My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 1, 2006

Just like employees in any struggling industry, NASA employees are pinning their hopes and jobs on a successful launch and mission. Discovery is scheduled to launch at 3:49 p.m. Saturday from the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida and could be NASA’s last chance to get it right. NASA’s administrator Michael Griffin gave a prelaunch news conference stating, “I worry that we spend so much time worrying about foam that we won’t worry about other things that could get us. We try to address them all.”

Over the past 3 years the shuttle fleet has been grounded twice for fuel tank redesigns and has had only one test flight last year with the shuttle Columbia. Discovery’s mission is a bit more ambitious although the primary goal is to safely launch and return of the shuttle and the astronauts. There are scenarios for reentry options: One, the astronauts could dock and/or repair at the space station. Two, Discovery could be ditched in the ocean on reentry and three it could be land leaving the astronauts behind on the space station.

The other question is the launch weather; as of this writing there is only a 40% chance of launch because of thunderstorms which mean the launch would be postponed until Sunday.

As a boy growing up, I watched the space program begin and saw our country proudly put a man on the moon (Neil Armstrong). I would like to see NASA continued to explore and succeed confidently again putting men and women in to space. Although I’m proud to see the international communities unite on the space station and private venture put a man into space, nothing compares to America’s national space program. Let’s hope the improvements in tank foam and repair tricks will work flawlessly. Discovery and her astronauts need to have a safe and successful mission to continue NASA’s future.

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Posted By RichC on June 30, 2006

Although the Smart car has been around in Europe since 1998, Americans have been reluctant to accept it here in the US. (government, consumers and importers alike) When you look at it next to most car and trucks on American roads you understand why … its tiny! Most I have asked about it say its “cute” but “I wouldn’t want to be in a crash with an SUV.” I echo their sentiment.

The general manager of a new Mercedes dealership in West Chester Ohio secretly pointed out the showroom design that was built to showcase both the Mercedes Benz models and the Smart Car. I’ll let you guess which division was given the most space but as of last month he didn’t know if or when they would get their first Smart.

Yesterday DaimlerChrysler AG announced that it would begin importing the Smart Car to the US the first quarter of 2008. Obviously gas price focused city commuters will be a targeted customer. The micro-sized Smart is barely 9 feet long, has two seats and is reported to be able to get 40 miles per gallon in the city. Yes … that’s what several of the articles are saying … 40 mpg city. For those of you thinking “oh that’s pretty good” — that’s not my point at all. Let’s consider that most hybrids that are much larger, some 4 place non-hybrids and the majority of Volkswagen TDI Golfs, New Beetles and Jettas are getting over 40mpg. My 2003 Jetta TDI running 100% biodiesel has a lifetime average of 44-45 mpg mixed driving, and that’s with a bit of a boost from oversized injectors and an aggressive stage 3 chip.

The Smart Fortwo (model) is expected to list for a tad less than $15,000 which is about the same as a handful of other small cars. (a relative term considering that the Mini-Cooper is 3.5 foot longer than the Smart) According to DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche, the cars will be distributed by United Auto Group which is owned by Roger Penske. They have nearly 300 dealers in 19 states as well as a presence in Europe, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Currently they sell about 40 brands of vehicles. I’m not sure how this plays into my local Mercedes Benz dealership?

Under the hood of the Smart Fortwo, is a 3-cylinder engine capable of 40 mpg in the city and 60 mpg on the highway. It has small 10-gallon tank for gasoline which gives it a range of 400 miles. (although sitting for a 400 mile trip in a Smart Car might be the bigger challenge?) The US will be getting the next-generation Fortwo which will get a new engine by Mitsubishi which is expected to be a 3 -cylinder, but rumor has it that it could be a 4-cylinder. The Fortwo will come in three models, one is the coupe, one a convertible and an unnamed version. For those having the same thoughts I do, it will be loaded with safety hardware, including air bags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, but its hard to imagine feeling safe being rammed by a Hummer?

Fuel economy is probably not the reason most people will purchase the Smart, as just like the VW Beetle or the Mini Cooper, its the “cool factor.” It is something different and will be the only pocket car on the road. According to Penske, they will initially sell the Smart in about 30 to 50 dealership around large cities or vacation destinations.

As a business unit, Smart has lost $3.6 billion, according to analysts. Criticism from within the automotive industry suggest that even though the Smart cars have sold well, 750,000 vehicles in the last 8 years, they offer too many models and continue to expand the line with new models before each becomes profitable; the future of the Smart car may continue this trend. Dieter Zetsche commented that the Smart may offer a hybrid version as well as a diesel for the U.S. too. That would be interesting, but is it a wise business move considering the criticisms above? Although, diesel Smart is already available in Canada, it doesn’t meet new strict U.S. emissions mandates for 2007 and therefore would have to undergo significant modification as well as additional emissions testing. This from a business only standpoint would most likely be too costly to justify in a US market that doesn’t particularly embrace diesel cars.

Leave me a comment if you hear more.

Category: Automotive | 8 Comments »
Tags: car, smart

Posted By RichC on June 29, 2006

Thankfully this is the internet and not the Civics classroom because there just wouldn’t be a way to discuss this particular story comfortably. I’ve written about Judge Cashman, parttime Judges in my county and Judge Connor, but this judge holding a murder trial while … well .. multi-tasking is impossible to believe. I let the Greta Van Susteren “On the Record” video clip speak for itself … you won’t believe it.

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Posted By RichC on June 29, 2006

US Army Staff Sgt. Christian Begge lost his right leg at the knee and his left leg just above the ankle after two IEDs exploded near his Humvee in Iraq about a year ago. On Tuesday this week he went running with President George W. Bush at the White House in Washington, D.C. fulfilling a promise after a visit a Brooke Army Medical Center in January.

Bagge’s true achievement is not that he is running with President Bush, but his dedication and positive outlook told life. Words can tell only so much, but listening to him speak (see video clip below) shows what an incredible man he is. Begge admits that he just wanted back the normalcy of his daily routine. He says, “its been an extremely long journey to this point” because he “wanted to do everything he did before.”

We all need stories like Bagge’s in a world full of pessimism as it reminds us that true strength of character comes from within. It not only helps the injured to recover and conquer the next hurdle, but it is uplifting to everyone when this positive outlook and attitude is displayed.

I admire the mental and physical strength of Sgt. Christian Begge to be able to recover to the point he can run with the President, but even more the fact that his tour in Iraq, the terrorists IEDs and his long recovery did not shake his outstanding character is something I truly admire.

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Posted By RichC on June 28, 2006

An article in Edmonds.com tickled some Volkswagen diesel lovers with new information on the 2008 VW common-rail diesels. As most VW TDI (diesel) fans know, Volkswagen will not be producing a 2007 diesel model for North American. (link) Although they have dropped the Jetta and New Beetle TDIs for 2007, the article is encouraging for 2008 model year since an all-new common-rail diesel is planned. VW intends to use the new 2.0-liter diesel engine which is estimated to produce 140 horsepower and over 200 pound-feet of torque. The change from TDI Pumpe-Duse technology is necessary to meet tougher U.S. regulations. Who knows … it might be a change worth waiting for?

Category: Automotive, Biodiesel, Volkswagen | 55 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on June 27, 2006

Interesting airplane crash story with a positive ending. Forty-five year-old Alain Vasserot was piloting a small plane on Sunday evening in California when things when awry. While attempting to land at Palomar Airport just before 7:30 in Carlsbad, he ended up landing in a tree. Yes … landed in a tree. All pilots (and non-pilots with commonsense) know that trees are something we try to avoid at all cost. Nevertheless in Mr. Vasserot’s case the tree might have saved his life, as after lodging his plane firmly in the treetop he was able to safely wait for rescue crews. They were able to ladder their way to the airplane and bring him safely to the ground without major injury. Like they say, any landing you can walk away from is a good landing … but I’m not sure this scenerio was considered? Although … he had to climb down and didn’t ‘just walk away’ … or is that just semantics?
🙂

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Posted By RichC on June 26, 2006

With the cost of fuel hovering just below $3.00 a gallon, alternative vehicles are becoming more and more attractive to average citizens. Unfortunately most alternative vehicles are only suited for weekend mechanics or people with expendable income. Enter Myers Motors and their all electric NmG (No More Gas). I had the good fortune last week while traveling to stop and visit with Dana Meyers, the president of Myers Motors. We had an enjoyable interview and a test drive in their little electric vehicle in Tallmadge Ohio.

The Myers Motors design originally was part of the Corbin Motors company in Hollister California. The Sparrow as it was known, was built between 2000 to late 2002 before Corbin Motors filed bankruptcy. The futuristic looking electric car (licensed as a motorcycle) sold for a reasonable MSRP $13,900 to about 350 fortunate owners. Myers Motors purchased the assets including a bunch of ‘shells’ and redesigned (and continues improve) the electrics and drive train. This new vehicle, the NmG, runs on three wheels, handles like a go-cart. It accelerates extraordinarily quickly to a top speed of 70 mph; believe me it is quick — I shockingly found this out while pulling into traffic and chirping the single rear drive wheel. I think I was expecting golf cart like acceleration.

According to Dana Myers, he sees a bright future for electric vehicles. Not only is their vehicle unique, it is also reasonable to operate. The simple electrics are designed to recharge at home from either a 220 or 110 outlet and can be fully recharged in 6-8 hours for about 55 cents at 11 cents per kilowatt hour. (quicker with the 220 charger) Myers research shows that most people commute less than 20 miles and are with one person in the vehicle where the NmG is perfectly suited. My primary pet peeve with the all electric NmG is that the range using 13 gell cell batteries is only about 30 hours. (see online manual)

Nevertheless, the electric NmG was very impressive. The hand built vehicles are constructed by craftsmen in a nice size facility in northeastern Ohio. (close to Akron) From the electric windows to the excellent instrumentation, I felt my lime green test ride was surprisingly comfortable. The little one seater has windshield wipers, heater/defroster, audio system and a cute little 6 cubic foot trunk. The would be gas door hids a recharging plug.

Dana Myers had to make several concessions to keep the MSRP at $24,900, this includes the very safe but somewhat low tech batteries that give an unacceptable range even for electric vehicles, in my opinion. It will be interesting to see just what can be accomplished with A123 Battery package or an eventual fuel cell system?

All in all, I enjoyed my visit with Dana and his enthusiasm for the NmG. I wish him well at marketing a one seat vehicle that can only go 30 miles between charges. If you are interested in adding a fun to drive EV to your garage, be sure to contact Myers Motors at 330.630.3768 or visit www.myersmotors.com to checkout the NmG.

***MSNBC has an easy read on some future EVs and hybrids here.
***GreenCarCongress had a good post about the Toyota RAV4 EV as well, one of the more promising real sized EVs.

Category: Misc | 8 Comments »
Tags: ev

Posted By RichC on June 24, 2006

A Businessweek article detailed a push in Brazil to use soy and other oil seed vegetable oils with their petroleum diesel. Brazil is already a leader in moving to ethanol, and this new biofuel will add to its sugarcane alcohol fuel.

Petrobras, the state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, said the new fuel, called H-Bio, was developed over 18 months by mixing refinery petroleum with oil from soy, sunflower seeds, cotton and castor beans. The new H-Bio fuel is different from biodiesel in that it is not processed but that the oil is blended in amounts up to 15% with petroleum diesel at the refinery level.

Petrobras predicted that three refineries would produce the new fuel by 2007.

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Posted By RichC on June 23, 2006

In May I posted a story on “Water Power for you car” and received a few comments and couple of emails wanting more information. I attempted to dig for a bit more and sent an email to the developer. I was sent a promotional video clip that is included below. Basically the equipment was designed for the metalworking industry but could have application anywhere clean hydrogen fuel is needed. Here’s a link to a ScienceDirect abstract, or the full PDF for those with a science oriented mind.

My primary reason for trying to contact the developer was to see some actual numbers on how much amperage is used to create a particular amount of gas in to provide the BTUs. I’ve yet to find that out. (any sleuths out there?)

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Posted By RichC on June 22, 2006

Imagine moving a full DVD movie through a network in 5 seconds … impossible? Yes for now, but the engineers and researchers over at IBM have build a transistor that runs faster than anything we currently have. Imagine the speeds that electronic devices could process data if they were zooming at speeds 250 times faster than cell phones? Imagine cooled chipsets in computers clocking up near 500 gigahertz … they would be “ultra-fast” says an article on msnbc/msn.

“What we’ve been doing in the last several years is pushing the absolute limits of silicon technology,” said Bernie Meyerson, head of semiconductor research for IBM. Researchers achieved speeds about 100 time faster than current chips in computers from transistors from silicon “laced” with the chemical element germanium. The test transistor achieved a speed of 500 gigahertz by a group from IBM working with the Georgia Institute of Technology, but only when they cooled it to absolute zero — yet the numbers were still impressive running it at room temperature: 300 gigahertz. (this humbles my notebook with an Intel Pentium M running at 1.7 gHz — room temperature.) According the the article, “Meyerson forecasts that the advances will show up in real products within a couple years.” I’m thinking maybe I should wait a little while to buy a new computers or upgrade my network components?

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