The Blob

Krafft Ehricke

This is Hugh Mann, outlaw science and engineering desperado, reporting live from the Kennedy Space Center, on Earth, where a large party of space and rocket geeks, assorted internet kooks, a few legacy usenet gurus with their extensive entourages of science groupies and bodyguards, and I think I see a couple of Air Force and Marine generals in there as well, have convened in the visitor center for the sole purpose of drinking beer and smoking cigars and reminiscing about the ‘old days’, while honoring the memory of Krafft Ehricke. What we have here representing the American space advocacy community is nothing less but the complete spectrum of tech nerdiness, all now well on their way to states of slight inebriation and fraternal friendship. The room is abuzz in conversation and camaraderie, most of it is focused in  astonishment, wonder and total amazement, indeed almost the celebration of a recently released NASA Langley request for information.

Known only as SACD-1, this obscure and easily overlooked solicitation and NASA request for information is absolutely unique among recent federal requests, in that is has no identification number whatsoever, makes no promises, while  avoiding completely any hint of any responsibilities, and only makes the most vague requests, while simultaneously asking the potential respondent to reveal their most deeply held operational secrets, and also while you’re at it, please double check our math, for free, thanks a million or two.

Yes folks, the kooks and nuts and space cadets have won the battle of the minds. It’s going to be a wild party here tonight, so if you will excuse me, I think I see Lisa Nowak.