FlyTheNest

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:

TechnicalEphemera wrote:

LadyCentauria wrote: Their latest article says this was the first test-flight using these new plastic-based fuel grains. Earlier tests were all ground-based burns. I am sure that they will persevere with the project but cannot see how they could have launched for passengers in Spring 2015, regardless – or not on the new fuel. But it is a competitive market and there is a race on and at least some of the passenger-seats were already installed. So perhaps they thought that, if Friday had gone well, they'd have been able to get enough tests in – and the relevant licences issued in time. And there is not just income but kudos and names in history books at stake for being The First.

I think they will be first, if they don't go bankrupt.

Four flights ever have fired the rocket, none to full burn and the first to try the new fuel had an issue.

Now I would think they will want hundreds of test flights on full burn before they get certified to carry passengers. This feels like three to five years away.

Nobody else is within a decade.

Now when looking at hype and expectations around high volume space travel I keep coming back to this 1980 article on the Space Shuttle. Amusingly on the economics his worst case scenario was too optimistic.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/featur ... ltext.html

SpaceX will be first now, I think. Their Falcon rockets, much more conventional tech liquid fuel rockets, have proven reliable so far (13 out of 13 successful launches so far for the Falcon 9) and the Dragon capsule has successfully delivered cargo four times to the ISS (albeit with a few minor mission glitches); they plan to commence testing of the astronaut carrying Dragon v2 next year and hope to see it enter service in 2017.

I can't see them making commercial passenger flights any time soon. It is possible they can put an astronaut into space.

Incidentally anybody who hasn't read the Washington monthly article I urge you to do so. It is still the gold standard on aviation journalism. Entertainingly in 79/80 NASA stated the shuttle would fly between December 80 and first quarter 81. Columbia finally made it in April 1981.

Goodnight, everyone.

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF

I hadn't realised the full context surrounding that picture of George Osborne. Sounds like his nakedness and the carrot waving were not the pinnacle of the bad taste on display ...

Heard the one about the Tory Summit to beat UKIP? MPs boozed until 3am, told filthy jokes...and enraged Osborne with this picture
Series of rude jokes made at boozy Conservative 'away day' in Oxfordshire
Sir Alan Duncan unveiled a painted caricature of a naked George Osborne
Shows the Chancellor holding an empty red Budget box and a carrot
Philip Davies MP mocked Osborne's Business Minister Matthew Hancock
Said: 'Anyone tempted to lick George Osborne’s backside should be careful as if you go too far you will find the soles of Hancock’s shoes in the way’
MPs had a banquet with free wine and partied until 3am in Chipping Norton
Stayed at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mr Cameron's Oxfordshire constituency
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... cture.html

Was this 'Tory away day' taking place on one of the days we plebs are paying for them to be working for us? Or don't they have a minimum hours worked for the electorate (rather than party antics) embedded as part of an MP's contract?

Dover UKIP Candidate Criticized

A UKIP candidate has been heavily criticised after he posted imaqges on his Facebook profile claiming London is full of "cosmopolitan poofters".
David Little, the UKIP PPC for Dover also used Godfrey Blooms description of Africa in an image where he once again referred to "Bongo Bongo lands".
The same image posted calls people from Scotland as ‘Ungrateful bastards’ and Wales as being full of ‘God-fearing fridge-cleaning women’.
Little has attempted to dismiss the postings as "humour"

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/ukip/dove ... cized-4106" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell wrote:Dover UKIP Candidate Criticized

A UKIP candidate has been heavily criticised after he posted imaqges on his Facebook profile claiming London is full of "cosmopolitan poofters".
David Little, the UKIP PPC for Dover also used Godfrey Blooms description of Africa in an image where he once again referred to "Bongo Bongo lands".
The same image posted calls people from Scotland as ‘Ungrateful bastards’ and Wales as being full of ‘God-fearing fridge-cleaning women’.
Little has attempted to dismiss the postings as "humour"

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/ukip/dove ... cized-4106" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Send him along to Wales and we'll set him straight. (Fully certified filthy fridge-behind slut living in Wales.)

rebeccariots2 wrote:

AngryAsWell wrote:Dover UKIP Candidate Criticized

A UKIP candidate has been heavily criticised after he posted imaqges on his Facebook profile claiming London is full of "cosmopolitan poofters".
David Little, the UKIP PPC for Dover also used Godfrey Blooms description of Africa in an image where he once again referred to "Bongo Bongo lands".
The same image posted calls people from Scotland as ‘Ungrateful bastards’ and Wales as being full of ‘God-fearing fridge-cleaning women’.
Little has attempted to dismiss the postings as "humour"

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/ukip/dove ... cized-4106" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Send him along to Wales and we'll set him straight. (Fully certified filthy fridge-behind slut living in Wales.)

You can put me in that bracket too.

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 56m 56 minutes ago
Latest GE15 prediction based on October GB polls from Electoral Calculus sees LAB 24 short of a majority - worst position for nearly 3 years

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 54m 54 minutes ago
Electoral Calculus October GE15 probability of possible outcomes. Poor polls no hurting LAB

Chart probability of possible outcomes.jpg (14.38 KiB) Viewed 12271 times

I notice Dominic Cummings is being a tad sceptical about david laws wish to have a panel of experts draw up the curriculum.

https://twitter.com/odysseanproject" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you page down they're numbered...the interesting one relates to something I wrote here in the 24th about the rewrite of the history curriculum.

odysseanproject @odysseanproject · 4h 4 hours ago
2/ The history curric was rewritten and signed off by a group of v eminent historians, not written by MG

1. That group of "v.eminent historians" included as I pointed out, Daisy Christodolou (not even a history teacher, Robert peal (history teacher for a max. 3 years), Dr David Green (heads up Civitas - no history background), Chris McGovern (schools history teacher and eminent only in the eyes of right wingers). So not all "v.eminent historians" then?

2. This relates to the rewritten curriculum - it's still not clear who wrote the original.

Cummings doesn't see the irony in not wanting politicians to interfere but then says this:

odysseanproject
‏@odysseanproject
6/ Laws tried to push 19th C novels out of Eng Lit GCSE cos he didn't like them. MG had to overrule this 'whim'

RogerOThornhill wrote:I notice Dominic Cummings is being a tad sceptical about david laws wish to have a panel of experts draw up the curriculum.

https://twitter.com/odysseanproject" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you page down they're numbered...the interesting one relates to something I wrote here in the 24th about the rewrite of the history curriculum.

odysseanproject @odysseanproject · 4h 4 hours ago
2/ The history curric was rewritten and signed off by a group of v eminent historians, not written by MG

1. That group of "v.eminent historians" included as I pointed out, Daisy Christodolou (not even a history teacher, Robert peal (history teacher for a max. 3 years), Dr David Green (heads up Civitas - no history background), Chris McGovern (schools history teacher and eminent only in the eyes of right wingers). So not all "v.eminent historians" then?

2. This relates to the rewritten curriculum - it's still not clear who wrote the original.

Cummings doesn't see the irony in not wanting politicians to interfere but then says this:

odysseanproject
‏@odysseanproject
6/ Laws tried to push 19th C novels out of Eng Lit GCSE cos he didn't like them. MG had to overrule this 'whim'

They just don't do self awareness do they?

Mike Smithson retweeted
George Parker @GeorgeWParker · 10m 10 minutes ago
Alistair Darling to step down as MP in 2015: FT exclusive interview
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fccba8f4-629c ... z3HwJLyHfl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

What?

Did others already know about this - and I've just woken up to it?

That's cooked some of our wish gooses.

rebeccariots2 wrote:

Mike Smithson retweeted
George Parker @GeorgeWParker · 10m 10 minutes ago
Alistair Darling to step down as MP in 2015: FT exclusive interview
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fccba8f4-629c ... z3HwJLyHfl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

What?

Did others already know about this - and I've just woken up to it?

That's cooked some of our wish gooses.

News to me too.

He's coming up to 61 so thinks that another 5 years will be too much. I know some MPs tend to go on and on but I'm guessing he's not keen to carry on.

It'll be "bad news for Ed" though and the papers will read all kinds of things into it like "It proves Ed will lose"

rebeccariots2 wrote:

Mike Smithson retweeted
George Parker @GeorgeWParker · 10m 10 minutes ago
Alistair Darling to step down as MP in 2015: FT exclusive interview
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fccba8f4-629c ... z3HwJLyHfl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

What?

Did others already know about this - and I've just woken up to it?

That's cooked some of our wish gooses.

First I heard of it is tonight

RogerOThornhill wrote:

rebeccariots2 wrote:

Mike Smithson retweeted
George Parker @GeorgeWParker · 10m 10 minutes ago
Alistair Darling to step down as MP in 2015: FT exclusive interview
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fccba8f4-629c ... z3HwJLyHfl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

What?

Did others already know about this - and I've just woken up to it?

That's cooked some of our wish gooses.

News to me too.

He's coming up to 61 so thinks that another 5 years will be too much. I know some MPs tend to go on and on but I'm guessing he's not keen to carry on.

It'll be "bad news for Ed" though and the papers will read all kinds of things into it like "It proves Ed will lose"

Yes - that last bit re interpretation of it as total doom for Ed - is inevitable. Will need to hibernate for 24 hours to avoid the onslaught.

Angela Merkel 'would accept UK exit from EU to protect migration laws'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29874392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In other news

BBC Breaking News ‏@BBCBreaking 1h1 hour ago
Jazz clarinettist Acker Bilk dies after short illness, aged 85 http://bbc.in/10Lkj9r" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oops Dave.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29874392

Angela Merkel 'would accept UK exit from EU to protect migration laws'


[edit] - beaten to it.

diGriz wrote:Oops Dave.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29874392

Angela Merkel 'would accept UK exit from EU to protect migration laws'

Hahaha, she really does run rings around him. Now *thats* how you play the game Dave.

In other news, wtf does Theresa May have to do to get sacked?

I think this is total bollocks (zero evidence, wishful thinking). But the Guardian has published another Green puff piece, so if it is your sort of thing enjoy.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... mentpage=1

Owen Jones - meh.

Heavyweight, serious, anti-Ed John Rentoul has just had to be told on Twitter that Switzerland doesn't just get to stop free movement of labour just like that....

What's he paid for?

"This immoral Government"

Robin Lustig.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/robin-l ... _hp_ref=tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Heavyweight, serious, anti-Ed John Rentoul has just had to be told on Twitter that Switzerland doesn't just get to stop free movement of labour just like that....

What's he paid for?

I often wonder that. Dan Hodges I get, the Telegraph loves his anti Ed stuff, but he is a guest writer. Rentoul has a proper job at the Indy and his laughable reporting is dragging their name through the mud.

HindleA wrote:"This immoral Government"

Robin Lustig.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/robin-l ... _hp_ref=tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Robin Lustig is excellent. There's virtually nobody left in the mainstream media with his integrity.

Oh dear,let the hate fest begin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29871522" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




"Taxpayers to receive summary detailing how takings are spent"

HindleA wrote:Oh dear,let the hate fest begin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29871522" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




"Taxpayers to receive summary detailing how takings are spent"

I thought that had died a death but coincidentally seems to have been brought in just in time for the election. Fancy.

So...no VAT, fuel duty, stamp duty etc. Utterly pointless except for propaganda purposes.

Fyi "the shenanigans involved"-assuming they haven't changed since April


http://lartsocial.org/COFOG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:In other news

BBC Breaking News ‏@BBCBreaking 1h1 hour ago
Jazz clarinettist Acker Bilk dies after short illness, aged 85 http://bbc.in/10Lkj9r" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh, sad. Danced to his band (and to the late, great Kenny Ball died last year). Firm favourites for RAF Summer Balls.

Time seriously running out for the gooduns.

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:

HindleA wrote:"This immoral Government"

Robin Lustig.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/robin-l ... _hp_ref=tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Robin Lustig is excellent. There's virtually nobody left in the mainstream media with his integrity.

Yes. He is, and thank you Adrian and Paul.

It's good to read someone whose anger and sorrow are still this raw. Someone who tells us the statistics that give the lie to the immigration hatred that is all around us. Who dares to speak with a real voice about this utterly immoral state we are now in. I only wish there were more like him. He makes the rest of them seem like wittering weak kneed fools.

There's been "some foreigners" staying at my Premier Inn this week! Spaniards wearing Airbus hi-viz jackets (male and female and quite youthful looking). They were delivered here last week by uniformed Officers from RAF Wittering. Last night in the bar was quite amusing and I stayed for longer over my latte trying to interpret what was being said!

Well, what was happening was all a secret but tonight the receptionist said "the press has got hold of the story so it's no longer a secret". Apparently, Tom Cruise has been there filming MI5. She also said Kevin Kostner, so I nearly got my car out again ........... But, she must be wrong about him as he's not mentioned in the various links to MI5.

Anyone heard anything?

Just to say I'm not around next week as I have a research trip. Forecast is...rain which is just wonderful as I'm outside most of the time...

giselle97 wrote:

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:In other news

BBC Breaking News ‏@BBCBreaking 1h1 hour ago
Jazz clarinettist Acker Bilk dies after short illness, aged 85 http://bbc.in/10Lkj9r" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh, sad. Danced to his band (and to the late, great Kenny Ball died last year). Firm favourites for RAF Summer Balls.

Time seriously running out for the gooduns.

The sound of many a weekend tropical pre-dawn hour. Not far from Ratmalana, all moonlit terrace, gin and shimmering sea. And further back, when he was young but I thought he was old, listening to Acker with my mum, wearing my first capris.

Hope your reprise was all you hoped for. I get mine soon.