NASA’s Artemis program will mark a significant milestone in US space flight history when it lifts off in late 2024. Not only will it be the first time that American astronauts have travelled further than LEO since the 1970s, and not only will it be the first opportunity for a female astronaut to step foot on the moon. The Artemis mission will perform the crucial groundwork needed for humanity to further explore and potentially colonize our nearest celestial neighbor as well as eventually serve as a jumping-off point in our quest to reach Mars. Given how inhospitable space is to human physiology and psychology, however, NASA and its partners will face a significant challenge in keeping their lunar colonists alive and well.
Back in the Apollo mission era, the notion of constructing even a semi-permanent presence on the surface of the moon was laughable — largely because the numerous lunar regolith samples collected and returned to Earth during that period were “found to be dry as a bone,” Rob Mueller, Senior Technologist in Advanced Projects Development at NASA said during a SXSW 2021 panel. “That was the common wisdom, there is no water on the moon, and so for many years that was the assumption held in the [aerospace] community.”
It wasn’t until the late ‘90s that a neutron spectrometer aboard NASA’s Lunar Prospector mission found telltale evidence of hydrogen atoms located at the moon’s poles, suggesting the potential presence of water ice. And it wasn’t until last October that the SOPHIA mission detected water on the sunlit surface of the moon, rather than only squirrelled away in deep, dark lunar craters.
“We had indications that H2O – the familiar water we know – might be present on the sunlit side of the Moon,” Paul Hertz, director of the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, said at the time. “Now we know it is there. This discovery challenges our understanding of the lunar surface and raises intriguing questions about resources relevant for deep space exploration.”
Based on this new evidence, Mueller estimates that there should be enough water ice available to “launch a vehicle like the space shuttle every day for 2,000 years. So there's a lot of water on the moon. The trick is, is we have to find it, access it, and mine it, and then economically use it.”
The revelation that the moon holds a cache of water — which can be used to both quenchslake an astronaut’s thirst and power their rocket — could set off a resource grab the likes of which we haven’t seen since the days of the forty-niner, Pete Carrato, Senior Consulting Engineer at the Bechtel Corporation, noted during the same panel discussion. “So, the next gold rush to me is to the south pole of the Moon, and it's a harsh environment.”
The next "gold rush"? Terms like that and "colonization" do not instill trust in me. And "a space shuttle every day for 2000 years" may seem like a lot; however, if the past is any prediction, once a space shuttle started, you can be sure that they would overdue it, doing many a day. And then they'd play dumb with a "How did that happen" pose -- the way we do here on Earth over and over.
Don't think we'll pollute and dirty the Moon? Right now, there's no one on it. And yet . . . THE WEATHER CHANNEL reports:
In a bid to establish artificial power sources on the Moon, American space agency NASA is working with several commercial companies in order to design vertically deployable solar array systems. Once deployed, this reliable, sustainable power source would support lunar habitats, rovers, and even construction systems for future robotic and crewed missions.
These solar array systems will be autonomously deployable up to 32 feet high, and retractable for relocation if necessary. The designs will also be created in a way that ensures the systems remain stable on steep terrain, be resistant to abrasive lunar dust, and minimise both mass and packaged volume to aid in the system’s delivery to the lunar surface, as per the NASA statement.
These vertically deployable systems will differ from the existing space-rated solar array structures and deployment systems, which are designed for horizontal surface deployment or microgravity usage. This is quite intentional, as the vertical position and the height of the energy source will help prevent loss of power at the lunar poles, where the Sun does not rise very far above the horizon.
When low-angled sunlight hits rocky formations like hills and slopes near the lunar poles, it casts a shadow over the surface—shadows that can block horizontally structured solar arrays from obtaining light. A tall, vertical solar power structure, however, would increase the likelihood of getting uninterrupted light. Therefore, these solar power designs could help enable continuous power for habitats and operations, even in areas shaded by rocky features.
So that -- that and our past behavior -- is why I don't see us being careful custodians of the moon.
"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMON ILLS):
Thursday, March 25, 2021. A look at the media.
Starting with the media.
That's RISING and that's RISING proving just what a waste they are. It's not like they filed anything important on Iraq -- the Iraq War hit the 18 year mark over the weekend. But here they want to file on how US Vice President Kamala Harris will be joining former president and forever womanizer Bill Clinton for an event about empowering women and girls. Bill is credibly accused of having raped Juanita Broaddrick and he did have a highly inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky which was, honestly, harassment after he's needing her to be silent about that affair.
There is no reason in the world that a sitting vice president should be taking part in this nonsense. The optic are wrong, just for starters.
But where does RISING get off criticizing anything about this event for women and girls? They bring on two guests and nither are experts in empowering women and girls nor are they women.
This is not why media is supposed to exist. This is lazy and it's sexist.
Of and when Krystal leaves RISING (and her podcast with Kyle as well), let's hope she's not planning to guest on other shows because the pattern she's set is that women don't make up half the world and they certainly shouldn't make up half the guest list.
Is it really too much to think that, in 2021, half of RISING's guests could be women? Is it really reaching to expect that a segment like this would feature women?
They are the problem. RISING is the problem.
Right now, some are slamming Senator Tammy Duckworth for her declaration that she wouldn't vote for anymore Biden cabinet nominees unless they were minorities until Joe nominates an Asian American cabinet official.
"Race quotas!" And other nonsense many hissed.
First off, it wasn't Tammy alone. Senator Senator Mazie Hirono also joined her in that stance. They have both backed off.
They shouldn't have. Tammy and Mazie were not asking for a full cabinet, they were asking for one official. And all Joe's offered in terms of diversity has been officials -- meaning he's got no iversity in thought, no diversity in programs. His administration is run of the ill generic with the exception of skin tone, sexual orientation, etc. The individual is the diversity -- not the programs, not the experience, not the outlook. So if that's all he's offering, that's all he's offering.
And Mazie and Tammy are well within their rights to make demands. Sadly, they didn't stick to those demands.
The Krystal Balls of the world go merrily along the way reinforcing every double standard and every barrier that has existed for years. As a co-host of RISING, she should be inviting women on air. But she barely does. And that's why people have to make demands. It's 2021 and Krystal Ball has the power to invite on her show whomever she wants. She misuses that power on a daily basis.
Krystal, if women aren't good enough to make up half the guests on RISISNG, maybe they shouldn't make up half the hosts? How would you like that if it were your ass on the line?
I don't like women who refuse to help other women. I don't like women who climb their way to the top over the bodies of other women.
This really needs to end, I'm damn tired of it.
Let's also remember that we're nearing the end of what's supposed to be Women's History Month. Did you see any outlets up the number of women that featured this month? No, of course not. They keep doing their 1/3 of the guests female and we're all supposed to look the other way.
It's disgusting.
Staying with media, let's move to HARD LENS MEDIA.
That's a hard hitting commentary from both hosts in the video above. US House Rep Pramila Jayapal has introduced a bill for Medicare For All and she states "that means that we now have a bill number. Medicare For All is officially HR 1976 "
And?
The hosts are correct that she and others refused to Force The Vote back in January. More to the point, does Pramila Jayapal think she's the first person to introduce this bill?
Has she never heard of Dennis Kucinich? Here's then-US House Rep Dennis Kuccinich doing just that in 2008. And here's Dennis two years prior to that talking about another bill that he introduced for Medicare For All that session. We could go on and on with this. If Jayapal wants credit for doing something then she needs to do something unique. Introducing a bill? She's not the first on the Moon with that action.
Staying with the media, MEMO offers:
The United States is to resume strategic talks with Iraqi officials next month regarding the status of combat troops, a senior Biden administration official said.
The talks will be the first set of US-Iraq meetings under President Joe Biden and are expected to set the tone for the relationship between the two countries during the next few years, the Associated Press reported.
Is that the language now? If it is, I'm fine with it. But I do want to know if this is now the official language? For years and years, they've not been called combat troops -- they were just there to advise and train, remember that?
They're combat troops, they've always been combat troops. But the press has played language games and pretend. Now MEMO (and AP before) are saying combat troops.
Logistics convoys affiliated with US terrorist forces were once again targeted in Iraq, Al-Mayadeen reported.
According to the report, a roadside bomb exploded near a convoy of American terrorists in Diwaniyah province in Iraq. Ashab l-Kahf group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Another roadside bomb targeted a convoy of US troops in Dhi Qar province in Iraq. Oliya al-Dam group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Again, they are combat troops.
We're going to again note IAVA is hosting a FACEBOOK Live event:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2021
CONTACT: press@iava.org
New York, NY – On Thursday, March 25th, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO Jeremy Butler will be joined by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL) and IAVA Member Advocates Sarah Letts and Corey Foster for a Facebook Live event focused on women veterans and burn pits and toxic exposures. The event will conclude IAVA’s virtual fly-in advocacy week.
“As veterans, we know the importance of working together for the greater good,” said Ranking Member Bost. “That’s exactly how we’re going to get veterans back to work and fully recovered from COVID-19, improve services for women, support those suffering from toxic exposure, and more. I’m ready to listen and learn from these leaders on Thursday about the challenges post 9/11 veterans are facing and the solutions IAVA is bringing to the table.”
Throughout the week, IAVA’s Member advocates are meeting with lawmakers from both parties to discuss the crucial issues facing the veteran community, including impacts from burn pits and toxic exposures, the veteran suicide crisis, the needs of women veterans, equitable access to VA healthcare, and more. Videos of the event will be recorded and available on IAVA’s website and social media channels.
“IAVA is laser focused on raising awareness and enacting real change for veterans and their families,” said IAVA CEO, Jeremy Butler. “And what a fitting way to end our advocacy event – with fellow veterans and Ranking Member Mike Bost, rallying for the betterment of our veteran community.”
This Facebook Live event will provide an overview on IAVA’s history of advocacy across legislative issues, including women veterans and toxic exposure. The event will also highlight personal stories from IAVA Member Advocates. There will be time allotted for viewers to ask questions throughout the event.
“I am so appreciative of the opportunity to represent IAVA members and veterans in general in discussing my experiences of combat toxic exposure, from burn pits to poorly treated water in degrading plastic bottles,” said Sarah Letts. “And I am encouraged by the focus on the treatment of and services for women veterans. Please join us in this important discussion.”
“I look forward to having a candid conversation about the needs of female veterans and the impact of burn pits and toxic exposures,” said Corey Foster. “It’s critical that as a collective group we raise awareness about these important issues so we can facilitate positive change for veterans and their families.”
Biographies of the Member Advocates for this week are available here. IAVA’s CEO Jeremy Butler and Member Advocates are available to meet with the media upon request through press@iava.org.
WHO:
Jeremy Butler, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Representative Mike Bost (R-IL), Ranking Member of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Corey Foster, Member Advocate
Sarah Letts, Member Advocate
WHAT:
IAVA Announces Facebook Live Event with Ranking Member Bost During Virtual Fly-in
WHEN: Thursday, March 25th at 5:00pm EST/ 2:00pm PST
WHERE: Join the Facebook Live event here. The event is open to the press.
Jeremy Butler serves as IAVA’s Chief Executive Officer. Jeremy joined IAVA with 15+ years of experience providing substantive and strategic counsel to leaders in high-profile government and private sector offices, including the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. He graduated from Knox College with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy Reserve. Butler regularly contributes to national media outlets across the country.
IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.
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That's later today.
Mike's "They were all better than Joe " isn't showing up on the links but it did post as did the following:
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George Ezra's Budapest4 hours ago
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WTF>5 hours ago
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There is no plan5 hours ago
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George Segal5 hours ago
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Mark Lane5 hours ago
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Angela Walker5 hours ago
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