Most distant spacecrafts

SPACE WATCH
NASA – What is humanity’s most distant spacecraft? Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 now holds that distinction at 17.5 billion kilometers from the Sun. That corresponds to 16 light-hours or 117 Astronomical Units (AU). This graphic shows the position of Voyager 1 relative to the outer solar system (top and side views) along with other distant spacecraft contenders. Next most distant, Pioneer 10 is about 15.4 billion kilometers from the Sun, though on the opposite side of the solar system from Voyager 1. Voyager 2 and Pioneer 11, both also well beyond the orbit of Pluto, are 14.2 billion and 12.4 billion kilometers from the Sun respectively. Still outbound for Pluto, the New Horizons spacecraft is presently 3 billion kilometers from the Sun and will encounter the Pluto system in July of 2015. All these spacecraft have used sling-shot style gravity assist maneuvers to increase their speeds through the outer solar system. Voyager 1 is moving the fastest, escaping the solar system at about 17 kilometers per second. Still operational, both Voyagers are headed towards the outer boundary of the solar system, in search of the heliopause and the beginning of interstellar space.

Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech

Why Internet content wars will never end

By Larry Downes – The media industries, everyone agrees, are in the fight of their lives.

What is clear is that copyright, patent, and trademark laws, standing quietly on their own, are no longer able to maintain the balance of incentives and protections that have defined these industries for hundreds of years.

The real danger is that by tinkering desperately with the fundamental machinery of both the Internet and the legal system, the unintended consequences that result could prove catastrophic. The tide has turned. The question now is what the new trade routes will look like. In the end, it should now be clear, fighting back this particular sea change is ultimately impossible. more> http://twurl.nl/41v6kq

Cyber security cooperation efforts possible?

By Kate Rowland – During the US Senate hearing, David Owens, executive vice president in charge of the Edison Electric Institute’s business operations group, spoke passionately about the need for an ongoing dialogue involving industry and government with regard to cyber security, and the difference between (and equal importance of) “horizontal” and “vertical” communication. This was a welcome change from earlier testimony from participants that seemed to focus more on territorial challenges than workable solution involving all players.

“All of you know that cyber security is not a check-the box exercise. You can’t say, ‘if we do these 10 things, we’re not going to have a cyber security problem,’” he told the committee. “Instead, cyber security requires an evolutionary process and an ongoing dialogue involving industry and government. more> http://twurl.nl/iq1en1

related>

• Cybersecurity: Lots of Answers, Now Let’s Ask the Right Questions ←
• Cyber security: drivers and inhibitors, Phil Carson, Intelligent Utility

THOMAS Top Ten – compiled on Aug 15 2010

Library of Congress -

1. H.R. 1473 [112th]
   Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
2. H.R. 1351 [112th]
   United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011
3. H.R. 3 [112th]
   No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
4. H.R. 1540 [112th]
   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
5. H.R. 4173 [111th]
   Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
6. H.R. 1230 [112th]
   Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act
7. H.R. 1231 [112th]
   Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act
8. H.R. 1 [112th]
   Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
9. H.R. 3590 [111th]
   Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
10. H.R. 1229 [112th]
    Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act

US government hits the debt ceiling

By Peter Schroeder – The U.S. government officially hit the federal debt limit Monday (5/16/11), prompting the Treasury Department to invoke new measures to prevent a default.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner tapped into two government employee pension funds to free up cash, and warned in a letter to congressional leaders of “catastrophic economic consequences” if the ceiling is not hiked.

“Keeping the debt ceiling at its current level would force Congress to prioritize spending, but it would not force a default on our debt,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC). “The only thing forcing a default would be Treasury Secretary Geithner allowing such a catastrophe to take place.” more> http://twurl.nl/k3hsgo

related>

• Geithner Predicts Double-Dip if Congress Fails to Lift Debt Ceiling