Nuclear Program Issues – How Do You Make Fogbank? – washingtonpost.com

Posted by Matt in August 4th, 2009 | no comment

Published in Nuclear, 1980s, Congressional Attention, Element, Gao, Government Accountability Report, Initial Delivery, Lead, National Nuclear Security, National Nuclear Security Administration, National Security, Nine Years, Nnsa, Nuclear Program, Nuclear Security Administration, Warheads

Initial delivery of the reconditioned W-76 warheads was to begin in 2007 and take nine years. But according to a March 2009 Government Accountability Report, the program ran into a problem — “Fogbank.” It turned out that there initially was no replacement for this key element of the W-76, and the National Nuclear Security Administration [...]

GPS Accuracy Could Start Dropping in 2010

Posted by Matt in May 14th, 2009 | no comment

Published in GPS, Satellites, 3 Years, Air Force, Curves, Gao, Generation Gps, Gps Accuracy, Gps Iii, Gps Satellites, Launch, Next Generation, Operational Satellite, Probability, Reliability, Satellite Constellation, Satellite Orbit

Delays in launching new satellites – the next one is scheduled for a November 2009 launch, almost 3 years late – could be problematic if the older hardware starts failing. The GAO has calculated – using reliability curves for each operational satellite – that the probability of keeping a 24-satellite constellation in orbit drops below [...]

Loss of Homes Threatens Social Stability in China

Posted by Matt in December 6th, 2008 | no comment

Published in China, China China, China Economic, Chinese People, Domestic Unrest, Flashpoint, Gao, Gap, Half An Hour, Half Life, Local Authorities, Losing a House in China, Profits, Rapid Economic Growth, Social Inequality, Social Stability, Wealth Gap

China’s rapid economic growth has benefited millions of people, but it also increasingly has become the source for much domestic unrest as the widening wealth gap helps solidify a growing sense of social inequality. One flashpoint for Chinese people who are not wealthy is the loss of their homes, often by local authorities who seize [...]