Sunday Things - biological edition
posted in Links by Cargo Cult on Sunday September 9 2012
This week, only one mention of a particular Martian robot! Instead, an attempt at a biological theme. I found lots of things in my bookmarks, but mostly vomit-inducing anatomy...




Bonus Inevitable Robots corner:
- Surgical robot plays 'Operation' - big giant robot versus a board game? Of course.
- Ask Curiosity - cheery advice column from an interplanetary robot destined to slowly freeze to death in a sand pit.
- Boston Dynamics dooms us all - now not even Usain Bolt can outrun the robots.
STOP PRESS - THERE IS A ROBOT ON MARS
posted in Space by Cargo Cult on Friday September 7 2012
Telemetry indicates that the robot naming itself 'MSL Curiosity' has gained self-awareness and is now observing itself using its own imaging hardware.
Fortunately it has yet to figure out that its camera is upside-down, and with the dust-covered lens-cover in place. And, if it starts randomly shooting things with its laser, it's a very long way away. Phew.
Edit 2012-11-03: much clearer (and newer) imagery here!
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Sunday Things - accidental space edition
posted in Links by Cargo Cult on Sunday September 2 2012
I was going to create a list of non-space-oriented links, but one thing led to another, and before I knew it I had nothing but. I'm obsessed!



Bonus Interactive 360º Science corner:
- Space Shuttle Discovery - full panorama of the decommissioned Shuttle's flight-deck.
- CERN - exploring various areas deep inside the LHC and elsewhere, complete with ambient audio.
- MSL Curiosity - full-colour interactive panorama of Bradbury Landing. Rover now on the move!
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Neil Armstrong - 1930-2012
posted in Obituaries by Cargo Cult on Sunday August 26 2012
Sunday Things - nuclear propulsion edition
posted in Links by Cargo Cult on Sunday August 19 2012
While reading up on the oft-mentioned MSL Curiosity and its nuclear-fuelled RTG power supply, I got distracted by some altogether less safe nuclear options starting with the heady days of the Cold War...




Bonus Martian Humour corner:
- N165 - a happy little basaltic Mars rock, with a new robot friend.
- We're Nasa and We Know It - now awaiting response from SpaceX.
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