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[MonkeyHead]

NASA tests a 3D printed rocket. Apparently it took 33% of the time to make compared to traditional methods, at 70% of the cost. This clearly bodes well for reducing the cost of space exploration, especially if the economic exploitation of space is a realistic aspiration.

[10ebbor10]

It's only a part of engine, really.

[MaximumZero]

It's only a part of engine, really.

Still, that's a good chunk of time and money. Capitalism, hoooooo!

[Sheb]

Actually, rockets, being precision machine that aren't usually mass-produced are prime targets for 3D printing.

[DWC]

They just printed out a 'rocket engine injector' which is just a plate with holes in it and no moving parts.

Still 3d printing does seem like a good idea for individual parts for complex, non-mass produced things that don't have parts commonality. Rockets and satellites and other unique items that are built individually. Too bad for the machinists and craftsmen making these parts before.

[MaximumZero]

They just printed out a 'rocket engine injector' which is just a plate with holes in it and no moving parts.

Still 3d printing does seem like a good idea for individual parts for complex, non-mass produced things that don't have parts commonality. Rockets and satellites and other unique items that are built individually. Too bad for the machinists and craftsmen making these parts before.

Too bad for those telephone operators. Unfortunately, paradigm shifts in careers are a byproduct of technology advancement. Hey, before too long, none of us will have to work and we can all spend time doing things we like instead, like making cool stuff, performing ‼science‼, and playing Dwarf Fortress.

The robots will do all the sucky work. If they don't like it, they can build more robots to do sucky work.

[Scoops Novel]

Our magnificent efficient overlords will certainly feed us .

[Descan]

Our magnificent efficient overlords will certainly feed us .

There is the problem of the historical work-to-live paradigm being incredibly stupid even today, let alone in 20-40 years.

[Scoops Novel]

Our magnificent efficient overlords will certainly feed us .

There is the problem of the historical work-to-live paradigm being incredibly stupid even today, let alone in 20-40 years.

Maybe space investment will be a good thing when this revolution comes, eh? I liked MAD. It had little leeway.

By the way, you guys might like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BY72B-vyvI. You'll love the bit with Darpa's thinking cap.

[DWC]

Personally, I can't wait until technology opens up new job opportunities, like Space Trucker.

http://gigaom.com/2013/07/05/students-in-the-netherlands-unveil-a-solar-powered-family-car/

Heard about this on NPR today. They produced a solar-powered car that can not only haul around 4 people, but it can be plugged into the power grid when it's parked and can actually provide more energy to the grid then it'd consume while driving over the course of a year (since most of the time a car is just sitting around parked somewhere anyways), giving you something like a negative fuel cost and makes electric cars look extravagantly wasteful.

Can't say it's the best looking car around though. It has to be aerodynamic and covered in solar panels so I guess there's no way around it.

[Lagslayer]

Personally, I can't wait until technology opens up new job opportunities, like Space Trucker.

http://gigaom.com/2013/07/05/students-in-the-netherlands-unveil-a-solar-powered-family-car/

Heard about this on NPR today. They produced a solar-powered car that can not only haul around 4 people, but it can be plugged into the power grid when it's parked and can actually provide more energy to the grid then it'd consume while driving over the course of a year (since most of the time a car is just sitting around parked somewhere anyways), giving you something like a negative fuel cost and makes electric cars look extravagantly wasteful.

Can't say it's the best looking car around though. It has to be aerodynamic and covered in solar panels so I guess there's no way around it.

Somewhat interesting. Looks kinda big, though.

[Sergarr]

Too ugly. Will not support.

[10ebbor10]

It's got that strange futuristic look from 20 years ago. Kinda like it

[DWC]

Too ugly. Will not support.

It's got that strange futuristic look from 20 years ago.

Well to be fair it was cobbled together by college students as a proof of concept.

[Scoops Novel]

How contentious is the paper pay-wall problem? I see it being consistently discussed and wonder whether a solution is expected, or otherwise just your thoughts.