's about the worst smell imaginable. I do have to give Clearwater credit because they work very hard at keeping their beaches cleaned up so it doesn't smell to bad there. However, they can't clean the water enough to make one want to swim in it. So we were stuck baking away on the beach. It was still fun though. After hanging out on the beach for 8 hours we heading out to watch the fireworks. It was a great show and we were only suck in traffic for about 30 minutes.

I missed hanging out with the family on the 4th though. There's nothing like anchoring a pontoon in the middle of the lake and having two ski boats pulling skiers and a jet ski to boot. Then lighting off fireworks on the dock at the end of the night.

Help me get a free iPod

Click on this link http://www.freeiPods.com/?r=15497605 and sign up for one of the free items of sign up for something that has a trial period. If five people sign up I get a free iPod. You can do the same after you've signed up get five more people to sign up and you'll get a free iPod. Just do it for the kid.