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Ray Harryhausen, Animation & FX Pioneer, Dead At 92

 Animation, Events, Fandom, Fantasy / Horror, Movies, Real Life Heroes, Science Fiction  No Responses »
May 072013
 
ray-harryhausen_1616704c
Raymond Frederick Harryhausen
Born: Los Angeles 29th June 1920
Died: London 7th May 2013

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The following was posted on the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation page on Facebook:

The Harryhausen family regret to announce the death of Ray Harryhausen, Visual Effects pioneer and stop-motion model animator. He was a multi-award winner which includes a special Oscar and BAFTA. Ray’s influence on today’s film makers was enormous, with luminaries; Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, John Landis and the UK’s own Nick Park have cited Harryhausen as being the man whose work inspired their own creations.

Harryhausen’s fascination with animated models began when he first saw Willis O’Brien’s creations in KING KONG with his boyhood friend, the author Ray Bradbury in 1933, and he made his first foray into filmmaking in 1935 with home-movies that featured his youthful attempts at model animation. Over the period of the next 46 years, he made some of the genres best known movies – MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949), IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955), 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH (1957), MYSTERIUOUS ISLAND (1961), ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. (1966), THE VALLEY OF GWANGI (1969), three films based on the adventures of SINBAD and CLASH OF THE TITANS (1981). He is perhaps best remembered for his extraordinary animation of seven skeletons in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) which took him three months to film.

Harryhausen’s genius was in being able to bring his models alive. Whether they were prehistoric dinosaurs or mythological creatures, in Ray’s hands they were no longer puppets but became instead characters in their own right, just as important as the actors they played against and in most cases even more so.

Today The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation, a charitable Trust set up by Ray on the 10th April 1986, is devoted to the protection of Ray’s name and body of work as well as archiving, preserving and restoring Ray’s extensive Collection.

Tributes have been heaped upon Harryhausen for his work by his peers in recent years.

Ray has been a great inspiration to us all in special visual industry. The art of his earlier films, which most of us grew up on, inspired us so much.” “Without Ray Harryhausen, there would likely have been no STAR WARS
- George Lucas

THE LORD OF THE RINGS is my ‘Ray Harryhausen movie’. Without his life-long love of his wondrous images and storytelling it would never have been made – not by me at least. His patience, his endurance have inspired so many of us.
- Peter Jackson

In my mind he will always be the king of stop-motion animation.
- Nick Park

His legacy of course is in good hands. Because it’s carried in the DNA of so many film fans.
- Randy Cook

You know I’m always saying to the guys that I work with now on computer graphics “do it like Ray Harryhausen”.
- Phil Tippett

What we do now digitally with computers, Ray did digitally long before but without computers. Only with his digits.
- Terry Gilliam

Ray, your inspiration goes with us forever.
- Steven Spielberg

I think all of us who are practioners in the arts of science fiction and fantasy movies now all feel that we’re standing on the shoulders of a giant. If not for Ray’s contribution to the collective dreamscape, we wouldn’t be who we are.
- James Cameron

Goodnight, Ray. Thank you for the memories, and the inspiration that changed all our lives.
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Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship ‘Enterprise’ Successful Powered Flight

 Real Life Heroes, Sci / Tech, Space Sciences  No Responses »
May 012013
 
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MOJAVE, Calif. – Yesterday, Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s aabar Investments PJS, completed the first rocket-powered flight of its space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2). The test , conducted by teams from Scaled Composites (Scaled) and Virgin Galactic, officially marks Virgin Galactic’s entrance into the final phase of vehicle testing prior to commercial service from Spaceport America in New Mexico.  The name of the specific craft that became the first commercial spaceship ever built to break the sound barrier under its own power is, fittingly, “Enterprise”.

“The first powered flight of Virgin Spaceship Enterprise was without any doubt, our single most important flight test to date,” said Virgin Galactic Founder Sir Richard Branson, who was on the ground in Mojave to witness the occasion. “For the first time, we were able to prove the key components of the system, fully integrated and in flight. Today’s supersonic success opens the way for a rapid expansion of the spaceship’s powered flight envelope, with a very realistic goal of full space flight by the year’s end. We saw history in the making today and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved.”

The test began at 7.02am local time when SS2 took off from Mojave Air and Space Port mated to WhiteKnightTwo (WK2), Virgin Galactic’s carrier aircraft.

SS2 was released from its carrier craft 45 minutes into the flight at an altitude of 47,000 feet. After giving everything a recheck to make sure everything was smooth and stable, they lit the rocket motor, propelling SS2 forward and upward to a maximum altitude of 55,000 feet. The entire engine burn lasted 16 seconds, and SS2 reached Mach 1.2.  The rocket motor uses an interesting solid rubber fuel, and the entire engine casing can be replaced and the entire craft reused.

The entire rocket-powered flight test lasted just over 10 minutes, culminating in a smooth landing for SS2 in Mojave at approximately 8am local time.

Piloting SS2 were Mark Stucky, pilot, and Mike Alsbury, co-pilot, who are test pilots for Scaled, which built SS2 for Virgin Galactic. At the WK2 controls were Virgin Galactic’s Chief Pilot Dave Mackay, assisted by Clint Nichols and Brian Maisler, co-pilot and flight test engineer, respectively, for Scaled.

In the coming months, the Virgin Galactic and Scaled test team will expand the spaceship’s powered flight envelope culminating in full space flight, which the companies anticipate will take place before the end of 2013.

About the Enterprise (SpaceShipTwo, or SS2)

The Enterprise is 60 feet (18.3 meters) long (more than twice the length of SpaceShipOne) and 7.5 feet (2.3 m) wide. It has a wing span of 27 feet (8.2 m), a tail height of 15 feet (4.6 m) and can carry two pilots and six passengers. The passenger cabin is 12 feet (3.7 m) long and 7.5 feet (2.3 m) wide. Virgin Galactic compares SS2 to a Gulfstream business jet.

The SS2 features:

  • A carbon-composite double hull made of carbon sandwich panels with a honeycomb core. The hull enables a fully pressurized cabin so that passengers and pilots won’t have to wear bulky space suits.
  • A hybrid rocket motor that’s part solid rocket and part liquid. It uses nitrous oxide oxidizer and tire rubber fuel. The nitrous oxide self-pressurizes and is stored in a tank behind the cabin (the tank makes up the cabin’s rear bulkhead). The case, throat and nozzle (CTN) are made of solid rubber fuel. A main valve and igniter lights the nitrous oxide as it flows over the rubber fuel and out the nozzle. The CTN burns out and can be replaced for the next flight.
  • Double-pane windows that are capable of withstanding pressure differences across the cabin wall. They’ll provide numerous views of the Earth and space.
  • Thrusters (pressurized containers of air) that help the spacecraft pitch, roll and yaw
  • Rudders and elevons, flight control surfaces that will help SS2 maneuver while gliding for landing
  • Two hatches — one for entry and exit and another for emergency exit
  • A feather mechanism (pneumatically operated controls that rotate the wings). Feathering places the wings in an upward position for re-entry. The feathered position produces drag, slows the spacecraft and allows it to gently fall back through the upper parts of the Earth’s atmosphere like a badminton shuttlecock. This technique reduces the g-forces and heat buildup of re-entry.

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Bagram Batman Takes On The U.S. Army

 Comics, Marvel / DC, Real Life Heroes  No Responses »
Apr 232013
 
bagrambatman

It’s hard to be serious and comedic at the same time, but in this series of U.S. Army PSA’s about soldier safety on foreign soil, the Bagram Batman pulls it off nicely.

The Bagram Batman is a soldier in a cowl and cape smacking soldiers around for being stupid on a U.S. Army base; his Christian Bale impression isn’t half bad.  The acting is cheesy, but they do what they’re meant to do: they make soldiers pay attention to safety on the job, increasing the likelihood that they’ll actually get to come home in one piece.

It’s goofy fun, and serious business all at the same time – and it’s actually paid for and produced by the U.S. military.  Your tax dollars at work, and Batman saving lives.  Kind of an odd way to do it, but it works for us.

Have a look!

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Commander Kevin Ford Offers Holiday Greetings From Space

 Real Life Heroes, Space Sciences  No Responses »
Dec 192012
 
Kevin Ford aboard ISS
Kevin Ford aboard ISS

Kevin Ford aboard ISS

It would be hard to find a fan of Krypton Radio who wasn’t also fascinated with real life space travel and exploration.  With that and the season in mind, we’re happy to bring you the words of Commander Kevin Ford aboard the International Space Station offering his holiday greetings.  The recording was released December 19, 2012, by the NASAtv YouTube channel.

NASA has released a number of video messages from various noteworthy space pioneers, both from space and on the ground.  We love this stuff.  They’re messages of hope from the future we know is coming.

Enjoy.

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Krypton Radio is hiring for freelance writers

 Activities, Animation, Awards, Babylon 5, Books, Business, Charity, Codenamed: Epic, Comics, Community, Conventions, Corsair's Chronicles, Cybercrime, Doctor Who, Editorials, Events, Fan Films, Fanboy Comics, Fandom, Fantasy / Horror, Firefly, Games, Gary DaBaum!, Hero Community, Internet, Interviews, League of Heroes (LoH), Lord of the Rings, Machinema, Marvel / DC, Mobile Devices, Movie Reviews, Movies, Music, Net Culture, New Second Life Resident Education, Politics, Promotions, Quantum Physics, Radio Serials, Real Life Heroes, Real Life Superheroes, Satire, Sci / Tech, Science Fiction, Space Command, Space Sciences, Special Reports, Star Trek, Star Wars, Stark Reality, Steam Powered Cabaret, Steampunk, Stolen Droids, Superhero, Swingtastic!, Television, The Corsair's Closet, Theater, Toys, TV Campfire, Uncategorized, Video Of the Day, Web Series  No Responses »
Dec 132012
 
Krypton Radio

Krypton Radio Human Resources Office

 

Job Posting Announcement: KRW1-DEC2012 | Freelance Writer

Job Overview

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Other Pay: Location:
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Job Description:

Are you looking to develop your career in journalism?  If you love superheroes, comic books, science fiction, steampunk, fantasy, gaming, internet radio stations, shiny pieces of metal, sniffing strange objects, getting just the facts on stories, scooping other news outlets on major stories, rescuing damsels in distress, blowing up small towns in the Nevada desert, cackling evilly, wearing tight revealing spandex pants, chest hair, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars, X-Men, K-9, being a xenophobic weirdo, polishing the Death Star, skydiving, scuba diving, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, horseshoes, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Apple Jack, Princess Celestia, Spike, plotting to take over the world, building elaborate underwater bases, turning water into wine, drinking mudders milk, wearing browncoats, laying shipwrecked and comatose drinking fresh mango juice with goldfish shoals nibbling at my toes, having fun, fun, fun, In the sun, sun, sun, becoming overlord of the world, interstellar domination, mind melding with dogs, laughing at cats, drink the last bit of milk in the fridge, and thinking no one will notice?

The check into becoming a Freelance Writer.  Krypton Radio is one of the fastest growing internet radio stations in the Milky Way Galaxy, with more than 3,000 fans on Facebook and admirers in many Earth countries.  We offer tremendous career growth opportunities for our employees that get results.

But wait! There’s more! Continue reading »

Red Bull Stratos: A Leap From The Edge Of Space

 Real Life Heroes, Space Sciences  1 Response »
Oct 102012
 
Felix Baumgartner completes final test jump from 97,145.7 feet/29,610 meters on July 25, 2012, for the Red Bull Stratos mission, which aims to set the world record for highest skydiver by leaping from 120,000 feet and breaking the sound barrier. CREDIT: Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Content Pool

Felix Baumgartner completes final test jump from 97,145.7 feet/29,610 meters on July 25, 2012, for the Red Bull Stratos mission, which aims to set the world record for highest skydiver by leaping from 120,000 feet and breaking the sound barrier.
CREDIT: Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Content Pool

Felix Baumgartner could be the first person to break the speed of sound with his own body, protected only by a space suit, when he ascends in a capsule to an altitude of 120,000 feet – roughly 23 miles above the Earth’s surface – and steps out into the void. At this altitude, the atmosphere is so thin that from a human’s perspective, it doesn’t exist.  Baumgarten will be wearing a space suit, without which survival at that altitude would be impossible.  For roughly the first half of his descent, Baumgarten will feel no effects from air resistance, and will fall silently back towards Earth. As no one has successfully jumped from this height before, it’s uncertain what the highest supersonic freefall in history will look or feel like. This animated video gives us a sense of what to expect when the history-making jump takes place later today.

The launch of the balloon was scheduled to take place yesterday at 10:30AM local time from Roswell, New Mexico, but had to be aborted at the last minute due to high winds at 700 feet, the altitude of the balloon’s top as they were filling it with helium.  Had they launched, the winds would likely have ripped the fragile gas envelope apart.  They’re trying again this morning.  Baumgartner and his crew plan to begin the mission in Roswell in the “wee hours,” Red Bull Stratos spokesman Derrick Lerum told SPACE.com. “The timeline isn’t really set in stone because of weather conditions,” he added.

The team is hoping to launch between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. local Roswell time, or 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. EDT (1200 and 1500 GMT).

The balloon carrying Baumgartner’s capsule is 55 stories high, yet its walls are 10 times thinner than a plastic sandwich bag. For the safety of the balloon, wind conditions at launch time can’t exceed 2 mph (3.2 kph).

The skydiver will ride aloft in a specially made 2,900-pound (1,315-kilogram) pressurized capsule.

The mission is called Red Bull Stratos, so it’s pretty clear that Red Bull is paying for all this.  The team brings together the world’s leading minds in aerospace medicine, engineering, pressure suit development, capsule creation and balloon fabrication. It includes retired United States Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who holds three of the records Felix will strive to break.

Joe’s record jump from 102,800 ft in 1960 was during a time when no one knew if a human could survive a jump from the edge of space. Joe was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and had already taken a balloon to 97,000 feet in Project ManHigh and survived a drogue mishap during a jump from 76,400 feet in Excelsior I. The Excelsior III mission was his 33rd parachute jump.  Although researching extremes was part of the program’s goals, setting records wasn’t the mission’s purpose. Joe ascended in helium balloon launched from the back of a truck. He wore a pressurized suit on the way up in an open, unpressurized gondola. Scientific data captured from Joe’s jump was shared with U.S. research personnel for development of the space program. Today Felix and his specialized team hope to take what was learned from Joe’s jumps more than 50 years ago and press forward to test the edge of the human envelope.

Good luck, Felix.

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RIP Neil Armstrong, First Man On the Moon – 1930-2012

 Real Life Heroes, Sci / Tech, Space Sciences  No Responses »
Aug 252012
 
A NASA photo of Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969 when he became the first man to walk on the moon.

A NASA photo of astronaut and American hero Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969 when he became the first man to walk on the moon.

Neil Armstrong, first human being to set foot on the Moon in the historic landing of the Eagle lunar lander on July 20, 1969,  died today from complications after heart surgery. He was 82. It was Armstrong who composed and first uttered the famous quote: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

It’s hard to overstate Armstrong’s courage and his contribution to the dreams, aspirations and future of all humanity.  He was one of Earth’s greatest heroes.

Amstrong’s family announced his death in a written statement:

“While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.  For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

Rest in peace, Neil.  And thank you, from all of us.

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Apollo 11 Lands On Moon – 43 Years Ago Today

 Real Life Heroes, Sci / Tech, Space Sciences  No Responses »
Jul 202012
 
Tranquility Base
Tranquility Base

The Eagle lander at Tranquility Base. Look at the actual construction of this vehicle in the detail shot – now think about how brave you’d have to be to fly in this thing, and how primitive the computers were that flew it. Remember that this was 1969.

Krypton Radio Newswire

Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the landing of Apollo 11 on the surface of Earth’s moon. It’s been said that 500 years from now, when people look back at our times, they won’t remember the politics and economy, they’ll remember the first landing on the moon.  Tonight, go outside and look at the moon – and remember that men have been there.

If you are old enough to have been awake on the night of the Apollo 11 moon walk, you probably remember exactly where you were.  It was the first chapter in a story that has no end – our first step into space.

Interestingly, Neil Armstrong was not hand picked to captain the first flight to the Moon.  NASA had a rotation schedule for their astronauts, and since Armstrong had been the backup commander for Apollo 8, he, Buzz Aldren and Mike Collins got the assignment to Apollo 11.

“My gut feeling”, said Armstrong in a recent interview, “was that we had a ninety percent or better chance of getting back safely, and a fifty percent chance of making a successful landing.”

The landing almost didn’t happen.  The primitive flight computer aboard the “Eagle” Apollo Lunar Lander was steering Armstrong and Aldren toward a field of boulders.  Aldren took the controls and the tiny craft went shooting over the lunar landscape, burning fuel at a frightening pace.  Armstrong managed the landing just seventeen seconds before Houston Control would have given him the order to abort the landing.  He later commented that the landing was actually much more challenging than actually stepping out onto the surface.  He didn’t settle on what to say until the last minute.  The act itself led him to the now famous pronouncement that has defined humanity’s space efforts ever since:

“That’s one small step for man – one giant leap for mankind.”

Said Armstrong, “The important achievement for Apollo was the demonstration that humanity is not forever chained to this planet, and our imagination goes rather further than that, and our opportunities are unlimited.”

Forty-three years later, that idea is still finding new fertile ground in which to flourish and thrive.  Our destiny as a people lays before us.  Thank you, Mr. Aldren, for helping show us the way.

Peace.

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