The Big Falcon Rocket will start construction in 4-6 months.

SpaceX BFR construction will start in 4 to 6 months | NextBigFuture.com

SpaceX BFR construction will start in 4 to 6 months

 From article, (SpaceX plans to replace of all their current rockets by the early 2020s with the BFR. Tooling for the main tanks has been ordered and a facility to build the vehicles is under construction; construction of the first BFR is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2018. SpaceX has the aspirational goal for initial Mars-bound cargo flights of BFR launching as early as 2022, followed by the first crewed BFR flight one synodic period later, in 2024. Serious development of the BFR began in 2017.)



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San Francisco is thinking of putting in place Paid Express lanes which Reduces Traffic for when you are in a hurry.

SF considers paid express lanes on highways to ease traffic congestion

San Francisco may see paid express lanes on its oft-clogged highways in an effort to combat traffic congestion. When the San Francisco County Transportation Authority staff gave its governing board a sneak peek at a study to create carpool lanes on Highway 101, as well as Interstate Highway 280, on Dec.

From article, (San Francisco may see paid express lanes on its oft-clogged highways in an effort to combat traffic congestion.

The project would see express lanes — which are hybrid carpool lanes and paid lanes — created along southbound I-280 in San Francisco, and portions of northbound I-280, as well as northbound Highway 101 and a segment of southbound 101, stretching from the San Mateo County line to AT&T Park. Studies for the project began in late 2015, according to Chang.

Chang told the Examiner if the project was enacted, some portions of the highways would see some existing lanes repurposed to be express lanes, as well as new lanes created on the shoulder of the freeway.

Supervisor Jane Kim asked Heidel what agency or authority would administer the revenue from the express lanes.

“We’re not sure yet,” Heidel answered. “That’s one item still under study.” Fees also have not yet been established.

Heidel rebuffed any idea that express lanes were about making a profit for agencies. “We let demand manage the prices,” he said, and explained that highways move people most efficiently when traffic moves at 45 miles per hour, so the express lanes would likely be crafted to “keep people moving at 45 mph.”

Any funding garnered, he said, would likely be used to pay for transportation, bicycle and other road improvements aimed at easing traffic congestion.)

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 Me, "This is the only way to reduce traffic. You need to charge for use of roads. Its that simple. If people saw that they were going to be charged, they would only use the roads when they really needed too, and if they didn't, they would ride on mass transit. Its the ease of using these highways that lead to congestion.""

Tolling needs to be looked at when cars don't pay into the Gas Tax anymore.

Five imperatives for transportation infrastructure funding

In early 2018 the Trump administration will turn its attention to our deteriorating and outmoded infrastructure. It is about time. The federal gas tax has not been increased since 1993. The Highway Trust Fund that distributes gas tax dollars to states is facing insolvency even after a $70 billion transfer from general revenues in 2016.

 From article, (In early 2018 the Trump administration will turn its attention to our deteriorating and outmoded infrastructure. It is about time. The federal gas tax has not been increased since 1993. The Highway Trust Fund that distributes gas tax dollars to states is facing insolvency even after a $70 billion transfer from general revenues in 2016.

According to the Committee for Responsible Federal Budgets, “CBO projects those funds to run out by 2021. By 2022, spending will total $58 billion while revenue will total $40 billion … Over the next decade, spending will exceed revenue and reserves by $139 billion.”

Tolling interstates is not available to most states because of federal regulations. Tolling is fair and, with new technologies, can be very efficient. It is relatively easy to retrofit a highway with gantry to collect tolls electronically.

Tolling is the next logical user fee as the federal gas tax reaches the limits of its ability to generate revenue. It should be an option in any funding formula.)

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Where can you make $400 dollars an hour and have almost no skills?

Guess where high school dropouts can make $400 an hour

In this week's imaginary career advice column, one reader writes: Well, Unworthy, I'm glad you asked that. It turns out I have just the job for you: performing largely unskilled labor building subway tunnels in New York City! An accountant discovered the discrepancy while reviewing the budget for new train platforms under Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.

From article, (In this week's imaginary career advice column, one reader writes:
Dear Ed,
I'm a high school dropout and have no marketable skills, but I feel entitled to earn $400 an hour. What kind of career path could you recommend?
Sincerely,
Unworthy but Entitled

Well, Unworthy, I'm glad you asked that. It turns out I have just the job for you: performing largely unskilled labor building subway tunnels in New York City!

An accountant discovered the discrepancy while reviewing the budget for new train platforms under Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.

The budget showed that 900 workers were being paid to dig caverns for the platforms as part of a 3.5-mile tunnel connecting the historic station to the Long Island Rail Road. But the accountant could ... identify [only] about 700 jobs that needed to be done, according to three project supervisors. Officials could not find any reason for the other 200 people to be there.

One part of Local 147's deal entitles the union to $450,000 for each tunnel-boring machine used. That is to make up for job losses from "technological advancement," even though equipment has been standard for decades.

But maybe the idea of working on subway tunnels, even at $400 an hour, doesn't appeal to you. If you're willing to consider a small pay cut, consider working for the New York transit authority, where the average compensation is $140,000 a year.

New York City Transit paid $6.2 billion in wages and benefits for the 44,256 workers and bosses who operate the subways and buses. That works out to average compensation of $140,000, essentially the same as workers in city agencies, according to Jamison Dague, the director of infrastructure studies at the Citizens Budget Commission.

You could even work in a ticket booth for about $112,000 a year, even though 83% of all subway fares are sold by machines and workers in ticket booths have nothing to do most of the time and are prevented, by union rules, from helping out in any other part of the station.

This is all made possible by the cozy relationship between unions and Democratic politicians. [Republicans too.])

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 Me, "Unbelievable. While the writer of this article blames Democrats for keeping the system in place that makes MTA construction jobs run over budget, and NYC transit workers do nothing from archaic rules, Republicans are just as at fault. You've had Democrat and Republican mayors and governors come and go but the main problem, unchecked unions, stays the same. The solution is you have to get rid of unions. Republicans and Democrats do not want to change the status quo for fear of unions striking, causing untold problems with the riding public.

You want to lower construction costs or lower the outrageous salaries of MTA conductors? You have to pass a law in Albany stating Unions are not allowed to have anything to do with government agencies like the MTA and New York City Transit. These unions have pushed up the cost of projects, and they have pushed up the pay for conductors and bus drivers to ridiculous levels. How much do you need to earn to drive passengers somewhere or, build MTA construction projects before it becomes obvious that the Unions need to be put in their place?"

Cities and Counties pledge to be powered by 100% Renewable energy by 2050.

The Power of Water, Wind, and Solar (and Nothing Else) - Eos

Road map for improving climate calls for 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050.

 From article, (The central idea of the road map is to electrify all sectors and to have all of this electricity come from wind, water, and solar while using the most-energy-efficient technology available. This would require onshore and offshore wind turbines, solar photovoltaics on rooftops and in power plants, concentrated solar power (using mirrors and lenses to reflect sunlight and collect solar heat to generate electricity), geothermal power, tidal and wave power, and existing hydroelectric dams. The plan also calls for electricity storage in solar cells, pumped hydroelectric power, batteries, and existing hydroelectric dams; heat storage in water, rocks, and cement; cold storage in water and ice; and hydrogen storage in tanks.

Implementing the plan outlined here would require massive public and private action, with cooperation at every level. Although this might sound daunting, a number of entities are already on board: Approximately 50 cities in North America and more than 100 businesses around the world have already pledged to transition. Many countries have increased their development of water, wind, and solar infrastructures.)

From, https://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/commitments

(Cities Committed to 100% Renewable Energy

Abita Springs Abita Springs, LA is committed to transition 100% of the town’s electricity to renewable energy sources by December 31, 2030. Contact LeAnne Pinniger Magee Take Action Take Action Mayor Greg Lemons has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Amherst Amherst, MA is committed to enabling a community-wide transition to 100% clean, renewable energy and is calling on the State of Massachusetts to adopt a statewide goal of 100% renewable energy.
Angel Fire Angel Fire is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
Atlanta Atlanta is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2035. Contact Ted Terry Learn More
Boulder In December of 2016, Boulder City Council made the commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030! Contact Bryce Carter Take Action Take Action Mayor Suzanne Jones has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Breckenridge Breckenridge, Colorado is committed to powering municipal operations with 100% renewable energy by 2035, and a goal of 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Beth Groundwater Take Action
Cambridge In April 2017, Cambridge committed to transition 100% clean and renewable energy community-wide, including building energy use and transportation, by 2035.
Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA, is committed to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Pete Hasapopoulos Mayor Mary Casillas Salas has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Columbia Columbia, SC is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2036. Contact Chris Hall Mayor Steve Benjamin has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Del Mar Del Mar, California is committed to achieving 50% renewable electricity by 2020, and 100% by 2035. Learn More Deputy Mayor D. Dwight Worden has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Downingtown Downingtown Borough, PA commits to 100% clean renewable energy by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Sarah Caspar Mayor Josh Maxwell has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Eagle Nest Eagle Nest is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
East Hampton East Hampton, New York is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2020 and 100% renewable heating, cooling and transportation by 2030. Learn More
Edmonds Edmonds, WA, is committed to 100% renewable energy for the City’s community electricity supply by 2025, and 100% renewable energy for municipal facilities by 2019. Contact Victoria Leistman
Georgetown Georgetown, Texas is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2017. Learn More Mayor Dale Ross has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Goleta Goleta, California, is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity for municipal facilities and community-wide supply by 2030. Contact Katie Davis Goleta: Set a 100% Clean Energy Goal
Hanover The Town of Hanover, New Hampshire is committed to a community-wide goal of transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and a 2050 goal of transitioning heating and transportation to run on clean, renewable sources of energy. Contact Ally Samuell Take Action
Hillsborough The Town of Hillsborough, North Carolina commits to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy for all sectors by December 31, 2050 or sooner and 80% clean, renewable energy by 2030. And calls on The State of North Carolina to do the same! Contact Caroline Hansley
Lafayette Lafayette, CO is committed to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Contact Bryce Carter Mayor Christine Berg has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Madison Madison, WI is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity. Contact Elizabeth Katt Reinders
Menlo Park Menlo Park has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030, and is setting the example today by already powering all municipal operations with 100% renewable energy. Contact Diane Bailey Mayor Kirsten Keith has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Moab Moab is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2032. Contact Lindsay Beebe
Monterey Monterey is committed to transition to renewable electricity community-wide by 2040. Learn More Mayor Clyde Roberson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Nederland Nederland, Colorado is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2025. Contact Eryka Thorley
Nevada City Nevada City, California, commits to transition to 100% renewable energy for its community electricity supply by 2030, and 100% renewable energy in all sectors including transportation and heating systems by 2050!
Orlando The city of Orlando, Florida, is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030 and community-wide 100% clean electricity by 2050! Contact Phil Compton VICTORY: Orlando Set a 100% Clean Energy Goal! Mayor Buddy Dyer has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Palo Alto Since 2013, Palo Alto, California's electricity is 100% carbon neutral. Learn More Mayor Greg Scharff has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Park City Park City, UT is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2032. Contact Lindsay Beebe Learn More Mayor Jack Thomas has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Phoenixville Phoenixville, Pennsylvania commits to transition to 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline Mayor Michael J. Speck has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Portland Portland, Oregon is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035, and to meet all energy needs, including transportation, heating and cooling, and electricity, with 100% renewable energy by 2050. Contact Laura Stevens
Pueblo Pueblo, CO is committed to transitioning to a healthy, affordable 100% renewable energy system with greater community control and equitable access by 2035. Contact Meral Cooper Take Action
Questa Questa is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
Red River Red River is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, Utah is committed to achieving 100% renewable energy for community electricity supply by 2032 and 50% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2020. Contact Lindsay Beebe Learn More Mayor Jackie Biskupski has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
San Diego San Diego is committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2035. Learn More Mayor Kevin Faulconer has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
San Francisco San Francisco is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
San Jose San Jose, California is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2022. Learn More Mayor Sam Liccardo has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Santa Barbara The Santa Barbara City Council approved a measure that establishes a community-wide goal of transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. The resolution also commits the city to transition all municipal buildings and operations to 50 percent clean electricity by 2020. Contact Katie Davis Take Action Mayor Helene Schneider has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Sarasota Sarasota FL is committed to achieving 100% zero-emission, renewable electricity by 2045. Contact Phil Compton Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Solana Beach Solana Beach has committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Pete Hasapopoulos Learn More
South Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe is committed to transitioning entirely to renewable sources of electricity by 2032. Contact John Friedrich
Southampton Town of Southampton has committed to meet 100% of the community-wide electricity consumption needs through renewable energy sources by the year 2025. Learn More
St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri, commits to transition to 100% clean energy in the form of wind and solar and energy efficiency measures within the electricity sector by 2035. Contact Sara Edgar Take Action
St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity. Contact Lisa Hinton 100 Percent St Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Taos The City of Taos, NM is committed to transitioning its electricity to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Learn More
Taos Ski Valley Taos Ski Valley is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
Truckee The Town of Truckee, California is committed to achieve 100% renewable electricity for municipal facilities by 2020, 100% renewable electricity town wide by 2030, as well as all energy sources by 2050. Contact Brian Beffort Mayor Morgan Goodwin has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
West Chester West Chester Borough, Pennsylvania, is committed to transition community-wide to 100% clean renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Jim Wylie Mayor Jordan Norley has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.

Cities Powered by 100% Renewable Energy

Aspen As of 2015, Aspen, Colorado is powered by 100% renewable electricity - a mix of approximately 50% wind, 45% hydropower, and the remaining 5% from solar and landfill gas. Learn More Mayor Steve Skadron has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Burlington As of 2014, Burlington, Vermont is powered by 100% renewable electricity. Learn More Mayor Miro Weinberger has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Greensburg As of 2013, Greensburg, Kansas is powered with 100% renewable electricity. Learn More Mayor Bob Dixson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
Kodiak Island Since 2012, Kodiak Island is powered by 100% renewable electricity.
Rock Port Rock Port, MO is powered by 100% wind energy. Learn More

Counties Committed to 100% Renewable Energy

Buncombe County Buncombe County, North Carolina, commits to the goal of 100% clean, renewable energy for municipal operations by 2030, and for the larger community and county by 2042.
Multnomah County Multnomah County, Oregon is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035, and to meet all energy needs, including transportation, heating and cooling, and electricity, with 100% renewable energy by 2050. Contact Laura Stevens
Orange County North Carolina, Orange County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution committing the County, the State, and the United States to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy sectors-based economy, by January 1, 2050 or sooner. Contact Caroline Hansley
Summit County Summit County, Utah, is committed to transition to net-100% renewable electricity across the county by 2032. Contact Lindsay Beebe
Taos County Taos County is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Learn More
Whatcom County Whatcom County, WA adopted an ordinance that commits the County to transition County Operations and the larger Whatcom County community to 100% renewable electricity.
States Committed to 100% Renewable Energy
Hawaii Hawaii is the first state in the U.S. to set a state-wide goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2045 Contact Jodi Malinoski

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Decarbonizing Scotland and Offshore wind will be big this Year.

Here's why 2018 will be a pivotal year for the renewable energy industry

Those outside the renewable energy industry would be forgiven for reading the headlines on the sector and assuming business is booming. Green energy now supplies more than half of the electricity used in Scotland. The world's first floating wind farm delivered electricity to the Scottish grid in October.

 From article, (Heat, which makes up half of the energy we use in Scotland, is a very specific challenge.

\While it’s comparatively simple to decarbonise electricity, as we have done with wind, hydro, biomass, solar and more, the infrastructure which underpins the heat sector is more complicated.

District heating, where many buildings are connected to one heat source by a network of underground pipes, has the potential to cut emissions – but retrofitting the technology is expensive.

Hydrogen, which can be produced from renewably-generated electricity, is another solution, but using it would require costly upgrades to the gas grid, as well as appliances in homes across the country.

The challenge in transport is also complex, with electric vehicles vying with biofuels and, again, hydrogen for dominance.

What is certain is that we’re going to need more renewable electricity to satisfy increased demand from heat pumps, EVs and more.

One area which enjoys government support, however, is offshore wind. 2018 will be a big year here for Scotland, which is finally poised to take advantage after years of legal and consenting delays.

The signs are already positive, and we are already seeing unprecedented demand for Scottish Renewables’ Offshore Wind Conference, which will be held in Glasgow in January.)

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Germans got A nice Present for the recent Holidays. Free electricity.

Germany paid people to use electricity over the holidays because its grid is so clean

Electricity prices dipped below zero on Christmas in Germany. That means consumers were essentially paid to use electricity. This situation arises because Germany's renewable energy plants - primarily wind and solar - are very efficient at generating power, but can't yet match supply with demand.

From article, (People in Germany essentially got paid to use electricity on Christmas.

Electricity prices in the country went negative for many customers — as in, below zero — on Sunday and Monday, because the country's supply of clean, renewable power actually outstripped demand, according to The New York Times.

The phenomenon is less rare than you may think.

Germany has invested over $200 billion in renewable power over the last few decades, primarily wind and solar. During times when electricity demand is low — such as weekends when major factories are closed, or when the weather is unseasonably sunny — the country's power plants pump more electricity into the grid than consumers actually need.

The disparity arises because wind and solar power are generally inconsistent. When the weather is windy or sunny, the plants generate a lot of electricity, but all that excess power is difficult to store. Battery technology is not quite advanced enough to fully moderate the supply to the grid.

It's important to note that Germany's utilities companies aren't depositing money directly into consumer's accounts when this happens. Rather, the periods of negative-pricing lead to lower electricity bills over the course of a year.

These irregularities need to get figured out sooner rather than later, since renewable energy is growing rapidly, driven by the declining cost of technology and government subsidies. The International Energy Agency predicts that renewable energy will comprise 40% of global power generation by 2040. In the next five years, the share of electricity generated by renewables worldwide is set to grow faster than any other source.)

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MIssile Defense gets a boost from Trump Administration, And Options for Space Based Laser Weapons are Included.

Trump administration moves to boost homeland missile defense system despite multiple flaws

Citing North Korea's growing nuclear and ballistic missile threat, the Trump administration is moving to vastly expand the problem-plagued homeland missile defense system despite warnings that the planned upgrades may not succeed. Immediate plans call for building two $1-billion radar installations and adding 20 rocket interceptors to the 44 already deployed in underground silos at Ft.

From article, (Citing North Korea’s growing nuclear and ballistic missile threat, the Trump administration is moving to vastly expand the problem-plagued homeland missile defense system despite warnings that the planned upgrades may not succeed.

Immediate plans call for building two $1-billion radar installations and adding 20 rocket interceptors to the 44 already deployed in underground silos at Ft. Greely in Alaska and at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The Pentagon also is taking steps to launch new satellites to help each interceptor’s “kill vehicle” find, crash into and destroy incoming ballistic missiles high above the atmosphere.

The expected cost is about $10.2 billion over five years, on top of more than $40 billion already spent for the system. On Thursday, Congress passed a short-term government funding bill that includes $200 million to start preparing construction of additional missile silos in Alaska.

Even more ambitious missile defense projects may be on the way.

On Dec. 12, Trump signed a defense authorization bill that requires the missile agency to develop plans to ultimately deploy 104 interceptors — perhaps by building new missile silos in the Midwest or on the East Coast. The agency also is preparing options to deploy space-based laser weapons for missile defense.

The interceptors form the core of the existing Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, or GMD. It is designed to track and destroy a limited number of incoming missiles from North Korea, Iran or another non-superpower adversary, not the kind of cataclysmic nuclear exchange envisioned in the Cold War.)

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What SETI will look for over the next 20 to 200 years for life, may be totally unlike anything we are now doing.

How scientists are expanding the spectrum for SETI and the search for alien life

BERKELEY, Calif. - Twenty years after the movie "Contact" brought the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI, to the big screen, it's dawning on astronomers that the real-world plotline might turn out to be totally different 20 years from now. So far, SETI has been dominated by radio telescope surveys looking for anomalous patterns that may point to alien transmissions.

 From article, (So far, SETI has been dominated by radio telescope surveys looking for anomalous patterns that may point to alien transmissions. But SETI’s practitioners are realizing that E.T. may make its presence known in other ways.

Over the next 20 years, or 200 years, SETI may come to stand for sensing extraterrestrial irregularities, ranging from unusual atmospheric chemistry to higher-than-expected thermal emissions. The telltale signs of life beyond our solar system may even be associated with phenomena we haven’t yet come across.

“Two hundred years from now, people are going to look at what we’re doing, and probably laugh and say, ‘Why weren’t they looking for tachyons, or subspace communications,’ or something like that,” Dan Wertheimer, chief scientist for SETI at the University of California at Berkeley, joked during a presentation held at the university in conjunction with the World Conference of Science Journalists in October.

Questions about the potential for life beyond our solar system are much sharper now than they were in 1997, when “Contact” came out, largely because space surveys have established that there could be billions of potentially habitable planets out there.

Anglada-Escudé said the planet search is increasingly focusing in on potentially habitable worlds — such as Proxima Centauri b, the nearest exoplanet, which he and his Pale Red Dot team detected just last year.
Such telescopes could tease out the spectral signatures of alien atmospheres, looking for chemical imbalances that could hint at biological activity. It’s more complex than just finding, say, oxygen or water vapor.

“The detection has taken so long not because we didn’t have the technology, but because we didn’t know where to search,” he said.
Fortunately, more information is on the way — from giant observatories such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which is now due for launch in 2019; and from smaller, more focused missions such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, to be launched next year.

Now that astronomers know how to check red dwarf stars for potentially habitable, close-in planets, “this is going to be happening more often,” Anglada-Escudé said.Which raises an issue: So far, astronomers have judged the livability of alien planets on the basis of their orbital positions, assumed densities and how much light they get from their parent stars. But to determine whether they’re truly habitable, and whether they have a chance of harboring life, much more information is needed.

Fortunately, more information is on the way — from giant observatories such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which is now due for launch in 2019; and from smaller, more focused missions such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, to be launched next year.

Such telescopes could tease out the spectral signatures of alien atmospheres, looking for chemical imbalances that could hint at biological activity. It’s more complex than just finding, say, oxygen or water vapor.

“There might be CO2, there might be even molecules we don’t expect to be there at all,” Anglada-Escudé said. “We might see emission features. … When you have the ability to detect methane, oxygen, you can find things that you don’t expect at all.”

Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at California’s SETI Institute, said more powerful telescopes could look for the waste heat given off by highly advanced civilizations, or the radioactive waste left behind by the civilizations that didn’t last.)

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A Universal Vaccine for the Flu can't come fast enough. The good news is that this technique can be used with other viruses, too.

Universal vaccine could end annual flu shots and eventually work for other viruses, too

Flu cases are on the rise across the U.S. as the season gets underway, but vaccinations for the bug aren't always popular. Last flu season, the CDC says just 41.7 percent of American adults got a flu shot.

 From article, (“It is coming, this is the future of flu vaccines -- to have a universal flu vaccine,” Fuller said. “We really believe we can do better than to have to guess every single year what to include in the vaccine and hope it's a good enough match,” she said.

The new “universal” vaccine uses genetic material of the influenza virus – the part that doesn't mutate – and teaches your body to recognize it.

“They go like little micro injections into your skin cells,” Fuller explained.

But you won’t have to endure a shot or any needles. Her lab developed a "gene gun" that loads up microscopic particles with the DNA into a cartridge, then it uses gas to push out the particles into your skin.

“Then your skin cells are going to start producing flu antigens,” Fuller said.

Fuller is also working on developing a disposable version of the gene gun that would be self-contained and could be widely distributed.

She says the gene gun doesn’t hurt at all, because the particles are too small for your skin to feel.

The DNA vaccine is something Fuller says she’s worked on for 12 years.

Her team has already shown monkeys that got the new DNA vaccine were protected even from mutated strains of the flu. Their research was just published last week.

Fuller says it could mean the end of the annual flu shot.

“You get this and you should have immunity for many years against any kind of flu that comes about,” she said.

The new vaccine still needs to go through clinical trials with humans. Fuller hopes it will be on the market in five to 10 years.

Fuller and her team are already testing the technology of DNA vaccines with other diseases, like Zika and HIV.)

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People wanting to put down money, for a place in line, for a Tesla car, lead to a dependable funding stream.

E-hauling interest fuels demand for Tesla semi

SAN FRANCISCO - Big freight haulers want some tryout time with Tesla's new semi truck.Orders are trickling in for the sleek vehicle, unveiled in mid-November. Recently, United Parcel Service said it wants 125. PepsiCo ordered 100. Budweiser parent Anheuser-Busch reserved 40. Sysco, the big food distributor, wants 50.

 Me, "The Semi and Roadster are ways of Tesla to draw more funding (by deposits) to sustain and expand production on the Model 3. It is by no means an accident that Elon Musk held off on any real news on the Model Y and Pick up Truck. He is holding them back in reserve in case he has to draw even more funding. It seems holding deposits on a popular car/truck is a new way of creating capital. There is nothing wrong with asking for deposits to hold a space in line for the newest model, especially if it can be refunded. Its just another way of raising money without having to sell more stock, have a public fund raising or invest in more debit."

From article, (Big freight haulers want some tryout time with Tesla’s new semi truck.

Orders are trickling in for the sleek vehicle, unveiled in mid-November. Recently, United Parcel Service said it wants 125. PepsiCo ordered 100. Budweiser parent Anheuser-Busch reserved 40. Sysco, the big food distributor, wants 50. Wal-Mart ordered 15.

That’s peanuts compared with the 940,000 heavy-duty semi trucks sold around the world each year, 238,000 of them in the U.S. — and the Tesla truck won’t be available until 2019 at the earliest.

But it’s a strong start for a new entry in the semi market. And it proves that major freight operators, intent on cutting costs without degrading service wherever possible, are taking the Tesla Semi seriously.)

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Why are we spending this much money on SLS when you have Spacex's Falcon Heavy and Blue Origin's, soon, New Glenn rockets to compete with. The Best path forward is to Privatize SLS and Let Boeing operate it.

Could a Lunar Fuel Depot Jump-Start Human Exploration of Deep Space? - Out There

In my previous post I started a conversation with spaceflight entrepreneur Charles Miller, who shared his insights about how NASA's human spaceflight program got been stuck in low-Earth orbit and how we could enter a new era of deep-space adventure. Part one of the interview focused on the role of private industry in radically lowering ...

 From article, (Meanwhile, what do you do with huge pieces of NASA infrastructure already underway, most notably the Space Launch System (SLS)?

I wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed in 2013 with [former Pennsylvania representative] Bob Walker. I suggested that the best path forward is to privatize SLS and let Boeing operate it on a level playing field with SpaceX and Blue Origin. I don’t think anything else makes any sense. It’s an easy way for Congress to rectify the situation.

In a world where the [new SpaceX] Falcon Heavy and the [upcoming Blue Origin] New Glenn rockets are launching, everybody is looking around and saying, “Why are we spending all this money on SLS?” If SLS is a better launch vehicle, it’ll win on a level playing field. Boeing gets free development costs – it spent over $20 billion [in government contracts] to develop SLS. Boeing will get the benefit of that, and we’ll just call that a wash. If Boeing can’t compete with SLS under those circumstances then it’s their problem, right?)

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How would Trump's Infrastructure Plan Work?

The Infrastructure Challenge - How Do You Do Big Things in an Election Year?

There is a shortage of long-distance truck drivers because of traffic jams. It is like this: Truck drivers are paid by the mile and if they are stuck in traffic for hours, they are not earning. A different wage structure could be conceived and implemented.

 From article, (At the core of the thinking of Trump and the GOP is that infrastructure revitalization can be achieved with public-private partnerships. Sounds good: the costs are shared and the federal budget is eased. In reality, of the huge number of infrastructure needs, very few are amenable to public-private partnership. Outside of toll roads, not all that much is immediately receptive to such partnerships, and they can take years to negotiate.

The quickest fix for the infrastructure is to increase the amount of funding through established channels, like the Highway Trust Fund and the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, also called the Aviation Trust Fund. These are the mechanisms that exist. It is the way that governments — federal, state and local — know what to do. It also is the “money solution” and likely to run into severe disfavor from fiscal conservatives.

The idea that all infrastructure, from airports to sea and river ports, to highways and bridges can be dealt with in one omnibus bill — the implication of Trump’s rhetoric — is fading. Think of it this way: An old mansion — as is U.S. infrastructure — is falling apart. Does the owner take on the whole upgrading job, from dry rot remediation to electrical rewiring to roof replacing? Or does he or she do it room by room?

In what is going to be a financially constrained year, as the consequences of the tax cut are digested, look for big hopes and small dollars. The deliverables in the time frame are few.

The midterm elections will dominate. Therefore, Republicans will push for privatizing the air traffic control system and initiating private-public partnerships in things where there will eventually be a revenue stream to justify the private investment — possibly seaports; possibly selling off federally owned properties, like some airports; and giving accelerated regulatory relief to projects like new pipelines and transmission lines, one of the most difficult infrastructure undertakings.)

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South Korea will join the club of space faring nations that have sent a craft to the Moon. It will launch in 2020.

SpaceX selected to assist 2020 South Korean lunar orbiter voyage

The Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter on the exploration effort A South Korean orbiter to be launched toward the moon in 2020 will be carried on a rocket by the private US aerospace manufacturer SpaceX.

 From article, (A South Korean orbiter to be launched toward the moon in 2020 will be carried on a rocket by the private US aerospace manufacturer SpaceX. “The US company SpaceX has been selected to carry out the scheduled launch of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) in 2020, and a launch contract was signed on Dec. 15,” the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced on Dec. 18.

For the first stage of its lunar exploration effort, KARI plans to cooperate internationally with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on development and operation of the KPLO and establish the necessary core technology and an independent base for lunar exploration. The KPLO is to carry a payload of six items, including a domestically developed high-resolution camera, wide-angle polarimetric camera, lunar gamma ray spectrometer, lunar magnetic field scanner, and space internet, along with a shadow camera developed by NASA.)

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Getting a new 2018 Leaf in Japan? Get free installation of Solar Panels on your home.

Nissan promotes solar energy with new 2018 Leaf

Electric vehicles and home solar energy go hand in hand. It enables electric vehicle owners to drive on sunshine and mitigate any increase in electricity consumption due to their new vehicle. In the past, Nissan has often partnered with solar installers to promote solar energy with new electric vehicle purchases and now they started doing it again in Japan with the new 2018 Leaf.

 From article, (The Japanese automaker announced yesterday:

“Owners of the new Nissan LEAF in Japan can receive free installation of solar panels for their homes if they sign up for an electricity retail plan offered by Ecosystem Japan. The offer is part of a joint campaign by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Ecosystem Japan. It aims to promote the use of clean energy to power the 100% electric Nissan LEAF.

New LEAF owners who sign up for Ecosystem’s Jibun Denryoku (“personal electricity”) plan qualify for free installation of a solar power generation system. They can also get a discount on a plan called the Daytime Assist Plan. Participants are encouraged to charge their LEAFs during the day using electricity from their solar panels, or at night when demand for grid power is lower.”

Ecosystem Japan is a solar panel installer in Japan.

Now, the “free installation of solar panels” is not as simple as that. The footnote says that New Leaf owners need to sign up for a 20-year power purchase agreement and after the contract is ended, the ownership of the system is transferred to the Leaf owner for free.)

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Does it make monetary sense to own an electric car? Over time, Yes.

Does a lower "total cost of ownership" boost electric car sales?

In 2015, battery-electric vehicles in Japan, the UK, California, and Texas were slightly cheaper than traditional gas or diesel vehicles-as long as you're comparing all these vehicles using their total cost of ownership (TCO).

 From article, (In 2015, battery-electric vehicles in Japan, the UK, California, and Texas were slightly cheaper than traditional gas or diesel vehicles—as long as you're comparing all these vehicles using their total cost of ownership (TCO).

The good news is that, in all four of the studied regions, the TCO for low-emission vehicles fell between the year the car was introduced and 2015. Although the researchers cited regenerative braking, stop-start engines, and “a novel transmission system” as factors that increase the manufacturing costs for low-emission vehicles, operating costs, lower fuel costs, and savings on taxes and maintenance all help offset these. Generally, the most expensive difference between an electric or hybrid vehicle and an ICE vehicle is the cost of the battery, but that cost has been rapidly falling. Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimated that in 2016 (PDF), electric vehicle batteries cost just $273/kWh compared to $1,000/kWh in 2010.

The study also says that government subsidies shouldn't last forever. Generally, economists have agreed that once electric vehicle batteries hit $100/kWh, they'll be cost competitive with ICEs. "It is paramount that there is a gradual phase-out of incentives once technology has reached cost parity, especially when oil prices are low," the researchers conclude.)

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Basically, Flying cars will resemble UAV's because of their stability in rough weather, and their ability to take off and land like a helicopter. Here is an example.

No pilot licence needed to fly this car

A Chinese start-up from Guangzhou is developing one of the world's first flying cars. The vehicle can fly for 20 to 30 minutes at a height of 300m to 500m, and can carry one passenger weighing not more than 100kg. It has eight propellers and four arms and is equipped with fully automated navigation.

 Me, "Basically, it is a giant UAV carrying a person."

From article, (The vehicle can fly for 20 to 30 minutes at a height of 300m to 500m, and can carry one passenger weighing not more than 100kg.

It has four battery-powered propellers and is equipped with fully automated navigation.

The passenger does not need to pilot the vehicle as it is connected to a ground control centre that tracks and manages the flight route.

Known as Ehang 184, it is the star product of EHang, a Chinese drone start-up founded in 2014.

"It is the same as what we do in civil aviation today. The only difference is that civil planes fly at a height of 30,000m, whereas we fly at a height of 300m to 500m," EHang co-founder Derrick Xiong told reporters visiting the company's headquarters recently.

Given its short flight time, the vehicle can only provide transport for short to medium distances, such as transporting organs for surgery.

So far, it has tested a flight carrying people, including Mr Xiong and Guangzhou city's vice-mayor Wang Dong.

FLYING START

We hope to lower the bar for people to learn how to fly, whether it's a big plane or a small plane. Through the use of artificial intelligence, we will let billions of people have a go at experiencing the joy of flying.

MR DERRICK XIONG, co-founder of EHang, which developed the world's first flying car.

"We hope to lower the bar for people to learn how to fly, whether it's a big plane or a small plane. Through the use of artificial intelligence, we will let billions of people have a go at experiencing the joy of flying," said Mr Xiong, 28, who is also EHang's chief marketing officer.

He also revealed that the company is in discussion with Singapore, New Zealand and Dubai to use the flying car to ferry people between islands.

After two years of constant trials and prototyping, the company is now "very close" to commercialising the vehicle, he said.

EHang has been working closely with the Chinese aviation authority and Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to test the aerial vehicle.

To date, it has clocked more than 1,000 test flights, both in Guangzhou and Dubai. Next year, it will start test flights in the state of Nevada in the United States.)

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Solid State EV Batteries are in demand because of their increased storage potential, twice as much as current batteries, and their quick charging time? Minutes.

Makers compete over all solid-state EV batteries- News - NHK WORLD - English

Competition is intensifying over the development of a new type of battery. It would enable electric vehicles to cover more than twice the distance that they currently can, using conventional batteries.

 From article, (Competition is intensifying over the development of a new type of battery. It would enable electric vehicles to cover more than twice the distance that they currently can, using conventional batteries.

All solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes. They have a greater capacity to produce electricity, compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes.

Researchers say the new type of battery can, in addition, shorten the time required for a full charge from hours to minutes.

Toyota Motor and Panasonic are jointly working to put the all solid-state battery into practical use by the early 2020's.

Nissan Motor and Honda Motor are also developing the new battery.

Non-automotive companies, such as Hitachi and Asahi Kasei, as well as battery manufacturer GS Yuasa, have initiated research in the field.)

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In Wyoming, Wind Energy is about to take off, thanks to a Transmission Line.

Under Trump's Nose, Wyoming Wind Energy Set To Explode

Clean Power Suddenly everybody is talking about Wyoming wind energy, and for good reason. The state is one of the epicenters of coal production in the US, but it is also blessed with rich wind resources. Wind farms have plenty of room to blossom in Wyoming.

 From article, (Wyoming currently ranks 15th in wind energy production in the US, but it could vault up a few notches once the sprawling Chokecherry and Sierra Madre wind farms come online.

The two wind farms first crossed the CleanTechnica radar in 2015. With up to 500 wind turbines each, the plan is for a capacity of up to 3,000 megawatts combined. The land is located on parts of a massive cattle ranch operated by the Overland Trail Cattle Company in Carbon County.

The project actually dates back to a 2008 proposal, which was greenlighted by the US Department of the Interior in 2012.

Except for a winter hiatus, work is currently under way and the turbines could be up within a year or so.

Construction of a new transmission line for the two wind farms is expected to get under way in 2019.

The planned transmission line, the TransWest Express, has been in the works since 2005. The idea is to thread a high-voltage, direct current line from Wyoming to Nevada and Arizona as well as California.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s notorious “grid study” and followup proposals for protecting coal grabbed a lot of headlines in 2017, but a far more intensive grid initiative is also under way at the Energy Department. That would be GMI, the Grid Modernization Initiative, which is exploring pathways for a seamless national grid (not for nothing but Perry’s grid study did include a hefty dose of good news about renewables in general and wind energy in particular).

Under President* Donald J. Trump, the Energy Department has also been pouring millions into grid resiliency projects focusing on renewable energy.

As for why Wyoming ranchers and other property owners would be willing to make room for wind turbines, last week the Wyoming News highlighted the local economic advantages of wind energy.

Writer Kristine Galloway notes that the turbine-related income paid for new equipment, purchase of the neighboring ranch, a new irrigation system that resulted in a savings of 20% for water and 60% for power, and additional water resource upgrades that are attracting more wildlife to the area.)

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There are how many planets in the Milky Way? 100-400 billion. And in the universe? HA! It's Off the Charts.

Billions Of Exoplanets? Count On It, Say Space Scientists

Already, astronomers have discovered thousands. As of New Year's Day 2018, NASA has confirmed the existence of 3,572 exoplanets, with 5,078 more awaiting final verification. But scientists say they've barely begun. And the number of exoworlds they estimate is astounding.

 Me, "And this doesn't count possible habitable Moons like a Europa around the huger planets. If we don't find life out in our solar system, life has got to be out there, on exoplanets. There are just too many, for life not to have taken hold."

From article, (Virtually all astronomers now say the vast majority of stars, maybe almost all, have at least a few planets around them.

To calculate a more specific estimate on the number of exoplanets in the galaxy, researchers start with the number of stars.

Problem is, no one’s certain about that either. But at least 100 billion stars are in the Milky Way, scientists say—maybe up to 400 billion.

Says Guillem Anglada-Escude, an astrophysicist at Queen Mary, University of London, and part of the team that discovered Proxima b, Earth’s closest exoplanet: “100 billion is a reasonable number.”

So take 100 billion stars, assume three planets per star, and multiply: that's 300 billion planets in the galaxy.

Presume more stars—200 billion? 300 billion?—and “you’re looking at close to a trillion planets,” says David Kipping, astronomy professor at Columbia University and the head of its Cool Worlds laboratory.

how many of those planets might orbit within the habitable zone.

That’s the place in a star system where a world's surface temperature is moderate, where liquid water might flow, where life has a chance.

Scientists generally agree a significant fraction of exoplanets reside in the zone, perhaps anywhere from five to fifteen percent.

“That's tens of billions of planets in the galaxy with some potential for life,” says Margot.

"As humans, we can’t even conceive what billions and billions are,” says Sara Seager, astrophysicist and planetary scientist at MIT.

“But they’re all huge numbers, right? We can agree on that.”

And that’s just the neighborhood, says Margot. Beyond the Milky Way loom “two trillion galaxies in the observable universe," each with incalculable billions of stars.

And that's how many planets?

For this one, Margot doesn't suggest a number.

“It's comparable,” he says, “to the number of grains of dry sand on all the beaches on Earth.” Imagine counting that.)

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Pay it Forward: $2 billion mission to Jupiter's Europa will pay for itself with potential knowledge gained.

NASA Readies 'Europa Clipper' Mission To Jupiter's Frozen Moon

NASA is still on track to use its new Space Launch System (SLS) to launch its $2 billion-plus 'Europa Clipper'* mission to Jupiter's fabled, frozen moon. That might even happen as early as Spring of 2022 and would involve a direct two and a half year transfer to our solar system's largest planet.

 From article, (NASA is still on track to use its new Space Launch System (SLS) to launch its $2 billion-plus ‘Clipper’ mission to Jupiter’s moon of Europa. That might even happen as early as Spring of 2022 and would involve a direct two and a half year transfer to Jupiter. The goal once there would be to do 46 reconnaissance flybys of Europa over a three and a half year period. From a long orbit around Jupiter, Clipper should perform its Europa flybys at altitudes varying from 2700 to 25 kilometers above the moon's frozen surface.

The aim is to search this frozen world for signs of a subsurface liquid ocean and for habitability. Many astrobiologists still think that Europa offers the best chance of finding life elsewhere in our solar system.

And if NASA launches a follow-on Europa lander mission, astrobiologists may find biological treasure in one of its Europa samples long before a Mars sample-return mission could be attempted.

“To say Europa is or was habitable, we’d want to confirm there is an ocean; see evidence of chemistry in the ocean that can be a source of energy for life beneath the ice,” said Craft. “And see evidence of ice-ocean exchange processes that could enable chemical mixing.”

It’s thought to have a 100-kilometer-deep salty ocean, with an iron core surrounded by a rocky mantle. However, also as noted here previously, for life to evolve on Europa, it would need liquid water; a handful of essential elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur; and some sort of energy to harness.)

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There is a Plastic shortage In Japan. Companies need to decide what is more important? Plastic Bags or Electric Cars.

Plastic bags squeezed by electric car demand - Nikkei Asian Review

TOKYO -- Shoppers in Japan may find themselves paying a few more yen at checkout for plastic bags in the weeks and months ahead, and electric cars may be to blame. As petrochemical companies shift production toward higher-end plastics used in electric car batteries and auto body panels, prices for general-purpose polypropylene and polyethylene are at their highest in three years.

 Me, "This may be a trend in other Electric car adapting countries, where oil that would have gone into fueling cars is now used to create electric cars."

From article, (Shoppers in Japan may find themselves paying a few more yen at checkout for plastic bags in the weeks and months ahead, and electric cars may be to blame.

As petrochemical companies shift production toward higher-end plastics used in electric car batteries and auto body panels, prices for general-purpose polypropylene and polyethylene are at their highest in three years.

Polypropylene and polyethylene are general-purpose resins used to make plastic bags, films for food packaging and industrial pallets, to name a few. Higher costs for these materials are a blow to makers of these products.

petrochemical companies are increasing their output of synthetic resins for more specialized applications, such as lithium-ion batteries and car exteriors, as they take advantage of growing worldwide demand for electric vehicles. At Mitsui Chemicals, the parent company of Prim Polymer, high value-added products account for some 80% of synthetic resin production. Tsutomu Tannowa, Mitsui Chemicals' president, said the company will raise that share still higher.)

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How to Grow Grapes in a Time of Global Warming.

A sparkling idea: Champagne makers plan to tackle global warming with hybrid grapes

Winemakers in France are planning to introduce a new hybrid grape to offset the effect global warming is having on the production of champagne. Over the past 20 years, vineyards have moved harvest dates ahead by two weeks amid fears that rising temperatures will harm the luxury bubbly, which relies on cold temperatures during production.

 From article, (Winemakers in France are planning to introduce a new hybrid grape to offset the effect global warming is having on the production of champagne.

Over the past 20 years, vineyards have moved harvest dates ahead by two weeks amid fears that rising temperatures will harm the luxury bubbly, which relies on cold temperatures during production.

In a bid to futureproof the industry, winemakers are researching how to create a new grape that can resist higher temperatures and mature more slowly.

It is hoped the hybrid of chardonnay, pinot noir, meunier and other grapes will also cut the risk of mildew and fungus.

"But basically climate change doesn't affect the style of champagne at the moment because we still can adapt, both by ploughing the ground, changing harvest dates."

Thomas Jorez, who works for champagne house Philipponnat, says new methods will need to adapt to keep the sparkling wine's distinct taste.

Hotter temperatures mean more sugar and less acidity in the grapes.)

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