Author: gekko
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Duct Tape and Determination: Ed Smylie’s Apollo 13 Heroics
On April 21, 2025, the world bid farewell to Robert “Ed” Smylie, a NASA engineer whose name is forever etched in the annals of space exploration history. At 95, Smylie passed away in Crossville, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy that proves sometimes the simplest tools—like a roll of gray duct tape—can solve the most cosmic…
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The Hadamard Code: From Mars to Single-Pixel Cameras
Imagine it’s 1971, and you’re a scientist at NASA. You’ve just launched Mariner 9, the first spacecraft to orbit another planet, and it’s sending back photos of Mars. But there’s a catch: the data has to travel millions of miles through space, and any interference could corrupt the images. How do you ensure those precious…
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Noise Everywhere: Why Silence is an Illusion
When you hear the word “noise,” your first thought might drift pleasantly to the soothing rush of waves at the seaside, or perhaps to the calming whisper of trees in the wind. But noise isn’t always so serene or welcome. In fact, our world—and indeed our universe—is positively humming with unwanted interruptions. Let’s take a…
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The Great Space Switcheroo: A Cosmic Comedy of Perspectives
Well, folks, the astronauts are back on terra firma as of March 18, 2025, and the saga of Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and their two cosmic compadres has officially touched down—both literally and figuratively. What started as a quick eight-day jaunt aboard Boeing’s Starliner turned into an eight-month ISS sleepover, thanks to some pesky thrusters…