This picture of SR 71, at one time, would be highly classified. This picture is a flight test to extend the data antenna, which extends and retracts it out of C bay. What they had done with the SR 71 was a miraculous improvement; the information that the airplane collected, which was vast, could now be downloaded near real-time. You would no longer have to wait to give the information to the Pentagon or, in some cases, the President of the United States. The 967 was the first to be fitted with the new data link system. The antenna itself extends below the C bay, which is the foreword part of the nose, landing gear wheel well, and his house in a dome-like structure. ( the two blade antennas were retractable from the 60’s to mid 70’s. The motors keep failing do Lockheed changed from retractable to fixed.~ Floyd Jones)
It was designed to transmit the radar imagery to a ground processing station.
One of the complaints against the SR 71 that prompted its premature cancellation in 1989 was there was no real-time link. During reactivation, this was one of the updates.
The SR 71 had its last flight on October 9, 1999,
Many people think that the last flight was on March 6, 1990.
But NASA and the short-lived reactivation of the SR 71s kept the SR 71’s in the air occasionally; it only lasted ten years ~
Mike Zimmerman added this comment: the datalink we installed during the reactivation was a fixed installation. It did not extend or retract. If we had some additional time, we would have added the Electro-optical TEOC cameras to the datalink. This would have allowed us to downlink both ASARS and digital photos at the same time.
The picture of the extended antenna is from the early 80's when the data link concept was being tested flying out of Flight Test in Palmdale the antenna was to extend and retract out of C bay but kept burning up the motors was shelved until the reactivation in the mid 90's although a fixed antenna at the time. Mike Relja
I’m thankful for my experts that have weighed in about this mostly unknown part of the SR 71 history.
Linda Sheffield
@Habubrats71 via X
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writeblr intro!
Well, hello there! Welcome to my page! Thought I'd finally get around to writing and pinning an intro, seeing as my writeblr recommendations post has gone STRATOSPHERIC and I've followed so many new accounts!
I'm Jeb (he/him), 20 years old, and an aspiring writer, poet and disaster dork from New Zealand (who currently lives in the UK - England, to be more precise). I'm a huge lover of writing and reading science fiction works, particularly hard sci-fi - Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey series and his novel The Songs of Distant Earth were the works that inspired a young me to start taking writing seriously. I also write fanfiction, romance, horror, a smidgen of fantasy, spy fiction... whatever takes my fancy, basically! I also love writing and reading poetry, and hope to have some of my poems published professionally by the end of 2023!
Outside of writing, I'm a huge motorsport lover. Formula One is my main passion, and in fact I originally joined tumblr to post about my then-WIP, The Edge Of Control. TEOC may be in cryogenic storage, but my love of speed and high-octane racing remains: I regularly watch F1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship. I also love spaceflight, astronomy, Shakespeare, teen movies from the 80s/90s (ESPECIALLY John Hughes' work), many cheesy romcoms and lasagna. (What? It's literally the perfect food!)
Right, now with all that out of the way, let's get onto the real good stuff... (sorry in advance for the lack of taglists, I haven't remembered how they work!)
links to my work:
jebberjabber on AO3 (my main account, for fanfiction)
degnercurve130R on AO3 (for F1/racing works)
KesslerCascade on Wattpad (for original works)
works-in-progress
You Can't Take It Back Now!
type: fanfiction (fandom: Bittersweet Candy Bowl, Webcomic)
genre: romance (of the sapphic, friends-to-lovers variety)
summary: Sue and Amaya have been best friends ever since they met in second grade. They're proudly inseparable, but when a secretive confession from Amaya turns into a sudden kiss from the assuredly-straight Sue, everything changes. Can they navigate their friendship while dealing with their rampant emotions? Is it just drama, or did Sue have more investment into their kiss than she let on?
status: six chapters currently complete, with two published on AO3! Bi-weekly updates planned.
link: You Can't Take It Back Now! on AO3
White Sky
type: original work
genre: hard science fiction/mystery/thriller
summary: It's 2094, and the Earth-Luna Treaty Organisation (ELTO) is planning the upcoming 125th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Meanwhile, Katarina 'Kat' Lloyd, a reclusive scientist, is framed for a crime she didn't commit and forced into outer space. Seeking refuge aboard the cislunar debris hauler Dowager Caroline, Kat and the Caroline's motley crew discover that her framing was simply a cog in a much bigger plot - one with dire consequences for mankind...
status: currently in the planning stage, rough draft established and plot outline written
works published on Tumblr:
An Acquired Taste - In a post-cyberpunk/solarpunk imagining of 22nd-century New Seoul, a corporate engineer makes a chance meeting with a street vendor and makes an important discovery.
Executive Decisions - In an alternate history where the Cold War went hot, a US Air Force nuclear-bomber crew face a moral dilemma as they near their Soviet target.
Operation Trident - A soldier experiences a combat drop on the Belgian coast, as part of an ongoing human offensive against an alien occupation force.
Ignition Sequence - An experiment with a second-person perspective where the watcher observes a Space Shuttle launch in Florida.
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Transparent Governance and Ethical Conduct Act
## Preamble:
**Whereas, it is essential to establish a framework that ensures transparency, integrity, and equitable participation in the democratic process;**
**Now, therefore, be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of California, this 3rd day of December, 2023, that the following provisions shall comprise the Transparent Governance and Ethical Conduct Act:**
## Section 1: Transparency Requirements
1.1 **Public Disclosure of Contributions and Expenditures:**
- Public officials shall disclose campaign contributions, lobbying expenditures, and Super PAC contributions within 30 days, detailing each transaction.
1.2 **Centralized Platform:**
- The Department of State Election Commission shall establish an online platform for transparent disclosure, ensuring accessibility and advanced search functionalities.
## Section 2: Restrictions on Contributions
2.1 **Limitations on Contributions:**
- Imposition of contribution limits for individuals, organizations, and entities to political campaigns, parties, PACs, and Super PACs.
2.2 **Public Financing Mechanisms:**
- Exploration and establishment of public financing models, including matching funds or grants, with clear eligibility criteria.
## Section 3: Cooling-Off Periods
3.1 **Duration of Waiting Periods:**
- Stipulation of waiting periods for former public officials engaging in lobbying and Super PAC activities.
3.2 **Definition of Lobbying and Super PAC Activities:**
- Precise definition of terms related to lobbying, extending waiting periods to cover engagements with Super PACs.
## Section 4: Stricter Lobbying and Super PAC Regulations
4.1 **Ethical Standards for Lobbying:**
- Mandatory adherence to stringent ethical standards for lobbyists, requiring registration and periodic reporting.
4.2 **Prohibited Lobbying and Super PAC Practices:**
- Explicit enumeration of prohibited practices, accompanied by regulations preventing coordination between candidates and Super PACs.
## Section 5: Independent Oversight
5.1 **Establishment of TEOC:**
- Creation of the Transparency and Ethics Oversight Commission (TEOC) as an independent regulatory body, with oversight of Super PAC activities and investigative powers.
5.2 **Investigative Powers:**
- Granting TEOC broad investigative powers, enabling it to initiate investigations and issue findings.
## Section 6: Consequences for Violations
6.1 **Penalties:**
- Articulation of penalties for violations, including fines, suspension, and disqualification, consistent with due process.
## Section 7: Public Awareness and Education
7.1 **Educational Programs:**
- Implementation of programs in collaboration with educational institutions and media outlets to inform the public about campaign finance, lobbying, and Super PAC issues.
7.2 **Promotion of Civic Engagement:**
- Organization of initiatives, such as town hall meetings and online forums, to encourage civic engagement and foster an informed electorate.
## Section 8: Transparent Banking System
8.1 **Mandatory Use of Designated Accounts:**
- Constituents, public officials, and Super PACs shall conduct all financial transactions through accounts approved by the [Appropriate Regulatory Authority].
8.2 **Integration with Transparency Platform:**
- Seamless integration of the designated banking system with the centralized platform for real-time reporting.
8.3 **Random Audits for Constituents and Super PACs:**
- Independent auditing bodies shall conduct random audits of constituents, Super PACs, and public officials periodically.
8.4 **Mandatory Annual Audits for Public Officials and Super PACs:**
- Public officials and Super PACs shall undergo mandatory annual audits conducted by reputable independent auditing firms.
8.5 **Penalties for Non-Compliance:**
- Penalties for non-compliance with the mandatory use of designated accounts, including fines and temporary suspension of financial privileges.
## Section 9: Prohibition on Corporate Direct Contributions
9.1 **Corporate Contributions:**
- Corporations are prohibited from making direct financial contributions to political campaigns, candidates, or private individuals engaged in electoral activities.
9.2 **Prohibition on Private Agreements:**
- Any covert agreements or arrangements attempting to circumvent the prohibition on direct contributions are explicitly prohibited.
9.3 **Public Scrutiny:**
- Violation of this prohibition shall invoke penalties, ensuring stringent enforcement.
9.4 **Monitoring and Enforcement:**
- Regulatory authorities shall be empowered to conduct investigations into suspected violations.
9.5 **Reporting Obligations:**
- Corporations shall report any financial transactions that may be construed as attempts to contribute to political campaigns.
9.6 **Whistleblower Protections:**
- Whistleblower provisions shall protect individuals reporting potential violations.
9.7 **Corporate Accountability Measures:**
- Graduated penalties for violations, including fines and potential restrictions on corporate privileges.
## Section 10: Regulation of Super PACs
10.1 **Super PAC Reporting Requirements:**
- Super PACs shall submit detailed quarterly reports to the [Appropriate Regulatory Authority].
10.2 **Prohibition on Foreign Contributions to Super PACs:**
- Explicitly prohibit foreign entities or individuals from making contributions to Super PACs.
10.3 **Disclosure of Top Donors:**
- Super PACs shall disclose their top donors prominently in all public communications and advertisements.
## Section 11: Anti-Corruption Measures
11.1 **Prohibition on Corrupt Practices:**
- Explicitly prohibit corrupt practices, including bribery and extortion.
11.2 **Protection of Public Officials:**
- Establish measures to protect public officials from undue influence, harassment, or coercion.
## Section 12: Public Funding Allocation Criteria
12.1 **Criteria for Public Funding Allocation:**
- Define transparent criteria for the allocation of public funding to candidates.
12.2 **Public Input in Funding Allocation:**
- Establish mechanisms for public input in the allocation of public funds.
## Section 13: Future-Proofing
13.1 **Adaptability Clause:**
- Include an adaptability clause that allows for updates and amendments to the legislation.
13.2 **Emerging Technologies and Social Media:**
- Anticipate and address the impact of emerging technologies and social media on campaign finance.
## Section 14: Prohibition on Revolving Door Practices
14.1 **Definition of Revolving Door Practices:**
- Clearly define "Revolving Door Practices" as the movement of individuals between public office and lobbying or influential positions.
14.2 **Duration of Waiting Period:**
- Establish a waiting period before former public officials can engage in lobbying or influential positions.
14.3 **Reporting and Enforcement:**
- Mandate the reporting of post-public service employment by former public officials to the [Appropriate Regulatory Authority].
14.4 **Public Disclosure of Post-Public Service Employment:**
- Ensure public disclosure of the post-public service employment of former public officials.
NOTE: This isn't final, feel free to correct and add to this, I'm sure we the people can do better than those who've failed to represent us
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costume, disease for the writer ask game
Thanks Cosmic for the asks, sorry it took so long :/
COSTUME - How much research have you done for your WIP?
As you may have noticed from my recent Worldbuilding Wednesday answers, I have a slight fixation on the science and backstory behind White Sky :P It's less research and more applying my previous passion to writing, since I've been a huge fan of hard science fiction and spaceflight in general for much, much longer than I have been planning White Sky.
DISEASE - If you had to live in a setting of your creation, which would you pick?
I'm going to open this one up to past WIPs I've created, just to broaden the proverbial net.
White Sky - difficult to say. While going into space is my dream, I have doubts about how comfortable space would be on a regular basis, especially considering my physical limitations as a disabled person, not to mention the extremely dangerous nature of space in general and the less-than-stellar conditions on 2094 Earth. I think I'd make it work, but the jury's out on whether it'd be better or worse than my current life...
The Reappearance of Evan Palmer - I mean, Conviction is a fucked-up little town, even in the mid-2000s when the story takes place. It's basically my version of Stephen King's Castle Rock, Maine: a small, semi-rural town with a great deal of supernatural legends, unexplained phenomena and mysterious locales. As an ordinary university student, I'd probably get through it fine. Then again, there's always a risk, so I'm gonna go with no.
The Wee Hours - absolutely not.
Polarity - okay, this one's kinda cheating as a significant portion of the setting is basically my nostalgic memories plus a heavy dose of wish-fulfillment, but a vibrant queer-positive city combined with a diverse cast of interesting characters, a heap of John Hughes/John Green-style teenage wonder and drama, plus a beautiful natural location??? Sign me up!!
The Edge of Control - while I'd not make it as a Formula One driver for obvious reasons, I'd like to think that in this WIP I'd be a journalist or racing team member of some sort, in which case I'd be more than happy to live here. The exhausting work schedule and intense drama of the F1 paddock would be the only real drawback - I'd put TEOC second behind Polarity because of this.
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