NASA & Subs and a Submarine in a Wind Tunnel

The Navy submarine pictured in this image underwent testing in the National Transonic Facility at Langley Research Center in this 1986 photo. Because air works in the same way as a liquid, wind tunnels can be used to simulate the effects of water on a submarine hull.

Source: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_916.html

More NASA and Submarine Stuff:

The Limits of Astronauts Monday, Sep. 17, 1973

As the Skylab astronauts completed their 43rd day in space at week's end, they were still healthy and cheerful. Officials were elated. If the astronauts remained in good health and readjusted well to the earth's gravity on their return, said NASA Administrator James Fletcher, then "we've come a long way" toward proving that man can physically endure even the projected two-year Mars mission. But one group of experts remained doubtful about the prospects for longer manned flights. They were NASA's Navy consultants, who have spent years studying the psychological effects of lengthy confinement on U.S. nuclear-submarine crews. (Click for Rest of Article)

NASA wants to pay $17,000 for test subjects to stay in bed for 90 days straight

(Lets not make fun of submarine Chiefs on this one)

Participants will spend 90 days lying in bed, (except for limited times for specific tests) with their body slightly tilted downward (head down, feet up). Every day, they will be awake for 16 hours and lights out (asleep) for 8 hours.

Submarine Astronaut Stephen G. Bowen (CAPTAIN, USN)
Space Shuttle STS-126 mission to the International Space Station (ISS)
Launch of STS-126 is targeted for November 10, 2008

STS-126 News Wire

Submarine Museums Could be Ready Made Power Plants

One thing I like to do with this new blog is put down some of my wacky idea’s. Some of them are probably pretty stupid, but this is like a think out loud session for me. Some brain storming if you will. When I was active duty and decommissioning submarines left and right, I had the idea of using retired Poseidon Missiles for commercial launch vehicles. Just seemed like a big waste sinking all those rockets on barges for destruction. We could have saved a few of those old 41 for freedom boats for launch platforms and the Navy could have made a little bit of money putting satellites into space. Like I said, seemed stupid at the time, but low and behold I start tracking submarine news for TheSubReport.com and the Russians are doing just that with their old SSBN Fleet.

So here is another one for you. The country needs more power production. And I want some late model submarine museums to visit. So they complain it takes about 10 years to build and get a reactor plant up and running for commercial power. I propose we already have them built and they are rusting in a shipyard just waiting to get cut up. Yes, I’m talking about our retired nuclear powered submarine fleet. They have proven to be very reliable platforms over the years so what’s the problem with using them to supplement the power grid. This might be just one of those tall tale sea stories you hear. But I heard on the Ustafish that after some big storm in Hawaii, a Fast Attack pulled in and was hooked up to the power grid to help restore power on a temporary basis. Don’t know if that is true. Just wonder if its possible.

And how but them MTS Nuc trainers in Charleston, that is a good example.



Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, S.C. Web Site
The home page of Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, SC NPTU https://www.npdc.navy.mil/nptu/

also see: Russia building floating nuclear power plant

We have plenty of prior trained Nuc’s around that would be happy to run these floating power stations for us on a decent civilian salary. And we can get some former forward rates to run the Museum part of it. Win-Win situation the way I see it. So all we have to do now is petition our local power companies and the government. We get ready made clean power for the country, and a bunch of submarine museum’s for us to take the kids and grandkids too and reminisce about the old Navy days. What could be better...

Concept: Florida Power & Light Nuclear Power Plant/Submarine Museum Titusville Florida

If you look closely, you can see the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) for the Space Shuttle in the background. So we would have 2 tourist attractions for the Space Coast area and power for Central Florida. Just have to figure how to get a Sub down the Banana and Indian River, but that’s just details..

Eric
TheSubReport.com

Please Come Back EM LOG!

The EM Log is still MIA and nowhere to be found. I really miss that guy. His daily blog entries were entertaining and priceless. There is no way I can remember all the specifics of boat life in such detail as he did yet write about them. His entries on the subject were unparalleled in the sub blog community. Some speculate 'Free The Nucs', the Blog author, is Active Duty. Joel at TSSBP also posted on this a few weeks ago with loads of comments on the subject.

TSSBP: Where Have You Gone, EM Log Blogger?

So I have a created a Image that everyone can post on their Blog or Website in hopes of a return of the Beloved EM LOG. You can just link this Blog entry to the image for your support of the return of the EM LOG.

Whereas we all Miss the EM Log..
Whereas we do not think that it directly violated good order and discipline of the U.S. Navy..
Whereas if the EM Log Author 'Free the Nucs' is active duty, we request immediate transfer to such duty that would allow him to re-activate his blog for the enjoyment of the Submarine Community.

OK I'm no lawyer...

Sign in the comment section if you miss the EM Log and somewhat agree with the above statements.

Eric
TheSubReport.com

Backyard Victory Oil Production

During WWII, production of equipment for the war effort was unprecedented. Hundreds of Tanks, Planes and Ships rolled off assembly lines daily.

Americans were further required to ration themselves on food products and other items like fuel and cigarettes to assist our boys overseas.

You might of also heard of the Victory Gardens during this time.

Amid regular rationing of canned food in Britain, a poster campaign ("Plant more in '44!") encouraged the planting of Victory Gardens by nearly 20 million Americans. These gardens produced up to 40 percent of all the vegetable produce consumed nationally.

(Victory Garden from Wikipedia)

So here we are in the middle of a great war again. Economy is slowing, fuel cost are escalating, so for Americans like our Forefathers and Mothers, when the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Gets Going! So here is my proposal for Backyard Victory Oil Gardens

Equipment needed is some sort of drilling device or derrick and some of those Inflatable ring Wal Mart Pools for Oil storage. Make sure to have plenty of EB Green tape around for emergency maintenance and containment to keep the EPA in check too. I figure about 5 houses for drilling and one Neighbor house as a refinery. The only problem is those Nazi Golf Cart Home Owner Association Nannie's. So at least try to paint all your equipment within local approved Home Owners Association guidelines for Heavens Sakes! Plus, if you strike Oil in your backyard thats got to help the resale value of homes in the neighborhood anyway..If you have any more idea's or engineering proposals for The Backyard Victory Oil Project, post them in the comment section. Happy Drilling!!!

Eric

TheSubReport.com

Let's go to the Drive In!

Now I am not real ancient compared to some of you old salty dogs out there, but I remember going to the drive in theater as a kid. But today there will be someone that reads this blog, that has never been to a Drive In Theater. Kinda sad since Drive In's or sorta an American Iconic experience, like Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie. When I was growing up in Orlando Florida we had 2 on the east side of town just a few miles a part. I have some great family memories of going to the movies on weekends. By the time I was teen, everyone shifted over to the regular mall theater and that was the start of the demise. They have since turned into flea markets and were eventually mowed down for strip malls. I think the other one actually had a school of some sorts built on it.

Well folks there is a few articles out there on Drive In Theaters today. Take a stroll down memory lane and enjoy.

Drive-in theater flame keeps burning

The big picture Drive-in movie theaters have a wavering history throughout the state

Drive-in theaters still a main attraction after 75 years

See if there is a Drive in Near
You...

Drive-In Theater

Dedicated to the keeping the American drive-in alive, features links, photos, and a listing of the few remaining drive-ins left.

Eric

TheSubReport.com

1170 KFAQ's Pat Campbell Visits the Gun Range

1170 KFAQ Morning Radio Talk Show Host Pat Campbell recently visited a gun range. Take a Look at this fire power Fella's. Ready on Left! Ready on the Right ! Ready on the Firing line!!

More Photos at Pat's Blog here...

Eric

TheSubReport.com

U.S. Navy Submarine Base In the Nevada Desert?

Alright, we need a fellow submariner to come forward and validate the Secret Desert Submarine Base. Just go ahead and spill the beans here, everyone knows about our secret operation. Man, I had some great liberty and drinking stories at that Desert Submarine Base too. Still kinda want to keep the place a secret.

They had John Lear on a repeat show talking about the secret desert submarine Base in Hawthorne, Nevada on Coast to Coast AM last night. That's a great show for us mid shift workers. All kinds of aliens, conspiracies and ghost stories to help keep you up all night.

You can read more on the linked message board here, and leave your thoughts..

Eric
TheSubReport.com

Where these guys come from?

I have lived in Central Florida for most of my life. And I could of counted on both hands how many times I saw a U.S. Border Patrol car until just a couple months ago.

Recently I took a short trip to Daytona. There was about 8 of them on the side of I-95. Look like they were going to bust a caravan of Illegals or maybe some major drug bust operation. Since then, I have been seeing them parked along the Interstate and toll roads just like the Highway Patrol. Just saw another one this morning..

Maybe they got a bunch new cruisers to escort illegals to the emergency rooms, or perhaps they give them a friendly ride home after a hard days work at the construction site.

What ever the reason, the U.S. Border Patrol has really increased there presence on Florida's Highways. Here's hoping something is finally getting done.

I tried to find a photo of the new Border Patrol cars that I have been spotting. They are late model Dodge sedans with green and white markings. Pretty fancy looking.

Anybody else seeing a escalation in U.S. Border Patrol in other states?

Eric

TheSubReport.com

McCain or Obama, Who Really Cares…

For those of you that know me, I am a huge political talk radio junkie. After years of listening and being engaged in the political process, I find myself awash. The two choices that we have for President have just obliterated my interest in the presidential bid for 2008.

I can not believe it myself sometimes, but I have hardly listened to any of my normal talk shows, like Glenn Beck, Rush, Hannity, Savage, Mark Levin, Ok, I pretty much usually listen to all of them, ok..



I have come to realization that after the Republicans held the Presidency and both houses for a short term, and choose to do absolutely nothing with it, there is no real significant difference between the political parties. At least at the federal level. There's the people in Washington D.C. and then the rest of us.

For the sake of discussion, it's not my intention to make the this a Liberal/Conservative bash session. Just some observations. I my self, am conservative. I believe in less government, capitalism, strong families and personal responsibility. These are just some the attributes that keep us free. The two choices for President do not entirely fit the bill for my core beliefs. Unfortunately, John McCain is to liberal for me, and Obama, well who is he again…? I really don't get the Obama craze, but there is a portion of the population that loves Rock Star type personalities and the media hype and if you think that Obama is your savior based on this alone, well have at em I guess. There's your JFK. If you are Liberal, is Obama really the preferred candidate you would have picked to lead the ticket?

So as a Conservative, I am faced with voting for the less of 2 evils, again... A proven aisle crossing Liberal and the new guy with no track record what's so ever that can not wait to grow the government and raise taxes. Not to say that the Government was not grown out of control during the Bush Presidency too.

So here is the quick fix that will never happen. We have to get money and power brokers out of politics. I would rather have the guy down the street that is running a honest small business become President then any of the candidates we get shoved down are throat every time. I have a feeling the small business owner has a lot more experience and thoughts on how to take care the economy then any of those supposedly higher educated politicians.

So my feeling is a way has to be created so regular citizens with out the backing of personal wealth and power brokers to get into politics and elected if they wished. There was a comedian that said being a congressman or senator should be like Jury Duty.

"All Man! I have to be Senator for the next 2 years! Maybe I can get out of it.."

I think that is great Idea!

But I don't think we are going to change anytime soon. So were stuck with a McCain who is just an extension of the Bush Presidency or Obama which accelerates us down the path of socialism. Step right up and pick you poison folks….

Maybe we have become like Rome were we will eventually vote are selves out of existence.

Eric
TheSubReport.com

Are Pets Better Than Humans?

There was a news story I believe local to Orlando Fl, that I heard on the raido on my way home from work last week. I have looked for the story so I can reference the link, but I have yet to find it.

I will post it as soon as it is located....

Update: Found IT! http://www.wftv.com/news/16966780/detail.html



The jest of the story is, there was some guy throwing kittens out his window from a moving vehicle. I guess some shocked and concerned citizens, I think mostly women, called the law and followed him to some business, where he is accosted for his actions and lucky for him the cops showed up as a angry mob was getting ready to do some vigilantly justice. Now I know there was this story not to long ago about a dead guy in the middle of street on a morning commute. People just walked and drove by with no concern. Then there was the guy that was left in a wheel chair in front of the Orlando International Airport after he suffered a stroke for 3 days. Yes kiddies, thats 3 DAYS! Nobody even stopped and asked him once if he was alright.

Maybe it's because I'm not a real big pet person, but I am very big on community and the human condition. Wouldn't it be wonderful, if we showed more concern for others when they are in trouble as was shown for these kittens.


KITTENS!!

Just a update on the kittens, I think there was 3 involved. One was killed, one is in recovery at a vet Hospital and will be adopted. The third is MIA.
(According to the article the guy just picked them up from somebody advertising free kittens. OHH thats so bad.....)

Just something to think about…

Eric
TheSubReport.com