The Space Shuttle Through History

NASA's shuttle program was marked by stunning developments and devastating loss. With its current fleet retired, here is a look back at some of the more notable missions.

1981 -- Columbia


Columbia becomes the first shuttle to go into orbit, launching on April 12, 1981, for a two-day mission.

The objective of the mission is to "demonstrate safe launch into orbit and safe return of the orbiter and crew," says a summary of the flight on NASA's website. It is also used to "verify the combined performance of the entire shuttle vehicle - orbiter, solid rocket boosters and external tank."


All systems test successfully, NASA says.

The second shuttle mission occurs seven months later.


1984 - Challenger


Canadian Astronaut Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space when he flies aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1984.

1986 -- Challenger


On Jan. 28, 1986, many gather around their TV sets to watch the launch of Challenger. Aboard is the first teacher to go into space, Christa McAuliffe.

Just 73 seconds after liftoff, a series of structures fail on the shuttle, causing it to explode. The flaw that brings down Challenger is a poorly designed seal in the shuttle's solid rocket booster.

The shuttle program is suspended pending an investigation. In 1988, Discovery is the first spaceflight attempt after the Challenger accident.

1990 -- Discovery


The Hubble Space Telescope is taken to space aboard Discovery on April 24, 1990. It is deployed in a 610-statue-kilometre orbit.

Hubble revolutionized astronomy with its pictures of the universe. But it has recently been beset by problems. In late June, its main camera stopped working, and it will need new batteries and gyroscopes if it is to keep working beyond next year.

1995 -- Atlantis


On June 27, 1995, Atlantis blasts off for what is the 100th U.S. human space launch conducted from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Other firsts on this flight include the inaugural docking of a space shuttle to the Russian Space Station Mir, on June 29. When linked, Atlantis and Mir form the largest spacecraft ever in orbit. The two crews switch spacecraft for an on-orbit changeout of shuttle crew.

Atlantis undocks from Mir on July 4 in a separation sequence described by shuttle Commander Robert Gibson as a "cosmic" ballet. The spacecraft lands back on Earth on July 7.

1998 -- Endeavour/Discovery


On Dec. 4, 1998, Endeavour launches into space for a 12-day mission aimed at starting the assembly of the International Space Station.

Just two months earlier, Discovery takes U.S. Sen. John Glenn into orbit. At 77, Glenn is the oldest person to go into space. During the nine-day mission, he participates in studies on the effects of weightlessness on aging.

In 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Mercury.

1999 -- Columbia


Eileen Collins becomes the first female shuttle commander as the leader of the Columbia crew on its July 1999 mission. Just four days long, it is the shortest mission since 1990.

One of the main goals of the mission is to place the Chandra X-Ray Observatory in orbit.

The flight is almost aborted after Columbia leaks more than 4,000 pounds of hydrogen fuel during takeoff. The problem causes one of the main engines to shut off prematurely, but Columbia still makes it into space.

2001 -- Endeavour


In April of 2001, Chris Hadfield makes history as the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space. During the eight-day mission, he helps install the new Canadarm2 on the International Space Station.

The 17.6-metre robotic arm is essential to the continued construction of the space station.

Hadfield isn't the first Canadian to go to the ISS. Julie Payette visits in 1999, followed by Marc Garneau in 2000.

2001 -- Endeavour


On Dec. 5, 2001, Endeavour becomes the first shuttle to go into space following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington.

On board are 6,000 small U.S. flags that are to be distributed to the families of the victims after the shuttle returns to Earth. Other items on board include the U.S. flag found on the World Trade Center site after the attacks, and a U.S. Marine Corps Colours flag from the Pentagon.

The shuttle also carries photographs of the firefighters lost in the attacks.

2003 -- Columbia


Columbia lifts off on Jan. 16, 2003 with seven astronauts on board, including the first Israeli astronaut. After a 16-day mission, it is scheduled to land on Feb. 1, but instead breaks apart over Texas during re-entry.

A piece of foam that had broken off from the ship's fuel tank during liftoff does extensive damage to the shuttle's wing. NASA does not realize the extent of the damage to the shuttle's heat shield until Columbia disintegrates 16 minutes before touchdown.

2005 -- Discovery


Discovery, which launches on July 26, 2005, is the first spaceflight attempt following the Columbia disaster.

Between the two flights, NASA engineers had redesigned the external fuel tank, to cut down on falling debris. Managers were then surprised when a piece of foam broke off of Discovery. It doesn't do any major damage but NASA is forced to ground the shuttle fleet and make more modifications.

Four landing opportunities are waved off at Kennedy Space Center due to poor weather conditions. Discovery eventually touches down at Edwards Air Force Base in California on the night of Aug. 9.

*CTV News

Microsoft Patents "Ones and Zeroes"

 

REDMOND, WA—In what Board as Founder and Technology Advisor, Bill Gates called "an unfortunate but necessary step to protect our intellectual property from theft and exploitation by competitors," the Microsoft Corporation patented the numbers one and zero Monday.

With the patent, Microsoft's rivals are prohibited from manufacturing or selling products containing zeroes and ones—the mathematical building blocks of all computer languages and programs—unless a royalty fee of 10 cents per digit used is paid to the software giant. 

"Microsoft has been using the binary system of ones and zeroes ever since its inception in 1975," Gates told reporters. "For years, in the interest of the overall health of the computer industry, we permitted the free and unfettered use of our proprietary numeric systems. However, changing marketplace conditions and the increasingly predatory practices of certain competitors now leave us with no choice but to seek compensation for the use of our numerals." 

A number of major Silicon Valley players, including Apple Computer, Google and Facebook, said they will challenge the Microsoft patent as monopolistic and anti-competitive, claiming that the 10-cent-per-digit licensing fee would bankrupt them instantly.

(An example the binary equivalent of the word "ripoff" is 01010010 01101001 01110000 01101111 01100110 01100110, so that works out to  48 1's and 0's totaling $4.80)

--s-a-t-i-r-e, people! (from The Onion, updated)

Ask The Wizard (Bits and Bytes)

Dear Wizard of 'OZ',

How many times larger is 1GB than 64 Megabytes?

Signed,

Vince

 

 

Dear In-Vince-Able,

Well, 1024 bytes is equal to 1KB
1024 KB is equal to 1 MB
1024 MB is equal to 1 GB...
so... 1024MB / 64MB = 655.36% larger

Hope this helps

Yrs,

The Wizard

Note: Vince clarified: 1024 / 64 = 16 In other words a 1GB SD card can hold 16 times the information that a 64 MB SD card can hold...

The Bikini (a look back at 60 years)

 Turned 68 in 2021, a look back on this famous garment

Click Above.

Gays and Lesbians more likely to be Millionaires

 

A 2016 study shows gays and lesbians are more likely to have a net worth in excess of $1 million compared to the average American adult.

There's been a lot of debate over the true spending power of LGBT people and many theories have been proposed as to why gays and lesbians have more discretionary income than straights. After all, most adult LGBT people don't have the same financial obligations as our heterosexual counterparts, such as children. For LGBT people that do have children, greater spending power is only a myth as reported in the news story about gay minority parents having less income than heterosexual parents. However, a 2016 Financial Planner LA study sheds new light on the wallet size of all gays. 

Click here to read the article.

Boy is that wrong.... at least according to me!

What users hate most about Web sites

Too many sites are low on usability and high on annoyance 

Click here to view 'The World's Worst Website Mistakes'. Let's hope that you don't find 'OZ' this anoying!

Users have a short fuse when they are browsing the Web, according to Theresa Cunnington, senior usability consultant with services firm iFocus.

"It doesn't matter how cool a Web site looks, if users find it impractical they will head to your competitor's site, which is only a click away," Cunnington said.

"Flash animations are an obvious, yet stellar, example of what users hate in a Web site; the skip intro button is the most used button on the Internet.

"Users hate flash because it's a barrier to the site."

Cunnington describes Flash as a classic example of "Jurassic Park Design," that is, designing what you 'can,' rather than what you 'should.'

She said Web sites are constantly torn between form and function and as technology changes, new variants on old issues stand out, and new problems emerge.

Head of Comunet's Web site design, Damien Coyle believes design is crucial for an effective Web site.

"You need to represent your corporate image, which should reflect company ideals," Coyle said.

"Not everyone is going to access your site so you need only address the target audience."

The top five Web site quirks that users hate the most, according to iFocus are:

1. Invasive advertising: Cunnington says users widely despise ads that cover content, ads that flash wildly and ads that chew broadband.

2. Re-inventing the wheel: people do not want to have to learn how to use a site before they can browse it, Cunnington said.

3. 'Leap of faith' links: that means disclosing information on content and file size.

4. Attention-deficit Web sites: "Users have a special hatred of flashing icons and banners, because they draw the eye away from what is important and hinder their progress," Cunnington said.

5. War and Peace length: "A common mistake in Web design is to just [convert] a brochure to the Web. But the Web is its own medium, and communication has to change to reach users. Users are known to read 25 percent slower on the screen than on paper, read fewer words and don't like long pages which require scrolling down," she said.

Another problem is site blindness. "We are now seeing right-column blindness, where users do not see information and links down the right hand side of the screen. This occurs because the right hand column has become known for advertising," Cunnington said.

*By Sandra Rossi, Computerworld Today (Australia)

Poking Fun at Forwarders...

Thanks to all . . .

I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the one about rat poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.



I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.


I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.


I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.


I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.


I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.


Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.


Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.


I no longer can buy gasoline without taking a man along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.


I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans.


I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.


And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.


I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.


I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.


I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.


I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.


I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan.


I no longer have any sneakers -- but that will change once I receive my free replacement pair from Nike.


I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.


Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.


Thank you too for all the endless advice "Andy Rooney" has given us. I can live a better life now because he's told us how to fix everything.


And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 I dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.



Oh, and don't forget this one either!


I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!


If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousins beautician...



Have a wonderful day!

Ask The Wizard (Ink Cartridges)

 

Dear Wizard of 'OZ',

I find that new inkjet cartridges are so expensive. How do the generic and refilled ones measure up?

Signed,

Running On Empty

Dear Running

Following are a few printer/cartridge buying tips that might help you save a few bucks. I'm skeptical about refill kits, but I also think that, for some people, they might be worth a look.

Business users - buy genuine. It's a business expense so get over it.

Printing out photos? Stick with genuine cartridges. Since you're going to be paying for the paper you want quality output that will last!

If you think your printer isn't going to have a huge workload, then:

- buying a cheap printer might be for you. Yes, you'll be faced with more expensive cartridges but chances are that you'll only need to buy one or two a year

- know the costs before you buy - find out how much consumables are going to cost before you buy a printer

- try refilled cartridges or refill kits, especially if you don't need high-quality output. If you are going to go down the "refill yourself" path, then refill them before they hit empty as you seem to get better results

- change cartridges yearly because they do deteriorate with age (the ink dries out and clogs the print head)

If your printer is going to be worked hard, then:

- be wary of buying a cheap printer as running costs could be high

- know the costs before you buy - find out how much consumables are going to cost before you buy a printer

Why not experiment with refilled cartridges or refill kits? If you print a lot of document that quickly end up in the trash or the shredder, and quality doesn't matter an awful lot, then you can get to a point where you can have one set of genuine cartridges for best output and another set (refilled) for the rest.

If your current printer takes cartridges that are expensive, then you might be able to save money by buying a new printer.

Hope this helps.

Yrs,

The Wizard

Happy Couple

 

Husband:  Oh, come on.
Wife:  Leave me alone!
Husband:  It won't take long.
Wife:  I won't be able to sleep afterwards.
Husband:  I can't sleep without it.
Wife:  Why do you think of things like this in the middle of the night?
Husband:  Because I'm Hot.
Wife:  You get hot at the darndest times.
Husband:  If you love me I wouldn't have to beg you.
Wife:  If you love me you'd be more considerate.
Husband:  You don't love me anymore.
Wife:  Yes I do, but let's forget it for tonight.
Husband:  Please...come on.
Wife:  All right, I'll do it.
Husband:  What's the matter? Need a flashlight?
Wife:  I can't find it.
Husband:  Oh, for heaven's sake, feel for it!
Wife:  There! Are you satisfied?
Husband:  Oh, yes.
Wife:  Is it up far enough?
Husband:  Oh, that's good.
Wife:  Now go to bed and from now on when you want the window open, do it yourself!

Canada's Two Michaels Finally Released From Chinese Prison

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were released under a side deal to the agreement that saw U.S. prosecutors resolve criminal charges against Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

The file has been “very active” in recent weeks, with the Canadian government operating “very closely with the Americans” on this, said one official, who was not authorized to speak on the record.

It is understood that the U.S. government’s deal with Meng included a quid pro quo that covered the two Michaels. 

Make Magnetic Poetry!

Note: The Wizard and 'OZ' - The 'Other' Side of the Rainbow does not make any money if you  decide to purchase from this site. I just think it's cool.

Click above

*Thanks to David J. Bauman for the Link! Visit His website

37 New Emojis Approved For Use

 

Governing emojis body The Unicode Consortium has announced its finalized list of new emojis, set to hit devices “sometime next year.”  

While it’s always a challenge to pick new emoji from among the thousands of submissions, the latest batch of new emoticons as shown off by Emojipedia includes some real bangers like the biting lip emoji, the new person with crown emoji, and my personal favorite—the melting face emoji—which probably accurately describes how a lot of North Americans are feeling after surviving the hottest ever summer on record this year.

This makes sense to me!!

I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, start out dead and get it out of the way. Then you wake up in an old age home feeling better every day.. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. 

You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous and you get ready for High School. You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, then, you spend your last 9 months floating peacefully with luxuries like central heating, spa, room service on tap, larger quarters everyday, and finally you finish off as an orgasm. 

I rest my case.

Giggles, Guffaws and Groaners

Apparently to start a zoo you need at least two pandas, a grizzly, and three polars...

It's the bear minimum. 

My boss calls me "the computer"...

Nothing to do with intelligence, I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes. 



Captain Hook, Captain Crunch, and Captain America walk into a bar. Hook says, "Ahoy mates, I'll buy the first round. Just let me go to the bathroom real quick."

The others wait and when Hook comes back Captain America asks, "Hey Hook, how bout those drinks?"

Hook yells, "Shove it up yer stars and stripes, ya flag waving boy scout!"

America turns to Crunch, "Why's he suddenly so irate?"

Crunch says, "Well, that's what happens when you take the P out of a pirate." 



"You're beautiful and I love you!" I yelled as I stood alone on the cliff.

My echo replied, "I just want to be friends!"  

I’m not interested in any diet plan...

Unless of course it lets me use rollover calories! 

What do a tick and the Eiffel Tower have in common?

They're both Paris-sites! 

Father is giving his son some life advice.

Father: “If you want to be a good man, you must be honest and cautious in life.”

Son: “And what does that mean?”

Father: “You must fulfill everything you’ve promised.”

Son: “And cautious?”

Father: “Never make any promises.” 

I had some words for my wife...

She had some paragraphs for me! 

As a way to compensate for their absence, a group of golfing buddies decided to all pitch in twenty bucks and one with the best golf score would take their wife dancing and dinner. The wives liked this idea since it was more than they had before.

Fred's wife was especially wanting him to win and the moment he returned after golfing she excitedly asked, "Are we having a special dinner tonight Fred?"

"Yes we are my dear, how does Peking Duck sound?"

She said, "That sounds great."

Fred replied, "Good, while driving over the pond on the 7th hole, I accidentally hit one. All we need now is the recipe."

Life hack...

You can turn your ordinary sofa into a sofa bed simply by forgetting your wife’s birthday.  

Who's the genius that decided to call it "Emotional baggage"...

.... and not "griefcase." 

My teenage son asked me if I ever fell in love with a high school teacher.

"In fact, I did. She was gorgeous! I couldn't take my eyes off of her... I dreamt of a life together with her day and night."

"Wow! What happened with that, dad?" he excitedly asked.

"Your mom moved you to another school."  

SHARING SOMETHING HEARTWARMING

 

In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favourite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honour. 
Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honour you." 
So he agreed. 
After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honoured by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.  Einstein was once travelling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. 

The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it." 
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. 
The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem.  You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one." 
Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'" 
Having said that Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. 
You know what that occasion is?  This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this: 

I not only know who I am .. I also know where I'm going." 
May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door.

R.I.P. Al Harrington (1935 - 2021)

Al Harrington, best known to classic TV fans as Detective Ben Kokua in the original “Hawaii Five-0” series, died Tuesday. He was 85.

His death was confirmed by family members, who said he had been hospitalized recently after suffering a stroke.

Harrington was a Samoan-American actor, singer, and teacher. In 2018, he was the recipient of a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts.

$6,000,000.00 later and we are in the same boat as before the election!

After $6,000.000.00 spent on the recent Canadian election, we are in almost the exact same position as before the election

Ethel

Ethel was a bit of a demon in her wheelchair, and loved to charge around the nursing home, taking corners on one wheel and getting up to maximum speed on the long corridors. Because the poor woman was one sandwich short of a picnic the other residents tolerated her and some of them actually joined in.

One day Ethel was speeding up one corridor when a door opened and Kooky Clarence stepped out with his arm outstretched. 

"STOP!," he shouted in a firm voice. "Have you got a license for that thing?" 

Ethel fished around in her handbag and pulled out a Kit Kat wrapper and held it up to him. "OK" he said, and away Ethel sped down the hall.

As she took the corner near the TV lounge on one wheel, weird Harold popped out in front of her and shouted "STOP! Have you got proof of insurance?" Ethel dug into her handbag, pulled out a drink coaster and held it up to him. Harold nodded and said "On your way, Ma'am."

As Ethel neared the final corridor, Crazy Craig stepped out in front of her, Butt- Naked, and holding his "You-Know- What" in his hand. "Oh, good grief," yelled Ethel, "Not that Damn Breathalyzer Test again.!!!"

One for the Cree Kids...

 

The teacher walks in and finds an apple on her desk with the letters "ILU" written on it. She asks who left the apple, and a little white girl raises her hand. Well, sweetie, what does "ILU" mean?" 

The little girl replies, "I love you." 

The teacher says, "isn't that sweet" and continues with class.

The next day the teacher finds a banana on her desk with the letters "YAS" written on it. The teacher asks who left the banana and what the letters meant. 

A little white boy raises his hand and says, "It means, "You are special" 

"Thank you sweetheart," the teacher says. 

The following day, the teacher walks in to find a basket of bannock with the letters "F U C K" written on it. The enraged teacher asks who left it. 

A little Indian girl raises her hand and cheerfully says, "Yes ma'am, I left it. It means, "From Us Cree Kids."

TWENTY DOLLARS

On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband and asked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter. In his highly aroused state, her husband readily agreed.

This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30 years, with him thinking that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes and other incidentals that she needed. Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband in a very drunken state. During the next few minutes, he explained that his employer was going through a process of corporate downsizing, and he had been let go. It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find another position that paid anywhere near what he'd been earning, and therefore, they were financially ruined. 

Calmly, his wife handed him a bank book which showed more than thirty years of steady deposits and interest totalling nearly $1 million. Then she showed him certificates of deposits issued by the bank which were worth over $2 million, and informed him that they were one of the largest depositors in the bank. She explained that for the more than three decades she had "charged" him for sex, these holdings had multiplied and these were the results of her savings and investments. Faced with evidence of cash and investments worth over $3 million, her husband was so astounded he could barely speak, but finally he found his voice and blurted out, "If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I would have given you all my business!" That's when she shot him. You know, sometimes, men just don't know when to keep their mouths shut!

Can You Believe This Is Icing?

Marzipan Babies Thought you'd be as fascinated with these as I. These are made with marzipan ... really unbelievable! While some of the faces may look "crafted" rather than "real", every detail is amazing, and the rest looks VERY real.

Thumb Wars

R.I.P. Willie Garson (1964 - 2021)

Actor Willie Garson, who played Stanford Blatch in "Sex and the City",  Gerard Hirsch in "Hawaii Five-O", and Mozzie in "White Collar," has died, according to an HBO spokesperson. He appeared in over 75 films and more than 300 TV episodes. He died following a 'secret' cancer battle. He was 57 years old.