Mod Mob

China outlines space station plan

2009-03-02T17:37:00.000-08:00

China's future space station will comprise a core module, two experimental modules, a manned spaceship and a cargo spaceship, a top scientist said Monday.

Qi Faren, chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft, told China Daily that the core module will weigh about 20 tons and incorporate a connecting part that has multiple berthing mechanisms so that it can link with modules such as a lifeboat or cargo spaceship.

Now in the second stage of its manned space program, China needs to master four technologies to launch the space station in the third and final stages, he said.

Astronauts carried out extravehicular activity during the Shenzhou VII mission last year and scientists are now working on the challenge of space docking, Qi said.

"The Tiangong I, or Heavenly Palace I, which is scheduled for launch before 2011, is the platform to test the space docking technology," he said.

"In its one- to two-year lifespan, Tiangong I, which weighs 8.5 tons, will be the object that Shenzhou VIII, Shenzhou IX and Shenzhou X will dock with in order to test the technology," he said.

According to the plan, Shenzhou VIII is an unmanned spaceship that will try to dock Tiangong I in 2011, if preparations go smoothly, he said.

If that mission is a success, manned spaceships will be launched to dock with the Tiangong I, he said.

"Then we will improve Tiangong I and develop the space laboratory," he said.

The space laboratory will operate unattended in the long term but will be taken care of by astronauts in the short term, so China also has to solve the supply problem, Qi said.

"We will launch a cargo spaceship that will send several tons of supplies, including water, food, air and other items to the space laboratory," he said.

At the moment, the Shenzhou spaceships can carry only 300 kg of supplies when three astronauts are aboard, he said.

Scientists will also have to conquer the problem of recycling air and water in the space laboratory, he said.

When all these problems have been solved, China will be ready to launch its space station atop a CZ-5 rocket from the new launch center in Hainan province, he said.

The Xinhua News Agency reported last week that a prototype of Tiangong I is almost ready.

Microsoft's Kumo

2009-03-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

As I noted earlier on Monday, Microsoft plans to start internal testing later this week of Kumo, the rebranded version of Live Search. Now I have a screenshot to share.

Also, here's the text of an e-mail that search executive Satya Nadella just sent to his staff. Keep in mind, even though he talks about checking out the site, his e-mail is to Microsoft staff with access to it. Us outsiders will have to chew on the screenshot (see below). From this screenshot (and two others I have seen), it appears the biggest change in Kumo is the way that it shows in the first results the query narrowed by a couple of different things the searcher might be looking for.

From: Satya Nadella
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 4:18 PM
To: Microsoft - All Employees (QBDG)
Subject: Announcement: Internal Search Test Experience
The Search team needs you. We've been working hard to improve our search service and want to share the progress we are making with you. We are launching a new test program called kumo.com for employees to try and provide feedback. Kumo.com exists only inside the corporate network, and in order to get enough feedback we will be redirecting internal live.com traffic over to the test site in the coming days. Kumo is the codename we have chosen for the internal test.
In spite of the progress made by search engines, 40 percent of queries go unanswered; half of queries are about searchers returning to previous tasks; and 46 percent of search sessions are longer than 20 minutes. These and many other learnings suggest that customers often don't find what they need from search today.
We believe we can provide a better and more useful search experience that helps you not just search but accomplish tasks. During the test, features will vary by country, but you'll see results organized in a way that saves you more time. An explorer pane on the left side of results pages will give you access to tools that help you with your tasks. Other features like single session history and hover preview help accomplish more in search sessions.
Your Next Search...
To get started, visit kumo.com or click one of the samples below to see how it's possible to find the right results more easily:
As employees, you are some of our most informed users and our toughest critics, and we highly value your input and feedback to help us build a better service. You have been an important voice in our efforts, and the feedback you've sent us since the company meeting has been amazing.
When you visit kumo.com, at the bottom right corner of the each page you'll see a feedback badge. We ask that each time you use the test site, click the feedback badge and take a moment to answer four quick and simple questions. Feel free to reach out to give us extra feedback directly on our blog and by mailing (an internal alias). For answers to common questions make sure to see our FAQ.
We are committed to rapid innovation and improvement. Please give the test site a try, rate the results and let us know what you think.
- Satya

(Credit: CNET)

Top 10 Blogger themes / Templates

2009-03-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve compiled here, one of the best blogger templates / themes. These cool designs can give yourBlogspot Blog a great uplift. I hope you enjoy