La. observatory tops 2016 stories

The first detection of gravitational waves from the crash of two black holes. The discovery of GW150914 was made by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), and serves as confirmation of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity (published 100 years ago). “I think we’re opening a window on the universe – a window of gravitational wave astronomy,” said David Reitze, executive director of the LIGO lab. The 2.5-mile-wide LIGO facilities near Hanford, Wash., and Livingston, La., use super-sensitive laser beams and reflectors to detect faint ripples in the fabric of space-time down to less than 1 percent of the width of a proton. Reusable spaceship: Amazon’s Blue Origin space venture made its first suborbital flight in November 2015, but it wasn’t until January 2016 that its New Shepard craft made a re-flight with the same hardware. The rocket retired in October after five successful flights. Drone deliveries: The FAA’s commercial drone regulations didn’t go far enough to usher in the age of widespread package deliveries, but Amazon started an experimental delivery system in the UK. Google’s Project Wing conducted its own experimental burrito delivery in Virginia; and a startup called Flirtey is delivering food and convenience-store items for 7-Eleven in a Reno, Nev., neighborhood. Juno reaches Jupiter: Mars focus: SpaceX’s Elon Musk shared his vision for sending 1 million settlers to Mars. If SpaceX holds to schedule, the preparatory robotic missions could begin in 2018. People could follow within a decade. Setbacks: The deaths of 95-year-old retired Marine Colonel and U.S. senator John Glenn, the first American astronaut to go into orbit; and 95-year-old Joe Sutter, Boeing’s “Father of the 747”. (Source: Geek Wire 12/22/16)