Deep Space 1 was launched on this day back in 1998 to test a number of technologies aimed to lower the cost and risk of future space missions. Its mission ran to December 18, 2001 and in that time it successful completed its tasks and secondary goals including testing:
- an ion thruster,
- ‘Autonav,’ an autonomous navigation system
- ‘Remote Agent’ (remote intelligent self-repair software)
- SDST (Small, Deep-Space Transponder), a miniaturized radio system
- MICAS (Miniature Integrated Camera And Spectrometer), a smaller, lighter combination of prior instruments
- PEPE (Plasma Experiment for Planetary Exploration), again a combination of what would have been larger instruments
- SCARLET (Solar Concentrator Array of Refractive Linear Element Technologies), a lighter source with high power
- The Beacon Monitor experiment, where the spacecraft sends only a status signal during cruise
*source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Space_1
On August 14, 1982 the Navajo Code Talkers were given a Certificate of Recognition by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who also named today “Navajo Code Talkers Day”.
And wikipedia says today is National Creamsicles Day, FAIL.
Celebrate today how you see best fit… I’m going to start drafting some coded messages to share with some friends.
According to Wikipedia and the wisdom of crowds, today in the Northern Hemisphere is considered to be halfway through its summer and in the Southern Hemisphere they are halfway through its winter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_7
August 5th is National Night Out Against Crime. It is a day to strengthen the community and show support for local anticrime programs. So celebrate today by gathering up the community and organizing a block party, cookout or other community event!
For more information see: http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/index.html
On this day in 1958, President Eisenhower signed legistation creating the National Aeronautics Space Administation (NASA). Today let’s celebrate NASA’s 50th anniversary with… FREEZE-DRIED ICE CREAM FOR ALL!!!
On July 28 of 1933, the first singing telegram was delivered. The telegram was sent by a fan to Hollywood singing star Rudy Vallee as a birthday greeting. However the sender didn’t specify that it to be a singing telegram Western Union employee Lucille Lipps sang the message to Rudy over the telephone, thus creating the singing telegram. Celebrate today this 75 year old tradition by sending a singing telegram to someone special in your life!
Today is System Administrator Day! First celebrated on July 28 of 2000, it has been a tradition to thank your Sys Admin with flowers, cards or a fruit basket on the last Friday of July. So celebrate today by thanking your Sys Admins or other IT folks for their hardwork and mad computer skills.
May the Porcelain Gods have mercy on us, today is National Tequila Day. Celebrate as you see best fit.
