Aug 282012
 
Robonaut 2: Alive and Suddenly Super Busy

NASA is finally letting Robonaut 2 do some stuff and sharing it with the public – there’s actually a steady feed of news, only mildly cheesy 1st-person commentary, and some decent R2 photos & video beaming down from the ISS.

Aug 112012
 
Remember NASA's other Robot? Dear Robonaut 2, What is it that YOU do?

After STS-133’s February 2011 delivery, the handsome and sleek and high-tech NASA/General Motors collaboration has kept a pretty low profile. What’s he doing up there? Also, R2’s got competition and an impending Space Torso Love Triangle!

Aug 082012
 
There's a New Machine on Mars. Again. It's Different this Time, Right?

About this Mars mission: What’s up here? Why is it so much more exciting this time? Maybe just the global convergence of social media around an aggressively virile meme? What do you think? Ideas? Suggestions? Derision?

Aug 042012
 
Curiosity about Curiosity, Part 2 – Approach: Only 5 Million Kilometers to Mars (3 Days!)

Curious about Curiosity? GET READY: Links to a free XBox game, mobile apps, NASA TV’s live coverage, and a serving of expository technosnark with a side of cheese!

Jul 202012
 
Japanese Technology from the Future Friday!

This Week’s Dispatch: Little J-satellites go to the ISS – one to do morsecode, and Russians stop (?) the smuggling of radioactive Japanese cars whilst Japan buys radiation detectors from England. Hmm.

Jul 182012
 
Curiosity about Curiosity, Part 1 - Primer: Only 35 Million Kilometers to Mars!

Getting a 2000lb. (907KG) nuclear-powered super-sensitive rover the size of a Mini Cooper to Mars, in one piece, and then have it go about its science and report back… well, the effort alone is monumental, and its success will be entirely profound.