July 10, 2003

Space.com has an article on the Israeli entry in the $10 million X Prize competition for a private reusable spacecraft. The key characteristic of the IL Aerospace Technologies (ILAT) Negev 5 is using a large super-pressure helium balloon as a first stage for flight. The balloon carries a hybrid motor-propelled rocket and the crew capsule to the upper reaches of the atmosphere where the rocket is ignited. 11:56:05 PM

Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of tapes is a common computer aphorism. Today, this extends to sending hard disks by UPS. (via Slashdot) 11:30:34 PM