The air force needs Playstation 3

The American Air Force Research Laboratory has just issued a shopping list to FBO which includes 300 Playstaion 3. They claimed it is for a “research” regarding certain cell processors. The processors in the Sony PlayStation 3 are the only brand on the market that utilizes the specific cell processor characteristics needed for this program at an acceptable cost.

It is, however, still uncertain from the above report what exactly does the air force what the PS3s for. My guess would be for National Missile Defence (remember few years ago when there was a rumor saying that the Iraqi military secretly bought numbers of PS2s and use the chips for missiles?)

Or, they’re simply buying the PS3s for a massive game play of “Call of Duty 4.” Who knows? There’s gotta be some recreational activities right?

To Tibet: flight or train?

 

It’s been a while ever since travellers can reach Tibet by sky-train, but it’s about time for feed backs on how to get there. In the past seven years, the Chinese government has laid 710 miles of track across western China and the Tibetan plateau, creating the highest elevated railway ever built. At its tallest point, the Tanggula Pass near the China-Tibet border, the Sky Train climbs to 16,640 feet.

The lowest level of accommodations is simply an uncushioned seat. The most luxurious option, soft-sleeper class, has flat-screen TVs and four soft bunk beds (with down comforters) in each cabin. In the hard-sleeper class, which is less private, consists of compartments with no doors. Three wooden bunks are stacked on both sides of the cabin, so the person at the top has to sleep nose-to-ceiling.

Unless you’re really into the scenery from Beijing to Tibet, I recommend flight. It’s quicker and more comfortable (or at least, the period of discomfort is reduced.) That’s how my mom and brother travel to Tibet every year anyway.

No matter which way you choose though, you would feel it’s all worth it once you reach Tibet. That’s a fact.

Fly for five years: almost there

Flight Global just announced in this article that DARPA is close to awarding a contract to build an unmanned aircraft that can stay in the air for up to 5 years. But again, the main issue is how are they going to power the aircraft for such period. The design of the aircraft is aimed at being able to hover over a single area, narcing, communicating, or surveying for years at a time. Oops, did I forgot to mention it will have to do it while carrying a 1000 pound payload in the fearsome winds at a 60,000—90,000 feet? No brainer right? Now I wonder if I’m going to be able to see the aircraft built before I turn 80.