Sailplane Launches Itself With Retractable Jet
A creative bunch of tinkerers think the recent trend of self-launching gliders needs a bit of a boost. So instead of outfitting their high performance sailplane with an electric or small piston motor, they’ve attached a jet engine that folds neatly into the fuselage. Traditional sailplanes have no motor. They’re typically towed to altitude by…
The strategic implications of giant robots in space
How would we cope with giant robots in space? Adam Elkus, an analyst specializing in foreign policy and strategic studies, looks at the anime classic Mobile Suit Gundam for some answers. Besides being awesome, giant robots are completely and utterly implausible. They defy the laws of basic physics, mechanics, and engineering (I refer you to…
I’m Blogging From My Shower
I’m going to invite you into my shower for a few minutes. Sorry about that, but it’s the only place I can really think these days. Recently, I was at Ritual Cafe in San Francisco’s Mission District downing quad lattes with my old friend Angus. At one point, he noticed an acquaintance who entered the…
