Uplifting Transparency

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The folks at Hazegrayart have done a remarkable job of visualizing four famous rockets in a way that shows their fuel stages as being transparent. This allows for a whole new perspective on staged launches and just what is happening with rocket systems we have seen in action over the decades of the space age.

The four launch sequences of different rockets are set against the audio track of the Apollo 11 launch. It is fantastic to see the varied quantities and fuel burn rates. Also instructive is the relatively coordinated timing of transitional states encountered by the spacecraft. Thanks for bringing some new clarity to how these remarkable systems work.

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Ground Control to Major Tom

Reentry: An Orbital Simulator is a captivating and immersive video game that allows players to experience the intricate challenges of guiding a spacecraft through Earth's atmosphere and safely landing it. This simulator provides a realistic and educational environment where players can test their skills in controlling spacecraft during the crucial phase of reentry and landing.

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The game places a strong emphasis on physics and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for both space enthusiasts and budding aerospace engineers. Players can gain insights into the complexities of reentry, orbital mechanics, and the precise timing required for a successful landing. Reentry: An Orbital Simulator not only offers a thrilling gaming experience but also serves as an engaging educational platform for understanding the intricacies of space travel and reentry.

AI-enhanced article

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The Audaciousness of Apollo

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Still serving as an inspiration today for those hoping that the human race will someday venture beyond the orbit of our moon to other planets and beyond, the Apollo program is still unsurpassed in its scope and audaciousness. From its inception and from the very moment that President John F. Kennedy declared that America should set out on the grand adventure of setting a man on the moon and safely returning him to earth, the program was marked by boldness.

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Recently, the bivouac’s appreciation of the effort grew after acquiring and putting together just a Lego version of the rocket. The size of the astronauts in comparison to the rocket reminds one of just how daunting the program must have felt at times for the tens of thousands of citizens who contributed to the accomplishment. It is fantastic to see the challenge of space travel being taken up once again with the likes of Elon Musk's SpaceX group. Below is a nice clip showing various space vehicles rendered on pad 39-A for side-by-side comparison.

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Prospective Perspective

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Given the bivouac's interest in alternative futures, it is great to see more sophisticated provocations in videos like "One Hundred Hunters" from Nigel Stanford.

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With its masterful mixture of new and authentic retro footage from NASA, the combined storytelling helps fire the imagination. After all, there are so many questions about why we have not been back to the moon since 1972...or perhaps we have?

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Sci-Fi Illustrator Visionary Peter Elson

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At its best, science fiction provides design inspiration and a powerful means of looking ahead toward possible futures. The term "science faction" refers to things once represented in science fiction that have actually come into existence. I gave a TEDx Talk a while back exploring how the phenomenon of "science faction" can inspire us as we design for the future of education.

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My first encounter with science fiction was during Christmas of 1979. I was twelve and still reeling from seeing "Star Wars" two years earlier. That Christmas, I received "Great Space Battles" by Stewart Cowley and Charles Herridge. Written with the authority and detail of a history textbook, the richly illustrated stories of future space exploration and conflicts captured my imagination. 

For hours, I studied and tried to replicate the exquisite details of Peter Elson’s work and others in my work. Through attempting to replicate their masterpieces, I learned about light sources, shadow play, proportions, shading, perspective, implied materiality, and aspects of physics. Last but certainly not least, I learned about the art of applying" greebles,” or intricate details that make surfaces more exciting and enhance a sense of the scale of objects.

I was honored by a local hero artist named David Morris (who went on to work at Industrial Light and Magic) when he noted how well I applied greebles. That early praise of my drawings, along with supportive parents and an excellent elementary school Art teacher named Ms. Tilson, helped build my creative confidence. Through studying Peter Elson’s work, I learned the power of imagination to take us to new places.

Below are a few early inspirations from Peter Elson. To take a closer look at Elson's work, visit: www.peterelson.co.uk

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Operation Ares by Peter Elson

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