Now if they'd just do an article on Stargate Command...

Well, while everyone at NASA has been knocking their heads together trying to build a fully reuseable replacement for the Space Shuttle, it turns out the USAF and the CIA already had one.

Link: http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/030606p1.xml

It's a nifty concept (and I love the idea of building a custom XB-70 as a carrier aircraft), but I doubt this revelation will have much affect on the civilian space arena. From the sounds of things it was a very specialized Black Project designed for recon missions, where cost was no object. Translating it into a civilian carrier that can compete economically with disposable launchers may or may not be a viable option, though I'm sure Rutan and Virgin Galactic will be hunting up for information that might useful for SpaceShip 2.

But do I get a drunk, worthless sidekick?

You scored as Commander William Adama. You have risen to your position by being damn good at what you do. Not only that, you have the deepest respect for the people under your command. You may be a little grumpy and unapproachable, but every commander needs to distance himself. Shame that you apply that to your children too. </td> Commander William Adama 69% CPO Galen Tyrol 63% Capt. Lee Adama (Apollo) 63% Col. Saul Tigh 44% President Laura Roslin 44% Tom Zarek 38% Dr Gaius Baltar 31% Lt. Sharon Valerii (Boomer) 31% Lt. Kara Thrace (Starbuck) 19% Number 6 13% What New Battlestar Galactica character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

Coming next, manually powered word processers (AKA typewriters)

So just for giggles (and to get some idea about daily life in Iraq for the common grunt), I like to download the monthly update to Preventive Maintenence, which I've commented on before. Aside from bunches of maintenences tips on equipment I didn't even know existed, it also has annoucements about new gadgets coming on the line. This month's big draw was a war ready laptop, usable in the field, with a touchscreen and loads of information on board for routine maintence. Also featured was the introduction of battery powered glowsticks.

Let me repeat that. The US Army, in it's infinite wisdom, decided to make a battery powered version of the common chemical glowstick.

God I love the military-industrial complex...