Xeron Thrusts. Blinds. Rotating cats.

“Well, Babe, it’s just young me on a long flight to Mars. So…” (1951.Flight to Mars/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Xeron thrusts. Sounds like either a superhero or an adult entertainment personality.

Or some suspended belief SciFi situation. (And who isn’t doesn’t on occasion to contemplate swinging that cat by the tail? Ye who is innocent, cast the first stone or hairball.)

Casting about, the space guys are tweaking the space works since Dragons can just be counted on for so far – whether flame out GOT Rhaegal or SpaceX-17 which arrived on schedule at the Space Station today unlike it’s uncrewed twin that flamed up and exploded last month.)

Traditional space vehicle chemical rocket fuel propellant is heavy, takes up too much room, and there’s no topping off the tanks in space..yet.

Unfolding currently is the Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) project focusing on real gossamer solar wings: either fan-like or a long ribbon rolling out like a window shade. After launch, the plan is to unfurl the solar scarfs to collect sunlight, convert it to electrical power to be fed into fuel-efficient, electrostatic thrusters to generate electrons in the thruster’s magnetic field.

Then the electrons ionize the inert gas, Xenon, creating a zooming exhaust plume of plasma to shove the spacecraft forward. (More about NASA’s SEP here.)

Go, Xeron, go! Sounds super. Just like Prometheus using krypton.

“Glad these space suit pants hold a sharp crease so we can make a good impression on the locals babes.” (1952.Radar Men from the Moon/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

What did I tell, ya’? Stuff of myths, legends, and superheroes. But what do you expect when among stars?

While you’re spaced, circle around for news about the orbiting outpost, Gateway that will be escorted into space near the moon and held there by high powered SEPs to act as a low orbit rest/refuel stop for long range space vehicles – sort of like a highway Buc-ee’s here on Earth.

Eerie similarities: out in the middle of wide open spaces, exploring the Last Frontier, men looked for the stars, dealing with vehicle issues… maybe “Travel the USA” was just a practice run for outer space? (1948/Janice Waltzer/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Coming back down to Earth with blinding speed, the sun is shining through different windows this time of year, so different blinds must be adjusted so RC Cat can sunbathe.

Give us a break. She whines if we don’t. And mauls the blinds. I am not buying new ones again. She has teeth and not afraid to move things with them.

Hell has no fury like cat denied access to sunny windows.

If there’s a positive, it’s that Staff can spring into action and collect the accumulation of shunned cat hair in the previously preferred locations without snarls interference by occupant.

That’s why it’s call Spring cleaning. The cat said so. We thought it was because you had to be fast and spring clean out of claw swipe range. But, no.

“What? Hurricane season trial run? No, that is not what is meant by boxed lunch.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

She’s like a sunflower: rotates with the sun. 

Fortunately the window screens are in good shape, so she won’t get on a roll and end up in some strange universe. She’d definitely see stars. You just don’t know about Black Holes.

SciFi has proved right more than once.

Star and cat crossed.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

When you wish upon a star sometimes you get an autograph. But don’t expect acknowledgment from the cat star. (AWIS/Commons.wikimedia.org)

 

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