Aviation/Space

Obama promises he won’t ‘scramble jets’ to get Snowden

"US President Barack Obama said Thursday he would not 'scramble jets' to intercept any flights carrying fugitive leaker Edward Snowden and scoffed at spending political capital to win him back from Russia. His comments came as Snowden remained in Russia, where he fled from Hong Kong, stuck in the transit zone of a Moscow airport, apparently unable to travel on to possible asylum in Ecuador after Washington cancelled his passport. Obama, who has been embarrassed by the refusal of first China and then Russia to expel Snowden, insisted the real damage to the United States lay not in international humiliation, but in the exposure of key spying programs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama promises he won’t ‘scramble jets’ to get Snowden

With New Initiative ‘Galactic,’ PayPal Wants To Own Payments And Commerce In Space

"In a slightly bizarre announcement today, PayPal is debuting PayPal Galactic, an initiative to own universal payments and commerce in space. Yes, outer space. PayPal is looking to address and solve the problems of what the standard currency looks like in a cash-free interplanetary society, and how banking, risk and fraud management systems will adapt to this. The company says that there is already the need for a galactic payment system. Astronauts inhabiting space stations still need to pay for life’s necessities—from their bills back on Earth to their entertainment, like music and e-books, while in space." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWith New Initiative ‘Galactic,’ PayPal Wants To Own Payments And Commerce In Space

Lawyers to challenge U.S. ‘No Fly’ list in federal court in Oregon

"Lawyers for a group of Muslim Americans barred from U.S. air travel will challenge procedures surrounding the secretive 'no fly' list in court on Friday, arguing they are unconstitutional because those on the list have no real way to clear their names. The 13 plaintiffs in the case, who deny any links to terrorism, said they learned of their no-fly status when they were blocked from boarding commercial flights and complain they were denied any effective means of petitioning the government to be removed from the list. As of last year, the list included some 20,000 people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLawyers to challenge U.S. ‘No Fly’ list in federal court in Oregon

Google reveals top-secret plan to beam Internet to developing world from balloons at the edge of space

"Google revealed top-secret plans Saturday to send balloons to the edge of space with the lofty aim of bringing Internet to the two-thirds of the global population currently without web access. Scientists from the technology giant released up to 30 helium-filled test balloons flying 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) above Christchurch in New Zealand Saturday, carrying antennae linked to ground base stations. While still in the early stages, Project Loon hopes eventually to launch thousands of balloons to provide Internet to remote parts of the world, allowing the more than four billion people with no access to get online. It could also be used to help after natural disasters." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle reveals top-secret plan to beam Internet to developing world from balloons at the edge of space

Southwest flight diverted to Phoenix due to bomb threat

"A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Texas from Los Angeles with 143 passengers aboard was forced to land in Phoenix on Monday after a telephoned bomb threat and U.S. fighter jets were diverted to monitor the situation, authorities said. All passengers on board were taken off without incident, the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Southwest said. Phoenix police interviewed the passengers and bomb squad officers and dogs swept the aircraft. Police spokesman Sergeant Steve Martos later Tweeted that the search found 'nothing of concern.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSouthwest flight diverted to Phoenix due to bomb threat

German drone nearly hits 100-passenger Airbus jet – leaked video

"The classified drone camera footage drew public attention after the German defense ministry scrapped a drone program for its lack of anti-collision technology. After the encounter, the drone was caught in the plane’s wake turbulence, lost control, and crashed over the Afghan capital Kabul, Der Spiegel reported. The video was leaked a week after German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière decided to scrap the $652 million EuroHawk program – meant to be a replacement for existing reconnaissance aircraft – including the Luna drones." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerman drone nearly hits 100-passenger Airbus jet – leaked video

Annals of the Security State: More Airplane Stories

"Over the weekend I related the story of Gabriel Silverstein, a businessman and pilot who for no apparent reason was subjected to a two-hour detention and invasive search by Homeland Security officials as he traveled across the country in his small plane. The picture above is not from that episode; it's an official DHS photo of its emergency-response agents being trained. Below and after the jump are two additional stories of the same sort. The first is a long account from Larry Gaines, a small-plane pilot from California who had a similar episode last year. The story is long and detailed, and will be riveting for those in the aviation world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnnals of the Security State: More Airplane Stories

NASA taps 3-D printer firm for ‘Star Trek’-style food replicator

"U.S. space agency NASA has tapped 3-D printer firm Systems & Materials Research Corporation (SMRC) to create the first-ever 'Star Trek'-style food replicator using 3-D printing technology. According to Quartz, NASA gave the company a six month, $125,000 grant contract to focus on developing 3-D printers that use cartridges full of carbohydrates, protein powders and oils that can be combined in layers to produce food. Grocery stores could be gradually transformed to ultra-cheap cartridge retailers while non-nutrient edible products are phased out by market forces." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNASA taps 3-D printer firm for ‘Star Trek’-style food replicator

In-Flight Thieves Targeting Airline Travelers’ Carry-On Bags

"Travel experts such as Hobica say theft on planes is a growing problem, with bags getting swiped, valuables stolen and pockets picked. Jewelry, money and medications are often the sought-after prizes. One of the reasons in-flight thefts are rising is because more travelers are trying to avoid checking their bags these days. 'People don’t want to pay the check-bag fee,' Hobica said, adding, 'They also know there can be a lot of theft from baggage handlers.' More passengers carrying on luggage means overhead bins are packed. Travelers often cannot use an overhead bin near their seats, putting their valuables out of sight." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn-Flight Thieves Targeting Airline Travelers’ Carry-On Bags