Posted by Jesse Clark in Education, Science on March 29, 2011
The San Diego Space Society would like to congratulate the following individuals for their entries in this year’s Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Everyone worked hard to create an outstanding project.
Coil Gun Project by Daniel Benham
High Voltage DC to DC Conversion for Power Distribution by Weston Braun
Stability Analysis of Control Algorithms by Keegan Mann
Wingtip Drag Reduction: Spiroid vs. Up-turned Winglets by Michael Patacsil
[no photo]
GO SOLAR by Dominic Pletcher
A special awards ceremony will be held during Space Day at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, currently scheduled for 12:30pm.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Calendar, Chapter Updates, Events, movie on March 19, 2011
Sun, Mar 27, 2011
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102
Continuing with our “science” theme for March, for this month’s SD Space Movie Night feature we’ll be watching “Monsters from the Id: Science is Mankind’s Last Great Hope” on the BIG screen.
The 1950′s was an idealistic time in American History, filled with hope, opportunity, and wonder. It was also, “The Atomic Age” where new technology promised to both save humanity as well as put it in jeopardy. All of these factors gave birth to one of the most prolific genres in film history, 1950′s Science Fiction Cinema.
Through the use of the movies themselves and expert analysis from scientists and educators, Monsters From The Id weaves the intersecting themes of over thirty classic films in order to tell the untold story of the Modern Scientist and his role in inspiring a nation. The film continues to explore the psychological and cultural impact of 1950′s Sci-Fi cinema and asks, “where is science inspiration found today?
More movie info here – 2008 Not Rated-53 minutes
Afterwards, an encore of Forbidden Planet is possible if attendees desire.
Popcorn provided. You’re welcome to bring any other snacks and [non-alcoholic] drinks to share.
Members and the public are welcome to attend. Email events@sdspace.org to RSVP.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Calendar, Education, Projects, Science on March 18, 2011
Sat, Mar 19, 2011
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102
Interested in building something? Get together with other SD Space members to work on space-related projects.
This month’s Saturday build session we’ll continue with our Sky Satellite project by designing and building PongSats.
Previously we built a balloon launched camera which we flew at a nearby park to a height of 250 feet. Next well start to design and build a micro sky satellite called a PongSat. What is a PongSat? It’s an ping pong ball sized experiment flown to the edge of space by balloons and/or launched in rockets. The launch and recovery opportunity is provided by JP Aerospace.
There are endless possibilities for experiments that can fit inside a ping pong ball. PongSat’s can be as simple or complex as you want them to be. Experiments can be as simple as comparing how high a ball bounces before and after being exposed to vacuum. The PongSat can carry seeds to see if exposure to cosmic rays effect their growth. Several small inexpensive computers and other electronic can fit inside a PongSat. These can be used to create a wide range of experiments. Whether carrying a marshmallow to see if it puffs up in the vacuum of near space or an entire sophisticated satellite in miniature, PongSat can create motivation, drive and passion. – JP Aerospace
Members and the public are welcome to join the project team. RSVP to events@sdspace.org to participate.
Note: We recommend that parents participate with their children; children under 10 must have a parent present for the entire workshop.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Calendar, Emporium, Events on March 16, 2011
Sat, Apr 2, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102
Interested in becoming an Emporium volunteer? The first step is to attend volunteer training. You’ll learn about the current procedures, be able to suggest improvements and hear about upcoming Emporium plans and promotions.
If you’d like to be an Emporium volunteer, please send an email to events@sdspace.org.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Emporium on March 15, 2011
Due out this summer, a new magazine for those interested in Space Tourism and Commercial Spaceflight is about to become reality. That’s right, NewSpace Magazine will begin full publication in June, 2011.
A sampling of articles in the premier issue include a discussion of what is Space Tourism all about, how will we get to sub-orbit and orbit, and where will we go when we get there.
We are very excited to see this magazine come to be. We hope you will be too.
Be sure to pick up your copy at the Space Travelers Emporium in June.
