They went to Iran to film a science fiction movie – instead they rescued six people from certain death
This is the best bad idea we have sir – “On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.”
I’m not into political movies, but I have to admit I’m actually excited to see Argo which is set to premiere in October. This is a wonderful moment in science fiction and comic book history, and while I understand this isn’t a real sci-fi movie, it’s fascinating to me that the pre-text of filming a real movie (especially a sci-fi one) was enough to allow a team of people into the middle of a civil war. It’s not like in World War 2 or Vietnam where reporters and camera-men would tag along with combat patrols, this was a team of fake movie-makers sent by the CIA to rescue American diplomats.
The SpaceX Dragon, mounted to a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Cape Canaveral
All eyes have been on the now-retired fleet of NASA space shuttles, most recently on the arrival of the Enterprise in New York City as previously reported on Krypton Radio. However, while we were all looking at that and wondering what we could possibly be replacing them with, a company called SpaceX has been quietly and relatively without fanfare, solving the problem.
What you’re looking at is the first privately constructed orbital vehicle capable of carrying astronauts and supplies into space for extended missions. It’s fully capable of docking with the International Space Station using an automatic docking sequence, and has a manual override in case that doesn’t work and they need an actual human pilot to make the final approach. The photograph doesn’t really give a good impression of its size – that cylindrical section just behind the nose cone is big enough to hold up to seven crew members plus their life support gear and all the propellant they’ll need for the attitude thrusters once they’re in orbit. Alternatively, the ship can use a cargo module in that position instead, and they can pack it with up to about 7.5 tons of cargo going up, and it can hold about half that for the return trip (we’re guessing it’s because rockets are a lot stronger than parachutes – the Dragon is designed to splash down in the ocean like other American capsules have in the past).
They test flew the thing in December of 2010 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and achieved a perfect orbital insertion and even restarted the second stage engines as one of the tests. That marked the first time a private company had ever achieved such a thing. Normally these sorts of projects are something countries do, not private companies.
For now, SpaceX has to use the facilities at Cape Canaveral, since efforts to build a spaceport in Texas have thus far been stymied by local politicians who don’t seem to understand the importance of bringing commercial space aeronautics to the state as a permanent part of the local economy. The Dragon is currently scheduled May 19 launch for its first voyage to the International Space Station, with a backup date of May 22 in case things don’t go well. Launch of the Falcon 9 rocket on May 19 would occur at approximately 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 GMT).
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The Space Shuttle Enterprise flew into New York City piggybacked on an 747 last Friday, traveling along the Hudson River, looping back down around the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, and then circling back towards Queens before making its descent into Kennedy airport. New York is the famous shuttle’s new home; it had been housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. prior to this.
The Enterprise, while never actually venturing into space itself, did serve as an in-atmosphere test vehicle. It was visible from rooftops and shorelines as it made its tour of the city and final descent. Leonard Nimoyappeared on CNN during coverage of the Shuttle Enterprise heading into New York
On hand in 1976 for the unveiling and dedication of the shuttle were some major dignitaries, including Leonard Nimoy along with most of the rest of the cast of Star Trek, and the show’s creator Gene Roddenberry. Nimoy was once again called upon to speak before the cameras, but this time he let slip something about the upcoming and highly anticipated J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek 2″
Nimoy was being interviewed by CNN reporter Jason Carroll, communicating with anchor Carol Costello in the cable channel’s studio in Atlanta. Carroll was listening to Costello through his earpiece, so anything the anchor said to Nimoy had to be relayed through Carroll.
Here’s the transcript of the part we find intriguing:
JASON CARROLL:You think about it’s [the Enterprise] going to a museum. but you can’t help but think about the future. When you watch Star Trek, it’s always about this vision of what the future might be. What do you think the future will be in terms of NASA …
LEONARD NIMOY:Well, Star Trek was always positive about the future, that was one of the great things audiences always enjoyed. It was always a very optimistic future, very positive. And I think one of the most important things Star Trek had to offer was to explain to young people what the possibilities of science were. To excite people about the idea of being scientists, engineers and so forth. We need those kind of people who have a vision for the future like that.
Carroll wrapped up the interview, but back in Atlanta, Costello kept going a little further.
CAROL COSTELLO:Could I just say that I admire you? And in the new Star Trek movie [the 2009 version] you had a very prominent role, Leonard Nimoy, and I enjoyed it very much. You’re fantastic.
CARROLL:In fact, Carol, we were talking about that … [to Nimoy] Carol, Carol Costello, the anchor … remember we were talking about the new Star Trek movie. It was great, you did a great job in it. And we were just about talking about that just before … will you be in another Star Trek movie?
NIMOY:Uhh, we’re talking. We’re talking.
CARROLL: Talking, Carol. [laughs] Hopefully.
The script for Star Trek 2 is done, and so is most of the shooting – but just the same, will Nimoy make a return for “Star Trek 2″? It may not be a pivotal role like the first time, but we think there’s a good chance.
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The Hope and Goodwill Superheroes Bring Helps Unite Cultures in Real World
Silver Scorpion
NEW YORK – (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX Press Release) — The Open Hands Initiative, in partnership with Liquid Comics and MTV Voices, announced today the newest rendition of the Silver Scorpion comic book character – an animated web series featuring the world’s first disabled cross-cultural superhero. Silver Scorpion is the brainchild of a group of American and Syrian youths with disabilities who gathered in Damascus a little more than a year ago. The hero they envisioned, an Arab teen that loses his legs in a tragic accident, has the power to not only bend metal with his mind but — the creators hope — to transform his world… and ours.
Created by 26 talented youths with disabilities who convened for a Youth Ability Summit in Syria, the Silver Scorpion will come to life on the web in an animated 4-part series on the MTV Voices global websites, bringing this unique story of courage and perseverance to young people all across Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. The series is intended to build bridges among the youths of the world while promoting inclusion and equality for people living with disabilities.
Krpton Radio Newswire A smegged Editorial by Senior Editor, PK
Smoke’em a Kipper, They’ll Be Back For Breakfast!
I’ve been extremely busy lately, laying shipwrecked and comatose with goldfish shoals nibbling at my toes. I awoke to a fully stocked mango juice bar, and the news that James Cameron and others were going to be launching an asteroid mining company. My first thought was “smeg, which one is going to be Rimmer?”. Although on a more serious note, this is a very important time in human history, people seen as pioneers in important industries are joining forces to help humanity explore space and possibly bring millions of new jobs to a struggling world economy.
I’m sure many of us had thought it would be faceless monolithic corporations who would be launching the space race; looking for those precious materials we’re having trouble getting enough of on our own planet. And as many others have pointed out, the incredible irony of James Cameron, the man who made a film about humans being the ultimate space bastards and trying to conquer an inhabited planet for its resources, would be part of this. Continue reading “James Cameron & Google Founders to Launch Deep Space Mining Ship “Red Dwarf”“
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Space Food Sticks. If you were born after 1970 chances are good you’ve never heard of these things. Before there was such a thing as “energy bars”, there were these.
Space Food Sticks were created in the 1960′s. We were space crazy in those days. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren had made it to the moon, and anything with the word “space” in front of it sold like crazy. Every kid wanted to be an astronaut. And a lot of the science fiction from the sixties depended on the use of the word “Space” to sell the audience. It was “space this” and “space that”. Kind of like the same way Adam West used to refer to anything he used by putting the word “bat” in front of it. Any man named Adam West who can do the bat-tusi is my hero. But I digress.
Granola bars in space?
They were more like um..
Hm.
How to explain this.
It all began because astronauts, like everybody else, have to eat. The trick was to make something that could be stored for extended periods of time, could be eaten without benefit of gravity and still be safe enough to eat, within vague definitions of “safe”. Continue reading “Krypton Radio Remembers: Space Food Sticks“
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The Everyday Heroes of A City Pull Together To Help A Superhero
By Staff Editor, PK
Courtesy: City of Arlington
The greatest battle that any man will face, is his own mortality. For a 7-Year old Arlington-Texas boy named Kye who is suffering from leukemia, that must be the greatest battle he could possibly imagine facing. But thanks to some wonderful volunteer efforts and the a Wish with Wings organization; Kye was able to live out a dream of his, and for one day in his young life, he became the legendary Dark Knight and helped fight evil in the city of Gotham Arlington, Texas.
Members of the Arlington Police and Fire Departments, along with the Mayor’s Office and several others setup an elaborate day of crime fighting events for Kye. Starring as a Little Batman, he joined forces with the caped crusader himself and helped defeat volunteers dressed as the Joker and the Riddler who were engaged in nefarious plots. With Batman and the Police, Kye stopped the Joker who tried to rob a bank, and with the Fire Department he outsmarted the infamous Riddler who tried to blow up city hall.
After a day of intense crime fighting, a catered chicken lunch and some quality time with Arlington’s men and women in uniform; Kye met with the Commissioner Assistant Chief of Police who presented him with the Key to the City.
Video after the break.
The 80′s hold a special place in this curmudgeon’s heart; the TV shows, the music, the questionable taste in clothes and the gag me with a spoon references that never seemed to get old. Although if you whip out any of that lingo today, I’ll have to soundly beat you into the ground with the decaying cans of hair spray you have stuffed next to your collection of Swatch Watches. This DeLorean powered trip down memory lane is brought to you by the Superman Dancers of Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
It seems like the UK is awash with Superman themed events this year, as you’ve previously read of the Cats Protection charity holding a Superman themed run, to help raise money for the care of homeless cats throughout the UK. The Superman Dancers of Lincolnshire are trying to not only raise money for a worthy cause, they’re trying to get the side benefit of getting into the Guinness Book of World Records, by holding the world’s largest dance to the song “Superman” by 1980′s band Black Lace.
Aside from dressing up like the Man of Steel and dancing to a really terrible song (in my humble opinion), the main goal is to help raise funds for an important charity. LIVES (Lincolnshire Voluntary Emergency Service), is using the fun community event to raise money to cover its operating budget. The event takes place during the 2012 Sleaford Live Festival, and features music, dancing, side stalls, tombola, raffles and more!
If you happen to be interested in attending both Superman events and don’t mind the travel; Cats Protection & The Superman Dance are both happening in May this year. The Dance happens on May 5Th and the Cats Protection run happens on May 13TH, registration for the dance is open on April 21st, check the websites for the latest details. Who knows, you may be able to take your Superman running buddies to the dance and help create one heck of a Superman themed dance off!
The Space Shuttle Enterprise flew into New York City piggybacked on an 747 last Friday, traveling along the Hudson River, looping back down around the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, and then circling back towards Queens before making its descent into Kennedy airport. New York is the famous shuttle’s new home; it had been housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. prior to this.
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