[wpaudio url=”https://media.shellypalmer.com/wp-content/images/usrn/120807_SHELLYPALMER_GEN_BED.mp3″ text=”Click to play … ” dl=”0″] NASA’s new Mars rover, Curiosity, has finally landed on the red planet, after over 14 years of planning. The project, which cost 2.5 billion dollars, had seen years of launch delays and problems with funding. But landing on Mars is no easy task. Many previous missions have Continue Reading →
Curiosity on Mars
At 1:31 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover completed its eight-and-a-half-month journey from Earth to land on the surface of Mars. The Times is reporting the news as it unfolds directly from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and covering events and reaction from people tuning in around the globe. There are several transmitters on Continue Reading →
Moon
Sci-fi fantasies have long predicted that we might live on the moon. But while the lack of atmosphere poses a problem for lunar living, there may be an even bigger sticking point: new research suggests that the moon’s surface is itself toxic to humans. For obvious reasons, long-term human exposure to the moon’s environment has Continue Reading →
Project 1640
It’s taken more than six years of development, but a new imaging system for the Palomar Observatory’s 200-inch Hale Telescope finally started capturing images last month, and promises to aid significantly in the search for planets outside our solar system (otherwise known as exoplanets). With the suitably mysterious name of “Project 1640,” the new instrument Continue Reading →
[wpaudio url=”https://media.shellypalmer.com/wp-content/images/usrn/120601_SHELLYPALMER_GEN_BED.mp3″ text=”Click to play … ” dl=”0″] Now that SpaceX has ushered in the era of privatized space travel.  Where do we go from here?  Yesterday, Dragon, SpaceX’s Appolo-like space capsule successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean just off Baja California.  The flight was monitored by NASA, SpaceX and every other organization that Continue Reading →
NASA
NASA was hacked 13 times last year, resulting in major breaches of sensitive government data. Hackers working from Chinese IP addresses gained full access to NASA’s files, employee credentials and system logs. Unencrypted laptops were also stolen containing codes for controlling the International Space Station. Continue Reading →
[wpaudio url=”https://media.shellypalmer.com/wp-content/images/usrn/120305_SHELLYPALMER_GEN_BED.mp3″ text=”Click to play … ” dl=”0″] According to a report by TechCrunch, Google is working on an answer to Apple’s personal assistant Siri. The company is developing software called Google Assistant that takes voice commands to help you accomplish real-life goals. Unlike Siri, Google will let developers integrate Assistant into third-party apps. In Continue Reading →

Keep Calm and Compute On

When it comes to the failing of modern technology, the truth is it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. These disasters come in many forms: hard drive crashes, failed logic boards, and no one is safe from attacks by coffee, beer or baby vomit. Sometimes things like minor software problems can Continue Reading →
Mars Rover
NASA successfully launched the Mars Science Laboratory, its newest rover that will survey the surface of Mars. It will take eight months for the rover to land, where it will examine the planet by drilling rock and filming HD footage. Read the full article at Wired.com Continue Reading →