In 1969, there was a sizable appetite for manned space exploration. U.S. astronauts landed on the moon, and the public was able to witness it. The success of the Apollo program invigorated NASA’s space program, and general enthusiasm for the possibilities of space. Since the beginning of space travel, there has always been an ambition to go further, faster, and longer. Efforts such as the International Space Station demonstrate a global commitment to collaboration on the mission to explore beyond our atmosphere. A recent NASA program, Constellation, was very similar to the Apollo program in that it seeks to put people on the moon again by 2020. President Obama’s recent budget proposal all but kills the Constellation program. However, a closer look at the budget demonstrates that space exploration itself is not dead yet.
Constellation was essentially seeking to put U.S. astronauts on the moon in a manner similar to the moon mission decades ago. A panel convened by Obama’s administration, which included former astronauts, deemed the Constellation program to be a stale effort, not worth the cost. This new approach does not doom U.S. space exploration. In fact, it could invigorate it.
The 2011 budget gives NASA $276 million more than the previous budget. And more increases are coming in the following years. According to The Washington Post, “the language in the budget repeatedly emphasizes technological innovation to make space travel less expensive.” This new focus is what NASA needs. George W. Bush’s call to get back to the moon was ambitious. But it was also arcane and short-sighted. NASA should seek a more well-rounded approach to its mission. Space travel should not just be about planting a flag on the moon for a must-see TV moment. In addition, fears that people will lose their jobs might be unrealistic. NASA has not been left behind. In consideration of the problems that we are having taking care of the one planet that we have, opportunities in space need to be explored. Former astronaut Sally Ride described the shift in focus as a vote of confidence for NASA that utilizes the Agency as an “engine of innovation.”
We can go to the moon. Recent evidence suggests that there is frozen water on the moon. Fresh water shortages on this planet are already present, and could soon become critical. We also need to find other options. Some believe that asteroids and other space debris may contain fresh water. There is limited evidence that there may be other planets outside of our solar system that are habitable. Gliese-581 e and Gliese-581 d both point us in the right direction. And even planets in our own system have resources (such as minerals) that people might be able to utilize back here on Earth.
The new budget is seeking innovations in space flight itself. This could lead to space taxis that will make travel and commerce around the planet even quicker. Furthermore, it is another way to travel that might prove friendly to the environment. Congestion and pollution in space will be more easily mitigated than it is within the atmosphere that we depend on. NASA can and should be working on making space travel faster and more efficient so that we might go even further than the moon. There is a renewed focus on encouraging private enterprise in the space travel sector. Private enterprise will create competition. This should increase quality and efficiency in a technological sector that needs innovation. The new budget also calls for any new exploration to be an international collaboration, according to The New York Times. The vast challenge of space does warrant cooperation. While delays by one country, or diplomatic issues, could hinder the overall program, it is worth a shot. The reasons for exploring space should not be merely about national pride. Everyone on this planet has a stake in what we do in space. The new approach proposed by the administration might just be a sustainable and effective path to space operations.

MyKey Demo
Teens beginning to drive are usually one of parent’s biggest worries, and why wouldn’t it be? Motor vehicles are the number one cause of death of teens in the United States. Well Ford has a solution to parent’s paranoia, the Ford MyKey. Using a chip that is in the key, parents can set a speed limit of 80 miles per hour on a their new 2010 Ford models. But the MyKey can also do more than just set the speed limit for the teen’s key, parent’s can also program the key to limit the audio volume system’s volume and sound continuous alerts if the driver doesn’t wear a seatbelt. However, if a little chime alert doesn’t make a teen buckle up, then the MyKey has another trick, it won’t turn on the audio system until the driver seat and passenger seat are buckled in. The MyKey also will keep of the teen’s mileage and provide earlier low fuel warnings than standard. The MyKey will become standard on most Ford vehicles. While the MyKey doesn’t provide parents with complete reassurance, it’s just the start in cars building in more active safety controls on a vehicle.

At first the Ford MyKey seemed a little too paranoid on parent’s parts, but it wouldn’t be the most extreme of measures when there are now GPS trackers for kids. Although, perhaps it seems a bit invasive on a parent’s part to control their teen’s driving, the MyKey is making the roads safer for these teens and other drivers. The MyKey is also innovative because it doesn’t just annoy teens into putting on their seat belt with a blinking light or alert sound, it actually doesn’t allow teens to turn on the stereo without a seatbelt, and most teens wouldn’t drive off with their music. To add in to the music and stereo of cars with the MyKey, a stereo volume that can be limited is a relief for not only parents, but also other drivers who usually are forced to hear a teen’s music because it is so loud.  The Ford MyKey is actually just a start in this active safety controls. Although, it can help teen’s drive safer, and put parents at ease a bit, it’s just the beginning. It’s important to remember that while new technology like the MyKey can help; make driving easier for teen it is only part of making teens drive safer. The MyKey is a great start to this active safety control, but we shouldn’t become reliant on cars saving us from bad driving.

At the end of 2009, Bertrand Piccard a well-respected mind in the field of balloon aviation, unveiled his idea to pioneer a solar aircraft. Bertrand Piccard, is known to be the first individual to successfully travel around the globe in a hot air balloon, and also the winner of the Transatlantic balloon race.

Many experts in the aviation industry and the engineering industry told Piccard that his vision was impossible, something that was simply an idea and not “practical” enough to manifest into a real thing. So Piccard took his ideas to a maker of ships, who implicated the light-weight and durable idea of carbon-fiber along with the latest solar technology to create his dream. The company is called Decision SA,  they are a Swiss company affiliated with created America’s Cup winning Alinghi.

At the 2009 TED Global Conference, Piccard expanded upon his ideas and venture, by going into how the idea itself developed and how he was able to change aviation with this new direction. According to CNN, Piccard has a family history of pioneers and adventurers. His grandfather was the first known person to enter the stratosphere, and his father was the first known person to reach the deepest part of the ocean.

Piccard’s passion and intellect brought about the production of his 72 million dollar project, called “solar impulse”, and the first prototype has already been manufactured. His efforts prove the connection with renewable energy sources and technology to be correct. While companies like GM are going bankrupt, because of their dependency on oil, Piccard will be perfecting his solar aircraft. If “solar impulse” continues to be successful and solar energy is the next step in industry, then Piccard might become one of the most well-known pioneers of our generation.

“People put limitations on their creativity, believing they have to rely on what they know and what they have done”, says Piccard. New information that Piccard has released in an interview with CNN states that since the energy is limited at this particular time, the aircraft will only travel around 40 knots (55 mph). There will only be one pilot, and the aircraft will also feature the incorporation of lithium polymer batteries by the thousand.

Although the United States is usually considered one of the most sophisticated and technically savvy countries, this cannot be said when it comes to trains. As many technical innovations have come about in both Asia and Europe, the US has been significantly behind the curve. Currently the world’s fastest train is a souped-up TGV line in France at 357 mph, but this train is purely a mail transport train and does not carry passengers. The fastest passenger line is in China and reports come in with a top speed of 245 mph.  Currently the fastest train in the US is the Acela Express which has a top speed of 150 mph, but cruises at an average of 85 mph.

A new plan has been unveiled to build a number of new high speed trains across the US. Four sections of the United States will have these high speed trains California, Texas, Midwest, and Northeast. Sections have different top speeds and project designs depending upon current railway infrastructure and other environmental factors such as climate and topography. The fastest are going to be California and Texas at 220 mph, and the most expensive will be California’s railway with an overall budgeted cost of $45B.The earliest trains are expected to be running by 2017 in Florida who just broke ground with help from government stimulus.

Model of Bullet Train Station

While this plan will bring the United States up to date with the technical innovation over other parts of the world, there are a few factors that need to be considered before the success of this project can be determined. The first factor is other methods of travel, especially airplanes. Airlines currently offer cheaper modes of transportation than taking the train. Despite being high speed, the American culture wants things quickly and these trains may still not be fast enough.

Another important issue is the updating of current railways to support high speed trains. In some circumstances, such as Florida, all new rails will be built for new high speed trains, but in most regions, high speed modifications to current railways will need to take place. These modifications include sensors for auto shutdown in extreme circumstances. Making modifications without affecting current rail traffic will be a difficult task.  Also, the unorganized structure of current railway ownership poses a problem for high speeds. In the northeast, there are eight commuter railroads and seven freight lines that all need to share track. If a high speed train was added to these tracks, it would be limited in its abilities to go very fast because of all the other traffic.

The United States appears to be making a strong push to join Europe and Asia with bullet trains. While this attempt already has the support of the Obama administration, there are still many political hurdles before the United States can join the elite trains. These trains possess incredible technology and provide riders with speed and comfort, but railway companies will need to work hard to convince the American people they are the best way to travel.

With today’s economy, people are trying to find cheaper ways to travel. From gas prices to the cost of cabs, people are looking for less expensive alternatives to get around the city. “Green” is the new trend and people are trying to discover new innovations, which will be less hurtful to our environment. One company is trying to put a new spin on public transportation. Recently entered into the Australian Design Competition, was the idea of having scooters attached to light posts, in order to provide an easier way to travel around heavily trafficked tourist areas and places where people tend to walk on foot. The electric scooters charge while in the light post attachment and can reach speeds of 16km/h.

I find the idea to be very interested. The ability to rent an electric scooter to travel throughout the city rather than walking on foot could be very appealing at times. With parking in Boston as crazy as it is, the ability to rent an electric scooter would certainly help those of us who only travel short distances. This idea would also allow people to travel a little farther than normal without being forced into heavy traffic, which tends to accumulate throughout the city. I believe the idea has a lot of potential, but as you see with any new innovational idea, it needs work.

There are many issues in regards to this idea. One major issue is how to prevent theft of these scooters, which unless you intend to put GPS devices on them, would be difficult to do. It would take up a large amount of time to keep track of these scooters at all times. It is my assumption that there would be a credit card machine attached to these scooter holders in which you could pay for a certain amount of time. However, how would you guarantee that these scooters are returned after a certain amount of time? It also brings into question whether you would need to return the scooter to its original location or if you would be able to put it back in any empty slot. People may also incur the issue of finding an available spot to put their scooter after they reach their destination. There are many questions, which need to be answered before anything like this would be put into production, but the idea is fascinating. Who knows, 5 years down the line all major city sidewalks maybe crowded with electric scooters.

The technology that I found interesting was Safety Connect with Lexus Enform, that comes in the 2010 Lexus vehicles. The Safety Connect helps drivers stay secure  on the road with a built in cellular, and GPS that is linked to a response center 24/7. The response center is designed to assist in emergencies, provide addresses, and even Zagat-rated restaurants, when the vehicles are equipped with Lexus Enform. This services provides their customers with over the top customer services.

Their is a SOS button located in the car that provides emergency assistance, where a live agent can determine where your is located, and dispatch the local assistance. This enhanced roadside assistance can provide their customers with a variety of needs such as towing, jump starts, flat tires, and fuel delivery. In case of an airbag deployment or severe rear-end collision, the response center is automatically notified. This safety connect also can locate your vehicle if it has been stolen, by working with local authorities to assist them in locating the car.

The Enform is set up to provide nice features such as XM weather, XM traffic, XM sports and stocks, and Lexus insider. The XM weather is real time weather information, including forecasts, and severe weather warning for up to 150 major cities. Real time traffic information, including warning about traffic incidents on major roads, to help drivers view detailed traffic information, traffic flow and traffic congestion, as well as potentially reroute to avoid traffic incidents and delays. XM sports will allow drivers select their favorite teams from the 4 major sports, and have up to date results, schedules, and radio air times. The stocks feature allows drivers up to date investment data for up to 10 stocks.  The Lexus insider will give in vehicle audio articles with useful tips as well as insights into travel recommendations and exclusive owner’s benefits.

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