Share this page!

David Burbach Profile picture
Twitter logo
12 Feb, 4 tweets, 2 min read
25 years ago I attended @exploreplanets 's Planetfest '96 in Pasadena for the landing of Mars Pathfinder and had a blast. Attending hasn't been an option other years but since it's an all-virtual world now, this will be a cool Saturday afternoon.
In 1996 there was no "live streaming" of the landing (I think) and certainly no smartphones, and I have NASA TV in my summer apartment. Watching live feeds from nearby JPL in a hall full of space enthusiasts was awesome. 2/
I wish I could find a program. I think (busy!) Matt Golombeck came over from JPL to speak, and I think @TheRealBuzz Aldrin spoke. I know I had books signed by Kim Stanley Robinson and Larry Niven. Great weekend. 3/3
argh, "did NOT have NASA TV". I didn't have cable at all, but living literally across Ocean Ave from the beach in Santa Monica who cared (thanks, rent control!) Image

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with David Burbach

David Burbach Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @dburbach

David Burbach Profile picture
13 Feb
Good article illustrating downside of giving the military (including @SpaceForceDoD) broad roles in space, especially Moon and other bodies -- very quickly runs into Outer Space Treaty problems, and pushes away potential international partners

breakingdefense.com/2021/02/darpa-…
I buy that DARPA's intent is to promote general-purpose tech for the use of lunar resources, with the intent of it being available to civil/commercial use too. And only indirectly military, like possibly producing fuel to send to a recon satellite in high orbit 2/
But, the ambiguity of the OST and the sensitivity of the "militarizing space", let alone "militarizing the Moon" debate mean this research grant program faces far more controversy than it deserves, or would have as a NASA, NSF, or Commerce Dept program 3/
Read 5 tweets
David Burbach Profile picture
11 Feb
I'm with Bill Nye and @GarretsonPeter in wanting more attention to impact threats... but there is zero reason to move it to Space Force vs the current NASA lead (per the 2016 national strategy)

nasa.gov/sites/default/…
What we need now is research: more searches and more effective search methods for objects, and research into the asteroid characteristics (including response to deflection attempts). 2/
Those missions dovetail perfectly with what the astronomy and planetary science mission community do, and which NASA already conducts and supports. Internationally, too, it's universally a subject where civilian science agencies are in the lead, not militaries 3/
Read 8 tweets
David Burbach Profile picture
19 Jan
I hate to give this credit to even discuss, but "we can be self reliant" is a bold claim for a landlocked nation. US imposes a total embargo to punish secession and Wyoming is reduced to subsistence barley and beef farming.
Obviously we'd cut the fiber optic lines and air travel too, so they'd better hope Elon's sub-orbital Starship works.
Would be inconvenient for Union Pacific, thoug a big boost for truck stops on I-70 and I-94
Read 4 tweets
David Burbach Profile picture
3 Oct 20
In light of everything we know, @JohnCornyn is today spreading anti-mask quackery from a group (AAPS) whose "science" qualifications including claiming that Obama literally hypnotized people, noting how the campaign O logo "resembles a crystal ball"
Link to the AAPS statement about Obama's supposed hypnotism-through-campaign-speech from 2008

aapsonline.org/oratory-or-hyp…
AAPS is closely tied to other Mercer-funded fringe groups that deny climate change, argue against pollution regulation , and most bizarrely, argue that radiation is GOOD for you

Read 4 tweets
David Burbach Profile picture
3 Oct 20
Me: I'll put on ratty sweats and my reading glasses and finally get on that basement painting project

World: Every notable local Dem candidate plus Sen. Jack Reed, with a crowd of local media, will ring my doorbell without warning
My ability to cognitively transition turns out to be much weaker than I would have hoped. "Tonight at 11: Local professor says incoherent stuff while squinting, needs shave"
Hope it's not a Hatch Act violation to identify myself as a DoD employee to a federal politician while telling said politician I'm intending to vote for him
Read 4 tweets
David Burbach Profile picture
1 Oct 20
Nearby solar projects might reduce values of nearby exurban homes by ~ 1%.

My public policy response: Tough. Build 'em anyway

providencejournal.com/news/20200930/…
My house would probably lose 1% of its value if my neighbors chose to paint their house flaming pink or replace thier lawn with gravel. I don't get special legal protection from that, and there's not even any public benefit from those changes. 2/
If you buy a house as an investment and are unprepared for "stuff happens", you ought to be putting your money somewhere else 3/
Read 5 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Like this author's thread?

Get emails when @dburbach has new unrolls!

Check out other threads from @dburbach!

Read all threads by @dburbach