US Military's Next X-37B Space Plane Launch Faces New Delay

from space.com: The next launch of the U.S. Air Force's X-37B space plane, a robotic spacecraft used to fly classified payloads into Earth orbit, has been delayed until next month pending final approvals, SPACE.com has learned. The secretive X-37B space plane, an Orbital Test Vehicle that resembles a miniature space shuttle, is now expected to be boosted in early December by a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It marks the latest in a series of delays for the unmanned space plane. The mission, called OTV-3, had been pushed back from Oct. 25 to Nov. 13, and then to Nov. 27. "We are working toward a planning date for OTV of Dec. 11," United Launch Alliance spokeswoman Jessica Rye said in a message to SPACE.com yesterday (Nov. 20).

Drone Tech: Nano Drones And Switchblade

The Young Turks (TYT) webcast reports latest in drone tech.  TYT Host Cenk Uygur reveals 50 countries have drones and adds, "they are cheap!"   There's also new variant of formation-flying swarms of Nano drones. Pentagon funds 5.5 lb drone, Switchblade,  soldiers can carry in a backpack and deploy with guided missile precision!  Has CIA drone warfare opened a Pandora's box?  

A Dose Of Daily Science Fiction

 A dose of Daily Science Fiction (DSF) to make your day better!  DSF website greets visitors: "'Science Fiction' means—to us—everything found in the science fiction section of a bookstore, or at a science fiction convention, or amongst the winners of the Hugo awards given by the World Science Fiction Society. This includes the genres of science fiction (or sci-fi), fantasy, slipstream, alternative history, and even stories with lighter speculative elements. We hope you enjoy the broad range that SF has to offer."  "Sapience And Maternal Instincts" recommended as excellent short story - a thumbs up!

Ban ‘Killer Robots’ Before It’s Too Late

We must ban killer drones and other robotic systems before it's too late!  Human Rights Watch (HRW) recommended recently that governments, "...should pre-emptively ban fully autonomous weapons [picture, UK Taranis drone] because of the danger they pose to civilians in armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said..." A 50 page HRW report, “'Losing Humanity: The Case Against Killer Robots,' outlines concerns about these fully autonomous weapons, which would inherently lack human qualities that provide legal and non-legal checks on the killing of civilians. In addition, the obstacles to holding anyone accountable for harm caused by the weapons would weaken the law’s power to deter future violations...It is jointly published by Human Rights Watch and the Harvard Law School International Human Rights Clinic," informs Human Rights Watch website. It's, perhaps, most important question confronting human civilization. Mankind has reached the 1984 Terminator movie world of Cyberdyne and Skynet. You may drop below fold for three minute You Tube video, "Pull the Plug on Killer Robots."

Sci-Fi Short Weekend: 'The Chameleon'

"The Chameleon" provides fast paced hard hitting suspense in five minutes! "A hostile race of aliens has invaded Earth and the government fears that the aliens are modifying their DNA to pose as humans. When a military officer abducted months ago mysteriously reappears, his wife is called in to ask him questions only she would know to find out who or what he really is. Starring James C. Burns (Call of Duty: Black Ops). Based on a story by science fiction author Colin Harvey,"  supplies You Tube plot summary.  It's another excellent sci-fi short with a twist at the end!

Sci-Fi Short Weekend: 'The Gift'

An adrenaline rush Sci-Fi short film provides thrill of high speed chase! The plot of "The Gift" revolves around an enigmatic "unicorn device" that courier makes off with after slashing Russian aristocrat recipient's throat. The household robot gives chase to take possession of unicorn box, when hapless courier gets hit by a bus. Chase scene takes place when robot mounts motorcycle to flee Moscow city police on snowy deserted streets. You may discover fate of robot and the unicorn in less than five minutes!  Directed by Carl Rinsch, short sci-fi film delivers excellent cgi in condensed experience for quick adrenal fix!

Sci-Fi Short Weekend: 'Archetype'

"Archetype" appears to be successful short version of longer film as rights to short picked up by John Davis.  "RL7 is an eight-foot tall combat robot that goes on the run after malfunctioning with vivid memories of once being human. As its creators and the military close in, RL7 battles its way to uncovering the shocking truth behind its mysterious visions and past. Directed by Aaron Sims starring Robert Joy (Land of the Dead, CSI:NY) and David Anders (Heros, 24).," informs plot summary on You Tube.  It's well done and can't wait to see full feature!