I've got another appointment with Juni on Manhattan, and things suddenly go from bad to worse. We kill the local police, acquire a macguffin, get into some battles and then escape to Magellan. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dffQp1Jmav8
It's well understood that from the surface of the Earth the curvature of the planet is not readily visible, but, as you travel higher the shape of the world becomes apparent to a casual glance. So I wanted to actually quantify this in an visual form using Youtube's 360 Video feature, it's obviously best experienced through a VR headset, or a 'Cardboard' style viewer, but you can also use the web browser if you just want to appreciate the visuals.
Music 'Future Memory' by Test Shot Starfish
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpUcZXiKtfU
Still loving this game, epic space battles and more missiles and engine trails than most mortals can handle. Apparently the game reviewers don't seem to be so hot on it, but having read many of the reviews it looks like many of the complaints are down to not actually reading the instructions. Well whatever I'm loving it.
http://strikesuitzero.com
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrOCF7eAEgo
Born from the tense geopolitical climate of the early 1960s, the Titan began its life as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It was an embodiment of American technological prowess and strategic might during the height of the Cold War. However, as time progressed, the Titan found its true calling, transforming into the most potent and dynamic rocket in the United States' arsenal.
The Titan's evolution was marked by its remarkable adaptability and power, as it took on the challenge of launching the largest, heaviest, and most secretive spacecraft for the United States Military. This impressive machine was no mere missile; it was a symbol of America's relentless pursuit of dominance in the final frontier. It played a key role in pioneering satellite technology, enabling critical reconnaissance missions, and even launching deep space probes on their exploratory journeys.
Over its 40-year lifespan, the Titan underwent several iterations, each one larger and more capable than the last. Its design was continually refined, incorporating advanced materials, improved fuel systems, and cutting-edge navigation technologies. This evolution was in part driven by its competition with the Space Shuttle, which presented a reusable alternative to traditional launch vehicles. The Titan rose to the challenge, proving its worth on countless missions and becoming an iconic figure in American space exploration history.
However, the march of progress is relentless. Despite its incredible achievements, the Titan ultimately succumbed to the realities of an ever-evolving space industry. The advent of the newer Atlas V and Delta IV rockets, with their superior efficiency and cost-effectiveness, marked the beginning of the end for the Titan. Its operations ceased, not because of any technical failing, but due to the economic calculus that governs the space industry.
The Titan may have been rendered obsolete in the face of modern launch vehicles, but its legacy lives on. It stands as a testament to a time when the skies were a new frontier and when launching the biggest, heaviest spacecraft was more than a mission—it was a matter of national pride. Even as we look to the future of space exploration, we remember the Titan: the rocket born as a missile, that became a symbol of America's audacious reach for the stars, and eventually ended its journey due to the inevitable evolution of technology and economics.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvxT4bHP4y0
Orbital mechanics can be oddly unintuitive at times, so I set out to cite a few examples where the most natural thing to do it the opposite of what you want to do.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5XPFjqPLik
After years of exploring the counterclockwise space we finally encounter a rival species, discover the existence of a 4th, and bring a new species to the galactic stage as a vassal of our empire.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyb0dBSAmxA
The forthcoming release of Star Citizen's Arena Commander module now includes a tutorial, and it's quite a revelation, being the first piece of scripted content that takes a player through boarding a spaceship, launching, flying & fighting. It's a great taste of things to come in the Squadron 42 campaign.
I played this on the PTU server, so there are a couple of glitches, but it's a good experience, and lets all players have a go on the Gladius.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMW0g0n1isI
In response to suggestions that gravity losses account for the 200m/s difference in my calculated dV requirements. By Launching from the moon you can calculate the gravity losses, and, it turns out that my initial estimate of 50m's is close to what this simulation showed.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCFc3Rq3PBI