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How Can Astronauts Tell How Fast They’re Going?Let’s use our car again, but this time we’ll get real numbers from the accelerometer in our smartphone. Say we start at a red light and then accelerate at 2 m/s2 (meters per second squared) for five seconds. From the equation above, Δv1 would be 2 x 5 = 10 m/s, so that’s our velocity. Now, after cruising for a while, we accelerate again at 1 m/s2 for five more seconds. Δv2 is then 1 x 5 = 5 m/s. Adding these two changes, our velocity is now 15 m/s. And so on.The only problem is that inertial measurement isn’t as accurate as the Doppler method over long periods, because small errors will keep accumulating. That means you need to recalibrate your system periodically using some other method.Optical NavigationOn Earth, people have long navigated by the stars. In the northern hemisphere, just find Polaris. It’s called the North Star because Earth’s axis of rotation points right at it. That’s why it appears stationary, while the other stars seem to revolve around it. If you point a finger at Polaris you’ll be pointing north, and you can use that orientation to go in whatever direction you want.Now, if you can measure the angle of Polaris above the horizon, you’ll also know your latitude. If the angle is 30 degrees, you’re at latitude 30 degrees. See, it’s easy. And once you can measure position, you just need to do it twice and record the time interval to find your velocity.But celestial navigation works because we know how the Earth rotates, and that doesn’t help in a spacecraft. Oh well, can we just use the stars like you would use the cows on the side of the road? Nope. The stars are so far away, astronauts would need to travel for many, many generations to detect any shift in their position. Like the airplane flying over the sea, you’d seem to be stationary, even while traveling 25,000 mph.But we can still use the basic idea. For optical navigation in space, a spacecraft can locate other objects in the solar system. By knowing the precise location of these objects (which change over time) and where they appear relative to the viewer, it’s possible to triangulate a position. And again, by taking multiple position measurements over time, you can calculate a velocity.In the end, even though spaceships lack speedometers, it’s possible to track their speed indirectly with a little physics. But it’s just another example of how flying in space is really, totally different—and way more complicated—than driving or flying on Earth.#Astronauts #Fast #Theyredot physics,physics,astronomy,space,spacecraft,moon landing,navigation,acceleration

How Can Astronauts Tell How Fast They’re Going?

Let’s use our car again, but this time we’ll get real numbers from the accelerometer in our smartphone. Say we start at a red light and then accelerate at 2 m/s2 (meters per second squared) for five seconds. From the equation above, Δv1 would be 2 x 5 = 10 m/s, so that’s our velocity. Now, after cruising for a while, we accelerate again at 1 m/s2 for five more seconds. Δv2 is then 1 x 5 = 5 m/s. Adding these two changes, our velocity is now 15 m/s. And so on.

The only problem is that inertial measurement isn’t as accurate as the Doppler method over long periods, because small errors will keep accumulating. That means you need to recalibrate your system periodically using some other method.

Optical Navigation

On Earth, people have long navigated by the stars. In the northern hemisphere, just find Polaris. It’s called the North Star because Earth’s axis of rotation points right at it. That’s why it appears stationary, while the other stars seem to revolve around it. If you point a finger at Polaris you’ll be pointing north, and you can use that orientation to go in whatever direction you want.

Now, if you can measure the angle of Polaris above the horizon, you’ll also know your latitude. If the angle is 30 degrees, you’re at latitude 30 degrees. See, it’s easy. And once you can measure position, you just need to do it twice and record the time interval to find your velocity.

But celestial navigation works because we know how the Earth rotates, and that doesn’t help in a spacecraft. Oh well, can we just use the stars like you would use the cows on the side of the road? Nope. The stars are so far away, astronauts would need to travel for many, many generations to detect any shift in their position. Like the airplane flying over the sea, you’d seem to be stationary, even while traveling 25,000 mph.

But we can still use the basic idea. For optical navigation in space, a spacecraft can locate other objects in the solar system. By knowing the precise location of these objects (which change over time) and where they appear relative to the viewer, it’s possible to triangulate a position. And again, by taking multiple position measurements over time, you can calculate a velocity.

In the end, even though spaceships lack speedometers, it’s possible to track their speed indirectly with a little physics. But it’s just another example of how flying in space is really, totally different—and way more complicated—than driving or flying on Earth.

#Astronauts #Fast #Theyredot physics,physics,astronomy,space,spacecraft,moon landing,navigation,acceleration

Let’s use our car again, but this time we’ll get real numbers from the accelerometer in our smartphone. Say we start at a red light and then accelerate at 2 m/s2 (meters per second squared) for five seconds. From the equation above, Δv1 would be 2 x 5 = 10 m/s, so that’s our velocity. Now, after cruising for a while, we accelerate again at 1 m/s2 for five more seconds. Δv2 is then 1 x 5 = 5 m/s. Adding these two changes, our velocity is now 15 m/s. And so on.

The only problem is that inertial measurement isn’t as accurate as the Doppler method over long periods, because small errors will keep accumulating. That means you need to recalibrate your system periodically using some other method.

Optical Navigation

On Earth, people have long navigated by the stars. In the northern hemisphere, just find Polaris. It’s called the North Star because Earth’s axis of rotation points right at it. That’s why it appears stationary, while the other stars seem to revolve around it. If you point a finger at Polaris you’ll be pointing north, and you can use that orientation to go in whatever direction you want.

Now, if you can measure the angle of Polaris above the horizon, you’ll also know your latitude. If the angle is 30 degrees, you’re at latitude 30 degrees. See, it’s easy. And once you can measure position, you just need to do it twice and record the time interval to find your velocity.

But celestial navigation works because we know how the Earth rotates, and that doesn’t help in a spacecraft. Oh well, can we just use the stars like you would use the cows on the side of the road? Nope. The stars are so far away, astronauts would need to travel for many, many generations to detect any shift in their position. Like the airplane flying over the sea, you’d seem to be stationary, even while traveling 25,000 mph.

But we can still use the basic idea. For optical navigation in space, a spacecraft can locate other objects in the solar system. By knowing the precise location of these objects (which change over time) and where they appear relative to the viewer, it’s possible to triangulate a position. And again, by taking multiple position measurements over time, you can calculate a velocity.

In the end, even though spaceships lack speedometers, it’s possible to track their speed indirectly with a little physics. But it’s just another example of how flying in space is really, totally different—and way more complicated—than driving or flying on Earth.

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#Astronauts #Fast #Theyre

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50% OFF: Celebrate National Orgasm Day on July 31 with Babeland’s one-day flash sale. Save 50% on best-selling vibrators, rabbits, wands, and more.


Get up to 50% off best-selling toys.

July 31st is National Orgasm Day! (You’re welcome for your positive news dopamine shot of the day.) And, to celebrate, retailers everywhere are slashing prices on best-selling toys, kits, and more. One of my fave retailers, Babeland, is offering up to 50% off its best sellers, including The One Supreme Wand (54% off right now, so it may go even lower by this weekend!) and The One Rabbit (also on sale right now).

There isn’t an official sale tab marked on the site just yet, but I’ve received an email confirmation from the brand that there will be a National Orgasm Day Sale landing page hitting the site soon. It’s a one-day sale, so I thought I’d tell you to mark your calendars now.

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If you can’t wait for the sale or you prefer something a little kinkier, Babeland is currently offering up to 50% off BDSM and kink products (handcuffs, restraints, and the like) now through July 31. There are also a ton of vibrators on sale right now, including The One Le’Moan, which is a knockoff of the internet-famous Hello Nancy Lem. And, if you use the code GETHOT at checkout, it’ll get you an additional 10% off select items.

#Babeland #National #Orgasm #Day #Sale #sex #toys">Babeland National Orgasm Day Sale 2026: 50% off sex toys
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July 31st is National Orgasm Day! (You’re welcome for your positive news dopamine shot of the day.) And, to celebrate, retailers everywhere are slashing prices on best-selling toys, kits, and more. One of my fave retailers, Babeland, is offering up to 50% off its best sellers, including The One Supreme Wand (54% off right now, so it may go even lower by this weekend!) and The One Rabbit (also on sale right now).
        
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There isn’t an official sale tab marked on the site just yet, but I’ve received an email confirmation from the brand that there will be a National Orgasm Day Sale landing page hitting the site soon. It’s a one-day sale, so I thought I’d tell you to mark your calendars now.
        
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If you can’t wait for the sale or you prefer something a little kinkier, Babeland is currently offering up to 50% off BDSM and kink products (handcuffs, restraints, and the like) now through July 31. There are also a ton of vibrators on sale right now, including The One Le’Moan, which is a knockoff of the internet-famous Hello Nancy Lem. And, if you use the code GETHOT at checkout, it’ll get you an additional 10% off select items.

                    
                                            
                            
                        
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Babeland’s one-day flash sale. Save 50% on best-selling vibrators, rabbits, wands, and more.


Get up to 50% off best-selling toys.

July 31st is National Orgasm Day! (You’re welcome for your positive news dopamine shot of the day.) And, to celebrate, retailers everywhere are slashing prices on best-selling toys, kits, and more. One of my fave retailers, Babeland, is offering up to 50% off its best sellers, including The One Supreme Wand (54% off right now, so it may go even lower by this weekend!) and The One Rabbit (also on sale right now).

There isn’t an official sale tab marked on the site just yet, but I’ve received an email confirmation from the brand that there will be a National Orgasm Day Sale landing page hitting the site soon. It’s a one-day sale, so I thought I’d tell you to mark your calendars now.

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder readers’ pick for casual connections

Tinder top pick for finding hookups

Hinge popular choice for regular meetups

If you can’t wait for the sale or you prefer something a little kinkier, Babeland is currently offering up to 50% off BDSM and kink products (handcuffs, restraints, and the like) now through July 31. There are also a ton of vibrators on sale right now, including The One Le’Moan, which is a knockoff of the internet-famous Hello Nancy Lem. And, if you use the code GETHOT at checkout, it’ll get you an additional 10% off select items.

#Babeland #National #Orgasm #Day #Sale #sex #toys">Babeland National Orgasm Day Sale 2026: 50% off sex toys

50% OFF: Celebrate National Orgasm Day on July 31 with Babeland’s one-day flash sale. Save 50% on best-selling vibrators, rabbits, wands, and more.


Get up to 50% off best-selling toys.

July 31st is National Orgasm Day! (You’re welcome for your positive news dopamine shot of the day.) And, to celebrate, retailers everywhere are slashing prices on best-selling toys, kits, and more. One of my fave retailers, Babeland, is offering up to 50% off its best sellers, including The One Supreme Wand (54% off right now, so it may go even lower by this weekend!) and The One Rabbit (also on sale right now).

There isn’t an official sale tab marked on the site just yet, but I’ve received an email confirmation from the brand that there will be a National Orgasm Day Sale landing page hitting the site soon. It’s a one-day sale, so I thought I’d tell you to mark your calendars now.

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder readers’ pick for casual connections

Tinder top pick for finding hookups

Hinge popular choice for regular meetups

If you can’t wait for the sale or you prefer something a little kinkier, Babeland is currently offering up to 50% off BDSM and kink products (handcuffs, restraints, and the like) now through July 31. There are also a ton of vibrators on sale right now, including The One Le’Moan, which is a knockoff of the internet-famous Hello Nancy Lem. And, if you use the code GETHOT at checkout, it’ll get you an additional 10% off select items.

#Babeland #National #Orgasm #Day #Sale #sex #toys

DoorDash said it has received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA that enable it to delivery small packages via drone. Other companies to receive this designation include Alphabet’s Wing, Zipline, and Amazon.

Previously, DoorDash worked with Alphabet’s drone delivery division Wing on a number of pilots in places like Dallas-Fort Worth, Virginia, and Australia. Now the company says it will deploy its own drones, designed specifically for food delivery. The drones will be designed and assembled within the company’s DoorDash Labs division, which houses its robotics and AI teams responsible for building its Dot sidewalk delivery robots.

“We’re designing an aircraft purpose-built for the gaps we see in local commerce, and it complements the short- and long-range designs our partners are scaling,” the company said in a press release. “Our drone is also proudly American-designed and built, with the majority of components made right here in the U.S.” (To be sure, the vast majority of drones are manufactured in China.)

In addition, DoorDash says it will also build all the necessary ground-level infrastructure to enable restaurants to hand off their deliveries to drones. As seen with other drone delivery pilots, there is a complex system of structures and additional equipment that needs to be built on the ground to enable drones to pickup their payloads before embarking on their deliveries. And there are flight plans, airspace management, and drop-off logistics that needs to be established to track the drones in flight. DoorDash says its committed to building all that infrastructure itself.

“The aircraft is what everyone sees,” the company says. “The harder problem is the infrastructure and integration on the ground, and that’s our advantage. Solving hard physical-world problems for local businesses is our focus, from real-time inventory reconciliation to universal handoff systems for drive-throughs, rooftops, or merchant back doors. We are building that complete end-to-end system.”

DoorDash says drone delivery could solve the problem of midrange deliveries that still end up taking longer because couriers are hard to find. The company says more than 20 percent of its orders involve distances of three to five miles, but that those orders can take on average nearly 25 percent longer than shorter deliveries, largely because finding a courier takes longer for these mid-range trips.

“Routing mid-range deliveries to drones lets Dashers focus on the orders they often favor: shorter deliveries that can be done quickly, staying near a high concentration of merchants for optimal routing, and maximizing their earning potential by getting them to their next order faster,” the company says.

DoorDash didn’t reveal which markets it was targeting for its initial launch, noting that it would announce more details in the months to come.

#DoorDash #airborne #drone #delivery #divisionDrones,Food,News,Science,Tech,Transportation">DoorDash is going airborne with new drone delivery divisionDoorDash is launching a new drone delivery program called DoorDash Air. The largest food delivery app in the US said that it has approval from the Federal Aviation Administration that clears the way for drone delivery in the near future.DoorDash said it has received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA that enable it to delivery small packages via drone. Other companies to receive this designation include Alphabet’s Wing, Zipline, and Amazon.Previously, DoorDash worked with Alphabet’s drone delivery division Wing on a number of pilots in places like Dallas-Fort Worth, Virginia, and Australia. Now the company says it will deploy its own drones, designed specifically for food delivery. The drones will be designed and assembled within the company’s DoorDash Labs division, which houses its robotics and AI teams responsible for building its Dot sidewalk delivery robots.“We’re designing an aircraft purpose-built for the gaps we see in local commerce, and it complements the short- and long-range designs our partners are scaling,” the company said in a press release. “Our drone is also proudly American-designed and built, with the majority of components made right here in the U.S.” (To be sure, the vast majority of drones are manufactured in China.)In addition, DoorDash says it will also build all the necessary ground-level infrastructure to enable restaurants to hand off their deliveries to drones. As seen with other drone delivery pilots, there is a complex system of structures and additional equipment that needs to be built on the ground to enable drones to pickup their payloads before embarking on their deliveries. And there are flight plans, airspace management, and drop-off logistics that needs to be established to track the drones in flight. DoorDash says its committed to building all that infrastructure itself.“The aircraft is what everyone sees,” the company says. “The harder problem is the infrastructure and integration on the ground, and that’s our advantage. Solving hard physical-world problems for local businesses is our focus, from real-time inventory reconciliation to universal handoff systems for drive-throughs, rooftops, or merchant back doors. We are building that complete end-to-end system.”DoorDash says drone delivery could solve the problem of midrange deliveries that still end up taking longer because couriers are hard to find. The company says more than 20 percent of its orders involve distances of three to five miles, but that those orders can take on average nearly 25 percent longer than shorter deliveries, largely because finding a courier takes longer for these mid-range trips.“Routing mid-range deliveries to drones lets Dashers focus on the orders they often favor: shorter deliveries that can be done quickly, staying near a high concentration of merchants for optimal routing, and maximizing their earning potential by getting them to their next order faster,” the company says.DoorDash didn’t reveal which markets it was targeting for its initial launch, noting that it would announce more details in the months to come.#DoorDash #airborne #drone #delivery #divisionDrones,Food,News,Science,Tech,Transportation

Previously, DoorDash worked with Alphabet’s drone delivery division Wing on a number of pilots in places like Dallas-Fort Worth, Virginia, and Australia. Now the company says it will deploy its own drones, designed specifically for food delivery. The drones will be designed and assembled within the company’s DoorDash Labs division, which houses its robotics and AI teams responsible for building its Dot sidewalk delivery robots.

“We’re designing an aircraft purpose-built for the gaps we see in local commerce, and it complements the short- and long-range designs our partners are scaling,” the company said in a press release. “Our drone is also proudly American-designed and built, with the majority of components made right here in the U.S.” (To be sure, the vast majority of drones are manufactured in China.)

In addition, DoorDash says it will also build all the necessary ground-level infrastructure to enable restaurants to hand off their deliveries to drones. As seen with other drone delivery pilots, there is a complex system of structures and additional equipment that needs to be built on the ground to enable drones to pickup their payloads before embarking on their deliveries. And there are flight plans, airspace management, and drop-off logistics that needs to be established to track the drones in flight. DoorDash says its committed to building all that infrastructure itself.

“The aircraft is what everyone sees,” the company says. “The harder problem is the infrastructure and integration on the ground, and that’s our advantage. Solving hard physical-world problems for local businesses is our focus, from real-time inventory reconciliation to universal handoff systems for drive-throughs, rooftops, or merchant back doors. We are building that complete end-to-end system.”

DoorDash says drone delivery could solve the problem of midrange deliveries that still end up taking longer because couriers are hard to find. The company says more than 20 percent of its orders involve distances of three to five miles, but that those orders can take on average nearly 25 percent longer than shorter deliveries, largely because finding a courier takes longer for these mid-range trips.

“Routing mid-range deliveries to drones lets Dashers focus on the orders they often favor: shorter deliveries that can be done quickly, staying near a high concentration of merchants for optimal routing, and maximizing their earning potential by getting them to their next order faster,” the company says.

DoorDash didn’t reveal which markets it was targeting for its initial launch, noting that it would announce more details in the months to come.

#DoorDash #airborne #drone #delivery #divisionDrones,Food,News,Science,Tech,Transportation">DoorDash is going airborne with new drone delivery division

DoorDash is launching a new drone delivery program called DoorDash Air. The largest food delivery app in the US said that it has approval from the Federal Aviation Administration that clears the way for drone delivery in the near future.

DoorDash said it has received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA that enable it to delivery small packages via drone. Other companies to receive this designation include Alphabet’s Wing, Zipline, and Amazon.

Previously, DoorDash worked with Alphabet’s drone delivery division Wing on a number of pilots in places like Dallas-Fort Worth, Virginia, and Australia. Now the company says it will deploy its own drones, designed specifically for food delivery. The drones will be designed and assembled within the company’s DoorDash Labs division, which houses its robotics and AI teams responsible for building its Dot sidewalk delivery robots.

“We’re designing an aircraft purpose-built for the gaps we see in local commerce, and it complements the short- and long-range designs our partners are scaling,” the company said in a press release. “Our drone is also proudly American-designed and built, with the majority of components made right here in the U.S.” (To be sure, the vast majority of drones are manufactured in China.)

In addition, DoorDash says it will also build all the necessary ground-level infrastructure to enable restaurants to hand off their deliveries to drones. As seen with other drone delivery pilots, there is a complex system of structures and additional equipment that needs to be built on the ground to enable drones to pickup their payloads before embarking on their deliveries. And there are flight plans, airspace management, and drop-off logistics that needs to be established to track the drones in flight. DoorDash says its committed to building all that infrastructure itself.

“The aircraft is what everyone sees,” the company says. “The harder problem is the infrastructure and integration on the ground, and that’s our advantage. Solving hard physical-world problems for local businesses is our focus, from real-time inventory reconciliation to universal handoff systems for drive-throughs, rooftops, or merchant back doors. We are building that complete end-to-end system.”

DoorDash says drone delivery could solve the problem of midrange deliveries that still end up taking longer because couriers are hard to find. The company says more than 20 percent of its orders involve distances of three to five miles, but that those orders can take on average nearly 25 percent longer than shorter deliveries, largely because finding a courier takes longer for these mid-range trips.

“Routing mid-range deliveries to drones lets Dashers focus on the orders they often favor: shorter deliveries that can be done quickly, staying near a high concentration of merchants for optimal routing, and maximizing their earning potential by getting them to their next order faster,” the company says.

DoorDash didn’t reveal which markets it was targeting for its initial launch, noting that it would announce more details in the months to come.

#DoorDash #airborne #drone #delivery #divisionDrones,Food,News,Science,Tech,Transportation

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