NASA technology (49)

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Supersonic Noise

NASA – The Twin Rectangular Jet model, installed on the Nozzle Acoustic Test Rig in the Aeroacoustic Propulsion Laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, is being tested to determine the acoustic impact of engine configurations on low sonic boom aircraft for the High Speed Project of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program.

The High Speed Project is a multi-center effort to develop and test the technologies of a new generation of aircraft that can fly at supersonic speeds. Glenn’s research involves predicting the airport noise of these novel aircraft by examining innovative airframes and propulsion integration that are different from the conventional tube-and-wing aircraft observed at commercial airports.

Inside the aeroacoustic dome, this generic, low-fidelity aircraft engine exhaust model features twin rectangular nozzles. Researchers are investigating the impact of having the propulsive exhaust come from the slot nozzles atop the aircraft. Testing the proposed components of these high- speed aircraft will help manufacturers meet the noise standards required around the nation’s airports.

Image Credit: NASA/Bridget R. Caswell

Space Construction (12)

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SPACE WATCH (history) · Shuttle and Station · 360° Virtual Tour

View from Space Shuttle Atlantis
NASA – STS110-E-5918 (17 April 2002) — This is one a series of digital still images of the International Space Station (ISS) recorded by the STS-110 crew members on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis following the undocking of the two spacecraft some 247 statute miles above the North Atlantic. Atlantis pulled away from the complex at 1:31 p.m. (CDT). After more than a week of joint operations between the shuttle and station crews, astronaut Stephen N. Frick, pilot, backed Atlantis away to a distance of about 400 feet in front of the station, where he began a 1 1/4 lap flyaround of the ISS, newly equipped with the 27,000 pound S0 (S-zero) truss, visible in this series of images. S0 is the first segment of a truss structure which will ultimately expand the station to the length of a football field.

View from Space Shuttle Endeavour
STS111-373-001 (15 June 2002) — Backdropped by the blackness of space and a blue and white Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) is now separated from the Space Shuttle Endeavour following the undocking of the two spacecraft over western Kazakhstan. Endeavour pulled away from the complex at 9:32 a.m. (CDT) on June 15, 2002.

View from Space Shuttle Endeavour
STS111-708-057 (15 June 2002) — Backdropped by the blackness of space, this close-up view of the International Space Station (ISS) was photographed by a crewmember on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour following the undocking of the two spacecraft over western Kazakhstan. Endeavour pulled away from the complex at 9:32 a.m. (CDT) on June 15, 2002. The S0 (S-zero) Truss with the newly added Mobile Base System (MBS) is visible center frame.

View from Space Shuttle Endeavour
STS111-708-093 (15 June 2002) — Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) is now separated from the Space Shuttle Endeavour following the undocking of the two spacecraft over western Kazakhstan. Endeavour pulled away from the complex at 9:32 a.m. (CDT) on June 15, 2002.

Comeback: America’s new economic boom

BOOK REVIEW

Comeback: America’s New Economic Boom, Charles R. Morris.

By Charles R. Morris – This is the world of shale gas and oil — which has revolutionized the U.S. energy position. These particular wells are in Oklahoma and are owned by Devon Energy Inc., one of the country’s larger independent exploration and production companies. Drills go two miles straight down, then turn to go another mile through shale rock steeped with gas and gas liquids. The shale is “fractured” with a high-pressure burst of water, sand and chemicals to start the product flowing. Once the flow is stabilized, the rig is removed and the well is connected to a permanent gathering pipeline. It should produce hydrocabons for 15 to 20 years.

By 2020 or so, the United States is expected to surpass Saudi Arabia in oil output, and Russia in gas, according to the International Energy Association’s best estimate. more> http://tinyurl.com/d6plwhd

Related>

• U.S. oil boom leaves OPEC sidelined from demand growth, Dmitry Zhdannikov and Christopher Johnson, Reuters

IBM Research Makes World’s Smallest Movie Using Atoms

IBM – Scientists from IBM (NYSE: IBM) today (May 01) unveiled the world’s smallest movie, made with one of the tiniest elements in the universe: atoms. Named “A Boy and His Atom,” the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS -verified movie used thousands of precisely placed atoms to create nearly 250 frames of stop-motion action.

“Capturing, positioning and shaping atoms to create an original motion picture on the atomic-level is a precise science and entirely novel,” said Andreas Heinrich, Principle Investigator, IBM Research. “At IBM, researchers don’t just read about science, we do it. This movie is a fun way to share the atomic-scale world while opening up a dialogue with students and others on the new frontiers of math and science. more> http://tinyurl.com/cozxvvb

Leadership In The Three-Speed Economy

By Steve Denning – Is the economy in a recovery? The question today is almost meaningless. That’s because “the economy” is an aggregate of three very different economies, each with its own dynamic.

The Traditional Economy—still the largest—is in steep and fundamental decline.

The seemingly prosperous economy of Financial Capitalism continues to run on bubbles and needs to be reconnected to the real economy.

The Creative Economy is the genuinely flourishing economy of the future. more> http://tinyurl.com/blv59pp