Japan Launches First GPS Satellite (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System "MICHIBIKI")

Japan is ready to implement its version of the sky spy to track, trace and database. The goal of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite "MICHIBIKI" (QZSS) is to deploy three satellites in orbit so as to always have one flying near the zenith over Japan. By doing so, the system can provide a highly accurate satellite positioning service covering close to 100% of Japan even in urban canyons and mountainous areas.

If you want to read more on the QZSS, please click here or the pretty picture above.

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Launch Result of the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite 'MICHIBIKI' by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18
September 11, 2010 (JST)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite System "MICHIBIKI" by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18) at 8:17:00 p.m. on September 11, 2010 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center.

The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 28 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the MICHIBIKI was confirmed.

We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch of the H-IIA F18.

At the time of the launch, the weather was fine, a wind speed was 3.7 meters/second from the west-south-west and the temperature was 26.0 degrees Celsius.

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(Reference)

H-IIA F18 Flight Sequence

EVENT	ACTUAL*1	ESTIMATED*2
Lift off	00 min 00 sec	00 min 00 sec
Solid rocket boosters (SRB-A) burnout*3	01 min 33 sec	01 min 38 sec
Solid rocket boosters (SRB-A) jettison*4	01 min 47 sec	01 min 48 sec
Payload fairing jettison	04 min 18 sec	04 min 12 sec
First stage/Main engine cutoff (MECO)	06 min 42 sec	06 min 37 sec
First and second stages separation	06 min 50 sec	06 min 45 sec
Second stage engine first ignition (SEIG1)	06 min 59 sec	06 min 51 sec
Second stage engine first cutoff (SECO1)	12 min 36 sec	12 min 34 sec
Second stage engine second ignition (SEIG2)	24 min 43 sec	24 min 36 sec
Second stage engine second cutoff (SECO2)	27 min 36 sec	27 min 35 sec
MICHIBIKI separation	28 min 27 sec	28 min 25 sec

*1 Quick report values before detailed data evaluation.
*2 The estimated values in this chart incorporate actually measured data from the engine performance tests of the F18 engines; therefore some of them may be different from the values in the Launch Plan.
*3 At the time when the combustion chamber pressure was at the maximum value of 2%.
*4 Thrust strut cutting

Nearly 60% of Canadians Are Reportedly Living Paycheck to Paycheck!

While it is scary to hear that 3 out of 5 Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck according to the Canadian Payroll Association, it is not surprising. I wonder what this statistic is in the United States of America. I would imagine that the percentage is the same, if not greater.

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Majority of Canadian employees living paycheque to paycheque, not saving enough for retirement. Younger workers and single parents having most trouble making ends meet.

TORONTO, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Results from a new nationwide survey show that a majority of working Canadians are cash-strapped and have little ability to put money away for their retirement.

According to the 2009 National Payroll Week Employee Survey, conducted by the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) and released today, 59% of Canadian employees report they would have trouble making ends meet if their paycheque was delayed by even one week (emphasis added).

"We were shocked by that number. So many Canadians are now living so close to the line that if they miss a single paycheque, the majority will find themselves in financial difficulty," says Janice MacLellan, Chairman of the CPA.

Financial experts recommend that people keep emergency funds totaling approximately three months of expenses (rent, mortgage, bills, groceries, etc.).

By age group, the younger workforce is feeling the greatest pinch, with 45% of those aged 18-34 saying it would be difficult or very difficult for them to meet their current financial obligations if a paycheque were delayed, and a further 21% stating that it would be somewhat difficult. By household, the situation is most precarious for single parents, with 72% saying they would have some trouble making ends meet if their pay were delayed.

The survey also found that 50% of Canadian workers are unable to save more than 5% of their net pay for retirement. Financial experts generally recommend a retirement savings rate of about 10%.

"Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque, and there's precious little left that they can put away for retirement," notes Patrick Culhane, CPA's President and CEO.

About one-third of Canadian workers say they have been trying to save more money than a year ago because of the economic uncertainty but have been unable to do so. Another 42% say they aren't even attempting to save additional funds. Yet, the majority (52%) feels they'll need between $750,000 and $3 million to live comfortably in retirement.

Those finding it most difficult to put money aside are single parents, with 65% saying they're saving only 5% or less of their net pay.

A majority of Canadians (70%) say their first priority if they were to win $1 million in the lottery would be to pay off their debt, followed by contributing as much as possible toward retirement (35%) and investing (30%) as the next priorities.

Of all regions, Quebecers would be more likely to use some of their lottery winnings to have a party (7%) than people living elsewhere in Canada (3%). Maritimers would be more likely to share their lottery winnings with family members (37%) than would the rest of the country (26%).

Cash is king for Canadians when it comes to remuneration. A whopping 65% of those who responded said it's more important that they receive higher wages from their employer, compared to better health benefits (25%), and education funding (10%).

There was also some optimism in the survey: 66% of respondents believe that the economy in their town or city will improve and most believe they'll receive modest pay increases over the next year.

Over 2,800 employees from across the country participated in the survey. This survey is consistent with a margin of error of 2.3%, 19 times out of 20.

About the CPA:

Payroll professionals in 1.5 million organizations across Canada are responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate payment of $730 billion in wages and taxable benefits, $230 billion in statutory remittances to the federal and provincial governments and $80 billion in health and retirement premiums, while complying with more than 185 legislative requirements. The Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) has influenced the payroll compliance practices and processes of hundreds of thousands of employers since 1978. As the authoritative source of Canadian payroll knowledge, the CPA affects the legislative processes and practices of payroll service and software providers, as well as hundreds of thousands of small, medium and large employers. National Payroll Week (September 14-18) recognizes the accomplishments of payroll professionals and the CPA by building greater awareness of the size and scope of payroll and its impact on employers, employees and government across Canada.

For further information: Rachel Sa, PR POST, (416) 777-0368, rachel@prpost.ca

Debtor Prisons Are Unconstitutional in State of Kansas

I don't live in Kansas nor have I ever been to Kansas. However, if you are reading my blog from Kansas, this story's for you (especially if you are in debt).

Per Section § 16 of the Kansas Bill of Rights:

[N]o person shall be imprisoned for debt, except in cases of fraud.

Source: State Library of Kansas

U.S. Patent for Chemtrails (Stratospheric Welsbach Seeding for Reduction of Global Warming - #5,003,186)

Click here if you cannot view the patent link above.

Will Vernor vs. Autodesk Ruling End First Sale Doctrine Defense in Copyright Law?

Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc. (The End of the First Sale Doctrine?)

The above ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal is attached above. The Court ruled that the first sale defense in copyright law is not available to licensees of copyrighted works. This ruling should not present any issue with software, because software licenses typically limit what end users can do with the software in terms of transfers and re-sales. However, I need to further review the Court's opinion to see if the ruling is limited to software or if the ruling applies to other copyrightable materials such as books, DVDs and toys.

The first-sale doctrine is an affirmative defense to copyright infringement that allows legitimate owners of copies of copyrighted works to resell those copies. That defense, the court said, is “unavailable to those who are only licensed to use their copies of copyrighted works.”

The 3-0 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, if it stands, means copyright owners may prohibit the resale of their wares by inserting clauses in their sales agreements.

Source: Wired