Tag: remembering
Remembering Virginia Norwood, the ‘mother’ of NASA’s Landsat program
If you haven’t heard of Virginia Norwood, it’s about time you did. An aerospace pioneer whose career would have been historic even without its undercurrent of triumph over misogynistic discrimination, she invented the Landsat satellite program that monitors the Earth’s surface today. Norwood passed away on March 27th at the age of 96, as reported by NASA and The New York Times.
She achieved all this despite significant pushback from the male-dominated industry before and after her rise. Despite her obvious talent, numerous employers declined to hire her after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For example, Sikorsky Aircraft told her they would never pay her requested salary, equivalent to the lowest rank in the civil service. Another food lab she applied for asked her to promise not to get pregnant as a condition of her employment. (She withdrew her application.) Finally, the gun manufacturer Remington appreciated her “brilliant” ideas in an interview but told her they were hiring a man instead.
Her career finally progressed after landing jobs with the US Army Signal Corps Laboratories (where she designed a radar reflector for weather balloons) and Sylvania Electronic Defense Labs (where she set up the company’s first antenna lab). Norwood began working in the 1950s as one of a small group of women at Hughes Aircraft Company, where she gained a reputation as a resourceful problem-solver. “She said, ‘I was kind of known as the person who could solve impossible problems,’” her daughter, Naomi Norwood, told NASA. “So people would bring things to her, even pieces of other projects.”
In the late 1960s, the director of the Geological Survey wanted to take photographs of the Earth from space to help manage land resources; partnering with NASA, a plan was hatched to send satellites into space. Then working on an advanced design team in Hughes’ space and communications division, Norwood formed the idea that would define her legacy. She gathered feedback from agriculture, meteorology and geology experts to develop a scanner to record different light and energy spectra. Although it used existing technology made for (lower-altitude) agricultural observations, she adapted the tech to meet the Geological Survey’s and NASA’s goals.
However, she faced numerous obstacles in securing a spot for her Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) on the launch satellite. It was already hauling an enormous three-camera system developed by RCA using television tube technology, which the agencies viewed as the primary imaging source. To get the MSS onboard, Norwood was tasked with scaling back its size to no more than 100 lbs, a significant downsizing; the RCA system took up most of the satellite’s 4,000 lb. payload.
She reduced the device to recording only four energy bands (down from its original seven) to ensure it would make the trip as a secondary measurement system. The satellite launched on July 23rd, 1972, and the MSS captured its first images — of Oklahoma’s Ouachita Mountains — two days later. The results exceeded all expectations, forcing a quick reevaluation of the satellite payload’s hierarchy. Norwood’s system performed better and was more reliable than the clunky RCA project, which caused power surges and had to be shut down for good two weeks into the mission.
Landsat quickly became the de facto method of surveying the Earth’s surface. Norwood continued to improve the system, leading the development of Landsat 2, 3, 4 and 5. Landsat 8 and 9, the current versions monitoring the effects of climate change today, are still based on her initial concept. Her other projects included leading the microwave group in Hughes Aircraft’s missile lab and designing the ground-control communications equipment for NASA’s Surveyor lunar lander.
She reportedly had no issue with the “the mother of Landsat” moniker her peers gave her. “Yes, I like it, and it’s apt,” she said. “I created it, I birthed it, and I fought for it.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/remembering-virginia-norwood-the-mother-of-nasas-landsat-program-213705046.html?src=rss
Remembering Virginia Norwood, the ‘mother’ of NASA’s Landsat program
If you haven’t heard of Virginia Norwood, it’s about time you did. An aerospace pioneer whose career would have been historic even without its undercurrent of triumph over misogynistic discrimination, she invented the Landsat satellite program that monitors the Earth’s surface today. Norwood passed away on March 27th at the age of 96, as reported by NASA and The New York Times.
She achieved all this despite significant pushback from the male-dominated industry before and after her rise. Despite her obvious talent, numerous employers declined to hire her after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For example, Sikorsky Aircraft told her they would never pay her requested salary, equivalent to the lowest rank in the civil service. Another food lab she applied for asked her to promise not to get pregnant as a condition of her employment. (She withdrew her application.) Finally, the gun manufacturer Remington appreciated her “brilliant” ideas in an interview but told her they were hiring a man instead.
Her career finally progressed after landing jobs with the US Army Signal Corps Laboratories (where she designed a radar reflector for weather balloons) and Sylvania Electronic Defense Labs (where she set up the company’s first antenna lab). Norwood began working in the 1950s as one of a small group of women at Hughes Aircraft Company, where she gained a reputation as a resourceful problem-solver. “She said, ‘I was kind of known as the person who could solve impossible problems,’” her daughter, Naomi Norwood, told NASA. “So people would bring things to her, even pieces of other projects.”
In the late 1960s, the director of the Geological Survey wanted to take photographs of the Earth from space to help manage land resources; partnering with NASA, a plan was hatched to send satellites into space. Then working on an advanced design team in Hughes’ space and communications division, Norwood formed the idea that would define her legacy. She gathered feedback from agriculture, meteorology and geology experts to develop a scanner to record different light and energy spectra. Although it used existing technology made for (lower-altitude) agricultural observations, she adapted the tech to meet the Geological Survey’s and NASA’s goals.
However, she faced numerous obstacles in securing a spot for her Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) on the launch satellite. It was already hauling an enormous three-camera system developed by RCA using television tube technology, which the agencies viewed as the primary imaging source. To get the MSS onboard, Norwood was tasked with scaling back its size to no more than 100 lbs, a significant downsizing; the RCA system took up most of the satellite’s 4,000 lb. payload.
She reduced the device to recording only four energy bands (down from its original seven) to ensure it would make the trip as a secondary measurement system. The satellite launched on July 23rd, 1972, and the MSS captured its first images — of Oklahoma’s Ouachita Mountains — two days later. The results exceeded all expectations, forcing a quick reevaluation of the satellite payload’s hierarchy. Norwood’s system performed better and was more reliable than the clunky RCA project, which caused power surges and had to be shut down for good two weeks into the mission.
Landsat quickly became the de facto method of surveying the Earth’s surface. Norwood continued to improve the system, leading the development of Landsat 2, 3, 4 and 5. Landsat 8 and 9, the current versions monitoring the effects of climate change today, are still based on her initial concept. Her other projects included leading the microwave group in Hughes Aircraft’s missile lab and designing the ground-control communications equipment for NASA’s Surveyor lunar lander.
She reportedly had no issue with the “the mother of Landsat” moniker her peers gave her. “Yes, I like it, and it’s apt,” she said. “I created it, I birthed it, and I fought for it.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/remembering-virginia-norwood-the-mother-of-nasas-landsat-program-213705046.html?src=rss
Remembering Logan Roy: An obituary for ‘Succession’s CEO and family man
Succession‘s Logan Roy (Brian Cox) has died. The founder and CEO of Waystar Royco passed away on a flight to meet with GoJo CEO Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård), which he chose to prioritize over the wedding of his eldest son Connor (Alan Ruck).
A Rupert Murdoch-meets-King Lear type, Logan was a titan of media, a ferocious businessman, and creator of beloved game Boar on the Floor. But while he died a billionaire, he would be the first to remind you that he came from humble beginnings.
Born in 1938 in Dundee, Scotland — the “North Bank” as son Kendall (Jeremy Strong) described in his infamous rap, “L to the OG” — Logan Roy built media conglomerate Waystar Royco from the ground up. The company is known for its flagship network ATN, which is known in turn for employing controversial anchors like Mark Ravenhead (Zack Robidas), who may or may not be a Nazi. (Signs like reading Mein Kampf multiple times point to “probably a Nazi.”) Waystar’s cruises division was also the subject of Succession scandal, as the surfacing of sexual assault allegations led to employees of Waystar Royco testifying before Congress.
A friend of many high-profile figures, including presidents, Logan weathered several such scandals throughout his time as CEO. He also survived multiple attempts to take over Waystar, including one brought about by his Number One Boy, Kendall.
To say Kendall and Logan’s relationship was “complicated” would be an understatement. Logan blackmailed Kendall over his manslaughter, then attempted to use Kendall as a sacrificial fall guy for Waystar’s wrongdoings. In turn, Kendall exposed his father in the subsequent press conference, calling him “a malignant presence, a bully, and a liar.” (This was not long after the aforementioned rap, in which Kendall said, “Since I stan Dad, I’m alive and well.”)
Credit: Peter Kramer/HBO
Their father-son connection was just one of many of Logan’s tumultuous personal relationships, such as his strained separation from his older brother Ewan (James Cromwell) and his three failed marriages. The first two ended in divorce, while the third, to Marcia (Hiam Abbass), was deeply fractured by the time of Logan’s death. Cheating on your wife with former PGM CEO Rhea Jarrell (Holly Hunter) and your current self-described “friend, assistant, and advisor” Kerry Castellabate (Zoe Winters) will do that!
But those relationships are just tiny spills compared to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch of mess that was how Logan treated his children Connor, Kendall, Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin). Logan’s many showdowns with Kendall made that relationship the most public, but he was withholding and abusive towards all his kids. He pitted them against each other for control of Waystar, neglected them when they did not interest him, and could always be counted on to call them “sicko” or some choice homophobic slur. At the Argestes retreat, Logan even slapped Roman. Himself a victim of abuse at the hands of his Uncle Noah, Logan continued that vicious cycle right to the end of his life.
Whatever love Logan failed to show his kids, he showed to his business. Even as he sold Waystar to GoJo, he demanded to remain in control of ATN. In the days before the deal was set to go through, he moseyed terrifyingly around the ATN newsroom like a hitman Santa Clause before delivering a rousing speech about destroying the competition. “This is not the end,” he told his fired-up employees as they cheered his name. But the world had other plans for him.
The loss of Logan Roy — and Brian Cox’s brilliantly blustery performance — will no doubt leave a gaping hole in our Sunday night viewing, just as it will leave a hole in the hearts of his children and a vacancy at the very top of Waystar’s corporate ladder. But before we turn to wondering about who will succeed the late Logan, join me in wishing the OG himself farewell with his two favorite words. You know exactly which ones I’m talking about.
Succession is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes airing at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
Remembering David Berman as American Water approaches 25
Rob Hughes takes a look at the idiosyncratic life and work of a tragic genius David Berman as American Water – the first great masterpiece by his band Silver Jews – turns 25.
The post Remembering David Berman as American Water approaches 25 appeared first on UNCUT.
Remembering Ivor Cutler, the man too strange to be anyone’s pet eccentric
Celebrating the centenary of canny Scots poet and much-loved indie touchstone Ivor Cutler
The post Remembering Ivor Cutler, the man too strange to be anyone’s pet eccentric appeared first on UNCUT.
Remembering Apple CEO Steve Jobs on His Birthday
Jobs founded Apple alongside Steve Wozniak in 1976, launching the Apple-1 that would revolutionize the personal computer. The Apple II followed, as did the Lisa, the Macintosh, and other early machines that defined Apple at the time. Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985 and founded NeXT, but Apple floundered without him.
Apple purchased NeXT in 1997 to bring Jobs back on board, and he worked his magic once again, overseeing the launch of the iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iMac, and tons more, along with services that include iTunes and the App Store. Jobs oversaw the debut of Apple’s most popular devices, and his passion and drive for perfection continue to shape Apple even today.
Apple CEO Tim Cook often says that Jobs’ DNA, including his taste, thinking, dedication to hard work, and lust for innovation will always be “the foundation of Apple.” Jobs has touched innumerable lives and there is no Apple product on the market today that was not influenced by his philosophies.
The iPhone, iPad, and Mac lines continue to be incredibly popular with more than two billion active devices worldwide, and Cook has built on Jobs’ legacy with new products like the AirPods, Apple Watch, and even the AR/VR headset expected later this year.
MacRumors would not be here today without Jobs and the company that he built, so it is fitting that MacRumors shares a birthday with the Apple founder. MacRumors was created on February 24, 2000, by Arnold Kim, and 23 years later, it continues to be the number one Apple news site.
We here at MacRumors are grateful to all of our dedicated readers, enthusiastic community members, and volunteers, and we look forward to bringing you the best Apple news and rumors each and every day.
This article, “Remembering Apple CEO Steve Jobs on His Birthday” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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