In the October 7 premiere episode, Adam and Jamie test the classic physics textbook theory "bullet dropped versus bullet fired." In a scientifically complex experiment so difficult no one has ever tried it before, they ask: If one bullet is fired and the other is dropped simultaneously from the same height, which will hit the ground first? Or will they hit at the same time, owing to gravity? Meanwhile, Kari, Grant and Tory test an old saying: can you really knock someone out of their socks? In true MYTHBUSTERS fashion, their tests involve a crash test dummy, a boxing ring, a nitrogen cannon, a battering ram and, of course, explosives.

Additional premiere episodes this fall tackle myths, legends and sayings both well-known and obscure, including:

* Does a muddy car get better mileage than its clean cousin?

* Does duct tape really have the strength and sticking power to lift a 5,000-lb. car into the air? Can you build a sailboat made entirely from the stuff? Or a working cannon?

* Will mixing your drinks really make your hangover worse than if you stick to one type of alcohol?

* If a car drives over a cliff, would it really explode in a fireball upon hitting the ground below, as in nearly every action movie with a car chase scene?

* The team also tackles fan favorites from previous seasons, including testing whether a hot water heater can explode through your roof (this time, from the basement), and whether you can shoot a gun around corners. Also, the team finds a new, bigger way to test the famous snowplow split.

The source of the problem may be the hydrogen fuel valve. In particular, NASA says it may not be the valve itself—which according to telemetry refused to close—but with the instrument that monitors the valve. According to NASA's Mike Moses:

When we went to close the valve (after the hydrogen tank was full) we didn't get an indication that it was closed.

Discovery is schedule to launch again on Friday, delivering a bunch of equipment to the International Space Station, including the Colbert treadmill. [Daily Mail]

Just before the Discovery docked, the ISS crew was forced to crawl into the Soyuz TMA-13 in anticipation of a possible junk impact. That threat passed, but just days later and with the crew of the Discovery present, another piece of space junk has threatened to punch a hole in NASA's equipment and/or humans.

It bears repeating that this maneuver came in anticipation of possible junk impact. That is to say the survival of the crew of the ISS depended on our ability to detect the position and velocity of a four-inch piece of metal (or, as I suspect, a frozen, smiling Spacebat), which, by my calculations, makes the ISS about 5% less fun. Lasers are sounding more reasonable by the day. [Daily Mail]

While launching is a pretty fast business, maneuvering in space is even more boring than turtle porn. How are we ever going to have space battles, I don't know. But for sure, they will look more like Star Trek than Star Wars. [NASA]

* And added the Conchords, of course (go buy the damn album already.)

After discovering that the remains of a Russian satellite could pose a serious security risk, NASA is now considering the possibility of changing the course of the International Space Station and Discovery. They have already notified the crews, but nothing has been decided yet. The Discovery mission commander Mike Fincke got the news, to which he replied with classic astronaut aplomb: "You know where to fin us." These guys have the right stuff indeed.

This is the second debris collision scare in a few days. The first one required the ISS crew to step into the Soyuz escape capsule in preparation for a potential accident that, at the end, never happened. [Red Orbit]

Seven astronauts who will fly into orbit aboard space shuttle Discovery will have comfortable seats for the climb into space. An eighth space ranger won't have a seat at all. In fact, he will be packed tight inside a box and won't even get to enjoy the ride up.

But it's nothing veteran spaceman Buzz Lightyear can't overcome.

The good news is that he'll have some sports shows to listen to, along with a host of jerseys that have been to the Champs Elysees in Paris for the Tour de France and to the Super Bowl.

More accustomed to soaring among the galaxies on fold-out wings and a backpack rocket, Lightyear will take to space on Discovery's STS-124 mission stowed inside a locker in Discovery's crew compartment. The 12-inch-tall action figure is flying as part of a partnership between NASA and Disney Parks to encourage students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics, one of NASA's main educational goals.

Disney's Youth Educational Series and NASA have developed an online program known as the Space Ranger Education Series. It includes fun educational games for students, as well as materials for educators to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum.

"NASA is excited to help students understand the science and engineering currently underway on the International Space Station," said Joyce Winterton, NASA assistant administrator for Education. "The educational games and resources from this partnership will allow students to explore the science and math behind space exploration with a beloved character."

[NASA, Buzz Lightyear at NASA and NASA]

The long design of the Discovery 925 not only allows for a more powerful antenna but an extended microphone that picks up sound more clearly. The hardware also has DSP technologies that include noise cancellation and voice clarification. Battery life is around 5 hours and the carrying case holds an extra 5 hour charge. The Plantronics Discovery 925 is expected to come in pink, gold and black colors, and will hit stores in April for $150.

Plantronics Unveils New Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece Collection

Blends Distinctive VFrame™ Design with Award-Winning Audio Technology for the Ultimate in Bluetooth Performance

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - Las Vegas, NV (April 1, 2008) - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today presented the Plantronics Discovery® 925 Bluetooth® earpiece collection, a signature line of designer headsets for both men and women. Delivering exceptional audio performance, complemented by bold lines and distinctive finishes, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece represents a technical craftsmanship previously unseen in the mobile accessories category.

The revolutionary design of the Plantronics' Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece provides outstanding incoming and outgoing audio clarity in any environment. Central to its performance is the unique VFrame™ design, structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to the mouth for a headset that is as much objet d'art as it is audio ingenuity. The signature elongated design, housing an extended microphone, enhances audio performance and connection range. Plantronics' AudioIQ® noise reduction technology adds to the Discovery 925's performance by removing background noise while simultaneously adjusting the incoming volume - ensuring crystal clear sound on both sides of the conversation.

"When designing a Bluetooth headset, it is critical to fully understand the physical and emotional relationship between the product and the end user," said Darrin Caddes, vice president of Industrial Design at Plantronics, Inc. "Similar to high performance watches or automobiles, our Bluetooth headset is designed to deliver a first-class experience - in this case to permit clear, wireless conversation without the distraction of background noise. It is equally imperative that the product expresses individual taste and style and is comfortable and easy to use."

Plantronics' inaugural collection of Discovery 925 earpieces includes a unique palette of colors for both men and women: Onyx Black, Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink. Each earpiece is treated with glass beads and fire-blasted for a deep, enamel-like finish.

Each Plantronics Discovery 925 comes with a matching, soft textile carrying case that recharges and stores the earpiece. The Discovery 925 earpiece supports up to five hours of talk time, while the charging case provides an extra five-hour charge on the go. Self-stabilizing, custom-fit eartips create a light, perfectly balanced fit without the need for an earloop. Plantronics QuickPair™ greatly simplifies pairing with most Bluetooth phones.

"From the onset, our vision for the Discovery 925 was to deliver remarkable audio clarity from within a supremely comfortable and distinctive package," said Renee Niemi, general manager and vice president, Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. "Plantronics leveraged the talents of its Industrial Design team to create the Discovery 925 as a true 'tech-cessory,' and bridge the gap between high-grade audio performance and high-fashion - a gap that has previously eluded most headset designs."

Introduced at an exclusive showing during the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, the Plantronics Discovery 925 has received rave reviews among fashion press, stylists and celebrities.

Pricing and Availability:

The new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece in Black Onyx (MSRP $149.99) will be available at major consumer electronics retailers, www.amazon.com and www.plantronics.com in April 2008. The Plantronics Discovery 925 in Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink will be available in May 2008.

Newsflash. They. Still. Are. While you were settling down, growing mentally and physically soft, accepting the practicality of the three-piece suit and generally bending over to take one from society, sharks didn't go anywhere. They were still kickin' ass—shark style.

Get back in the game, twinkies. Because a hammerhead+water cannon will equal you getting your balls back. Just see if that dry cleaner still lost your favorite shirt when they tell the story to a freaking hammerhead that's housing freaking water artillery.

Commence. – Mark Wilson

(Women, fill in anatomy and wardrobe appropriately, because this applies to you, too.)

Product Page [via shinyshiny]

Discovery Biosphere Terrarium [pcnews]

I don't mind the idea of having a high-def ad. However, I'm not sure they'll get their point across to people who don't have a clue what HD is. It's not certain what sets they'll be using, but in order to prevent them from being stolen they'll be housed inside bulletproof glass, wired with alarms, and feature GPS tracking devices. Lock it in with The Club and that's as NY as you get. – Louis Ramirez

Discovery Brings High-Def Bus Shelters to NY [Adweek via The Raw Feed]