The perennial debate over whether the newest incarnation of Star Trek is worthy of the name rears its ugly head, and so here is my latest take on it:
I have fond memories of watching the original series, before anyone had ever imagined that there could be a sequel of any kind. However, I suppose I am peculiar in that I do not wish every kind of Trek to be exactly like the original, and — forgive me — while I think that the literalistic New Voyages series is wonderful, I do not believe it is the only legitimate approach to Trek.
When the first Trek movie was released, I remember how fantastic it looked, not how different it was from the classic series.
When the Star Trek: The Next Generation hit the airwaves, I was proud of Trek’s TV resurrection rather than irritated that Picard was nothing like Kirk.
When Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was aired, I was delighted that there were two new Trek series to watch for weeks on end.
And so on.
Maybe I’m not enough of a fan to some, but I prefer fresh new takes on classic ideas over exact imitations of that which cannot really be copied. I am enough of a rationalist to abstract out the essence of a thing, without demanding that it is the literal repetition of it.
The only way to preserve something so that it is exactly the same as it was is to imprison it under glass, hermetically sealed, in a museum, forever. And that is something that, fan or not, I do not wish for Trek.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Superbowl Advertisement for Star Trek Movie
A new advertisement will air during the Superbowl today. Posted above is a scene which makes use of the Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge. Digitally inserted modifications from the actual shoot are clear from a comparison with photographs taken during filming last year, available on this blog.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New Enterprise Revealed
An image of the new starship Enterprise was revealed online for the first time today. The ship was designed for the upcoming Star Trek movie to be released in May of 2009.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Obama's New Stance on NASA
Senator Obama recently stated, ""And we have to do more than provide short-term relief. We have to secure our long-term prosperity and strengthen America's competitiveness in the 21st century. One of the areas where we are in danger of losing our competitive edge is our space program. When I was growing up, NASA inspired the world with achievements we are still proud of. Today, we have an administration that has set ambitious goals for NASA without giving NASA the support it needs to reach them. As a result, they've had to cut back on research, and trim their programs, which means that after the Space Shuttle shuts down in 2010, we're going to have to rely on Russian spacecraft to keep us in orbit.
"We cannot cede our leadership in space. That's why I will help close the gap and ensure that our space program doesn't suffer when the Shuttle goes out of service by working with Senator Bill Nelson to add at least one additional Space Shuttle flight beyond 2010; by supporting continued funding for NASA; by speeding the development of the Shuttle's successor; and by making sure that all those who work in the space industry in Florida do not lose their jobs when the Shuttle is retired - because we cannot afford to lose their expertise.
"More broadly, we need a real vision for space exploration. To help formulate this vision, I'll reestablish the National Aeronautics and Space Council so that we can develop a plan to explore the solar system - a plan that involves both human and robotic missions, and enlists both international partners and the private sector. And as America leads the world to long-term exploration of the moon, Mars, and beyond, let's also tap NASA's ingenuity to build the airplanes of tomorrow and to study our own planet so we can combat global climate change. Under my watch, NASA will inspire the world, make America stronger, and help grow the economy here in Florida."
He's also reported to have said, "I know it's still being reported that we were talking about delaying some aspects of the Constellation program to pay for our early education program. I told my staff we're going to find an entirely different offset, because we've got to make sure that the money that's going into NASA for basic research and development continues to go there. That has been a top priority for us."
Source: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1298
(Emphasis added. Hyperlinks in the original. Links are the sole responsibility of SpaceRef.)
If Obama's comments are genuine, then this reflects a reversal of his earlier position which appeared to be relatively hostile to NASA's Project Constellation. Nevertheless, note that Obama is still emphasizing "basic research and development," which is conceptually different from space applications of which Project Constellation may be one.
"We cannot cede our leadership in space. That's why I will help close the gap and ensure that our space program doesn't suffer when the Shuttle goes out of service by working with Senator Bill Nelson to add at least one additional Space Shuttle flight beyond 2010; by supporting continued funding for NASA; by speeding the development of the Shuttle's successor; and by making sure that all those who work in the space industry in Florida do not lose their jobs when the Shuttle is retired - because we cannot afford to lose their expertise.
"More broadly, we need a real vision for space exploration. To help formulate this vision, I'll reestablish the National Aeronautics and Space Council so that we can develop a plan to explore the solar system - a plan that involves both human and robotic missions, and enlists both international partners and the private sector. And as America leads the world to long-term exploration of the moon, Mars, and beyond, let's also tap NASA's ingenuity to build the airplanes of tomorrow and to study our own planet so we can combat global climate change. Under my watch, NASA will inspire the world, make America stronger, and help grow the economy here in Florida."
He's also reported to have said, "I know it's still being reported that we were talking about delaying some aspects of the Constellation program to pay for our early education program. I told my staff we're going to find an entirely different offset, because we've got to make sure that the money that's going into NASA for basic research and development continues to go there. That has been a top priority for us."
Source: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1298
(Emphasis added. Hyperlinks in the original. Links are the sole responsibility of SpaceRef.)
If Obama's comments are genuine, then this reflects a reversal of his earlier position which appeared to be relatively hostile to NASA's Project Constellation. Nevertheless, note that Obama is still emphasizing "basic research and development," which is conceptually different from space applications of which Project Constellation may be one.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
On SpaceX and Related Matters
There is much talk about harnessing the power of private industry in reaching for the stars. And yet it wasn’t private industry that got us to the Moon.
It was, however, private industry and private greed that got us into the mortgage crisis we’re in now.
For all the talk about how government agencies are inherently socialistic, NASA is no more a victim of socialism than our armed forces, and yet I find it interesting that, except for libertarians, conservatives who disparage the government always draw the line at funding the armed forces. Perhaps we could avoid all the NASA-bashing by making NASA the fifth branch of the armed services.
But to be fair, it isn’t right to say that private industry has no role in space exploration, either. Both sides of this debate have their points. It’s just that it is quite disappointing that SpaceX has failed so many times so long after NASA had already pioneered the essential aspects of spacecraft launch and staging. Must we always reinvent the wheel, after all, and exactly how many times shall we do so?
It was, however, private industry and private greed that got us into the mortgage crisis we’re in now.
For all the talk about how government agencies are inherently socialistic, NASA is no more a victim of socialism than our armed forces, and yet I find it interesting that, except for libertarians, conservatives who disparage the government always draw the line at funding the armed forces. Perhaps we could avoid all the NASA-bashing by making NASA the fifth branch of the armed services.
But to be fair, it isn’t right to say that private industry has no role in space exploration, either. Both sides of this debate have their points. It’s just that it is quite disappointing that SpaceX has failed so many times so long after NASA had already pioneered the essential aspects of spacecraft launch and staging. Must we always reinvent the wheel, after all, and exactly how many times shall we do so?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Bigger, Stronger: To the Moon, Ares!
NASA has recently announced that its Ares V heavy lift vehicle will be 20 feet taller than originally planned, putting it about that much taller than the Saturn V. The Ares will also sport an additional main engine, for a total of six; its main core fuselage will be extended; and its solid rocket boosters will be lengthened by half a segment.
The Ares V has improved its lift capability by approximately 10 percent. Its six first-stage engines and two solid rocket boosters will develop a thrust of almost 8.9 million pounds.
In this new configuration, the Ares V will be capable of lifting nearly 188 metric tonnes into Low Earth Orbit and, in coordination with the Ares I, nearly 71 metric tonnes to the Moon. This far exceeds the abilities of even the venerable Saturn V, currently by far the holder of the world's record for the most powerful rocket ever to achieve operational status.
Plans call for astronauts to return to the Moon by 2020. Ralph Kramden, presumably, need not apply.
Sources: NASA, Wikipedia.
The Ares V has improved its lift capability by approximately 10 percent. Its six first-stage engines and two solid rocket boosters will develop a thrust of almost 8.9 million pounds.
In this new configuration, the Ares V will be capable of lifting nearly 188 metric tonnes into Low Earth Orbit and, in coordination with the Ares I, nearly 71 metric tonnes to the Moon. This far exceeds the abilities of even the venerable Saturn V, currently by far the holder of the world's record for the most powerful rocket ever to achieve operational status.
Plans call for astronauts to return to the Moon by 2020. Ralph Kramden, presumably, need not apply.
Sources: NASA, Wikipedia.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Phoenix Discovers Ice
Scientists are persuaded that they have unearthed ice on Mars. Investigators at the University of Arizona have found from an examination of the spacecraft's latest imagery that white spots in a trench unearthed by the Phoenix Mars lander disappeared over the course of time, indicating that they had undergone the process of sublimination, or the evaporation of ice directly into vapor.
For an animation, see: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/253084main_dodo_020_024.gif
For an animation, see: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/253084main_dodo_020_024.gif
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