Day: February 26, 2012

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Cool NASA Facts….

Amazing who you meet….

So the other day I have the privilege to speak with someone who worked for NASA.  We talked about a lot, I attended Space Camp and love the idea of Space exploration.  Here are some cool facts…

  • The Space Shuttle can both take off and land unattended.  This would allow the use when inspection reveals some potential flaws which may cause an accident.  With that said, in order to save costs until a new space vehicle has been produced, may spend less time getting the shuttle cleaned up and simply launch it unmanned with the eventual destruction of the aging fleet.  The only problem with this…..the Smithsonian is supposed to get one 🙂
  • The American Flag on the Moon is plastic!  I guess it should be expected since there is 1/6 gravity on the Moon.  I used to think that since there was not any gravity and therefore by “molding” the flag, it would just stay that way.
  • The blast off of the lunar lander likely knocked the flag down.  This being said, the first person to commercially visit the moon will likely swipe the flag.
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Good thing bikes don’t have cruise control

Below is a recount of my ride home from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum this afternoon.

3:15 pm

Left the museum to take my normally uneventful commute home from my day of volunteering.

3:20 pm

Watched as a Pedicab goes through a red light on Pennsylvania Ave.  I was hoping he was not “hired,” but unfortunately there was a family in the back.  Why risk the lives of others, let alone your life!

3:22 pm

Almost hit a pedestrian who was walking down the center of the Pennsylvania bike lane texting as he walked. Honestly!  Did he think it was a sidewalk?  Maybe want to be paying a bit of attention if you are in the middle of the road?

3:24 pm

Still on Pennsylvania Avenue….might have been hit had I not been paying attention and noticed a car making an illegal U-Turn.

3:35 pm

Near the end of the 15th street cycletrack, concierge hails a cab for some guests, but they don’t even look before they walk in front of me to get in the cab.

3:45 pm

At 15th and P Streets NW, pedestrians hail a cab and the taxi pulls over blocking the bike lane to load luggage and passengers.

Conclusion

I have concluded that if cyclists were in some way distracted, there would be many more collisions with pedestrians and vehicles.  Inventors, please don’t make a 4 wheel bike or cruise control.  LOL.

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