NASA Grant Brings Us $1.1 Billion Closer to Commercial Manned Spaceflight

Friday August 3rd marked a significant milestone for three companies vying for commercial rights to manned space flight. After a year-long review of the current status of commercial manned spaceflight technology readiness, NASA awarded three grants totaling $1.1 billion to Boeing, Space X and Sierra Nevada Corp., to be paid over the next 21 months. These three companies are vigorously working to provide safe and cost-effective vehicles that can transport NASA astronauts and supplies to and from the International Space Station within the next five years. The awards are part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) under the space agency’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP).

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Wicked Audio Solus Headphones Review

I’ve mentioned before that I am a headphone junkie. If I can plug it into my iPod and put it in or over my ears, its for me. So, when I was given the chance to try out Wicked Audio’s new Solus headphones, I jumped up and down screaming “Yes!”. And since Solus is latin for “be yourself,” they fit me perfectly in more than one way.

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Google Is Now America’s Most Awesome ISP

After a summer of waiting, Google finally emerged with details on their new Kansas City Fiber network. The price for Google Internet starts at free. That’s right, for the $300 installation fee, Google will give you free Internet at “today’s speeds” for at least 7 years. If you’re used to thinking of these speeds as fast, take a gander at this comparison and then imagine seven years of technology innovation.

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Ergo, Ouch: The Pain of Technology Designed Without People in Mind

After years of typing, it came out of nowhere: an aching, stabbing, tingling pain in my arms and hands. My primary complaint was a throbbing ache followed by pinpricks of fiery pain on my fingers, like someone putting out cigarettes on my skin. I couldn’t work with my hands in any capacity, and I couldn’t sleep. Nothing seemed to work to alleviate the pain. Not ibuprofen, not acetaminophen, not painkillers. I had carpal tunnel.

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Google Doodle Celebrates Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart would have been 115 today had she lived through her ill-fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937. Earhart was the epitome of female inspiration in the face of seemingly impossible odds. While her disappearance remains a mystery, her iconic status still inspires women everywhere to break gender boundaries in pursuit of their dreams. Google has chosen to celebrate Earhart’s birthday with a Doodle befitting this impressive woman.

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Mophie Juice Pack Pro Review

Between constantly checking my e-mail, sending out information via twitter, helping out with the Florida Garrison’s Facebook page and my son’s love of Angry Birds, my iPhone battery doesn’t last a full day. I loved the reviews on the Mophie Juice Pack Plus for the iPhone and I really wanted to try it out. My only issue with the case was the lack of protection the case gave the screen. As soon as I learned they had a rugged version in the making, I jumped at the chance to check it out.

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SMS Audio by 50 Cent: Earbuds and Earphones

Music can transport us to a different place and time and has the power to evoke the most tangible of memories from some of the biggest moments in our lives. It can take us away from where we really are to the places we long to be instead. Emanating from a speaker, the feeling can be wonderful, but heard on a quality set of headphones or earbuds, the experience can be truly magical. The SMS Audio line of earbuds and earphones by Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) aims to create such a feeling, but does it succeed?

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The GeekMoms Podcast #26: Chevy’s Mom Engineers Talk Cars and Encouraging Kids’ Dreams

General Motors recognizes the importance of having women involved in the development of its cars and had a whole team of mom engineers working on the new Chevy Malibu. GeekMom Nicole Wakelin talks with two members of that team and discusses what it’s like being a woman in a predominantly male field as well as how to encourage kids to pursue their dreams in spite of stereotypes that might tell them otherwise.

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