Saturday, March 5, 2011

Pesky Nose-Cone Problem Downs NASA's Glory Satellite

Pesky Nose-Cone Problem Downs NASA's Glory Satellite

Pesky Nose-Cone Problem Downs NASA's Glory Satellite

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 02:17 PM PST

A second high-profile failure in two days has helped make a bona-fide rough week for NASA. The U.S. space agency's Glory atmospheric research mission satellite crashed into the Pacific Ocean Friday, one day after a faulty o-ring caused a space suit leak on board the Shuttle Discovery. A so-called "nose cone fairing" that protects the enclosed satellite "did not separate as expected about three minutes after launch," said NASA spokesperson Steve Cole. The failed fairing brought down the Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, causing a $424 million loss.

Google's Content-Farm Algorithm Yields Bitter Harvest

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST

Late last month, Google deployed a new algorithm intended to improve the quality of its search results, and as some critics feared, the results have in several cases hurt legitimate websites. The algorithm was meant to clamp down on website owners gaming the system to raise their standings in search results. Perhaps two of the most prominent accused system-gamers in recent months were J.C. Penney and Overstock.com. Both allegedly got multiple sites to link back to them to improve their site rankings, though both companies have denied this was a deliberate act backed by top management.

Apple Sticks It to the DIY Repairman

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST

People have always had an interest in repair. Haynes Manuals helped pave the road for today's do-it-yourself industry more than 50 years ago, providing people with written instructions on how to take apart their cars. Repairs can be taxing and frustrating, especially when the manufacturing company focuses on style and assembly, and not disassembly. There is a practice called "design for manufacturing" that's becoming more and more common in every stage and generation of devices. Many companies are also now beginning to design for repairability.

Android Calls Shotgun in Upcoming Saabs

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST

In what could potentially be a huge win for Android, Swedish automaker Saab has selected the operating system as the basis of its IQon in-vehicle infotainment system. Saab will open up the API for IQon to third-party developers and set up an app store to which they can post their apps after approval. Users will be able to download any apps they like from the store, although Saab didn't provide any details about pricing. IQon provides an embedded computer platform in a vehicle with a modem that automatically connects to the Internet when the vehicle's owner switches on the ignition.
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