LaVerne Andrews born 1911

The big sister of the Andrews Sisters, LaVerne Sophia, was born July 6, 1911.  She, Maxene and Patty brought their unique blend of tight harmonies to the universe in the 1930's-1940's, and are still influential today.

During World War II, they entertained troops all over the world, and were named the "Sweethearts of  Armed Forces Radio Service".

After the death of their parents, the sisters became distant from each other, fought and finally broke up in 1953.

LaVerne passed away from cancer May 8, 1967.

Their first big hit was Bei Mir Bist Du Schon in 1937.

Soyuz 21 to Salyut 5 launches 1976

Cosmonauts Boris Volynov (commander) and Vitaly Zholobov (flight engineer) blasted off from Baikonur July 6, 1976 in Soyuz 21 on their way to Salyut 5.  Their mission was scheduled to last from 54-66 days, but on August 24, it was announced their mission would end in 10 hours.

No official explanation has ever been found as to why the crew were recalled to Earth so soon.  The most likely scenario is an "acrid" odor detected on the space station.  Another explanation is Zholobov was in failing health (probably due to nitric acid leaking from the fuel tanks; or the crew did not follow their exercise program  and suffered from lack of sleep.

They boarded Soyuz 21 and attempted to detach from Salyut 4, but the mechanism failed to operate properly.  They received the first set of emergency instructions right before they lost contact with Russia, due to them moving behind the Earth.  Once they regained their signal, they received the emergency procedures and they were able to free themselves from Salyut 5.

Happy birthday, Tom Henricks, 4-time Shuttle astronaut!

Tom Henricks, born July 5, 1952 in Ohio, is a veteran of four Space Shuttle missions.  He served as a pilot on his first mission (STS-44)  on board the Atlantis in 1991.  He also served as pilot on his second mission (STS-55), on Columbia in 1993. His third mission (STS-70), he served as Commander on the Discovery, in 1995 and he was also commander on his fourth and last mission (STS-78) on Columbia in 1996.

He became the first person to log over 1000 hours as pilot/commander.

Mars Pathfinder Sojourner Lands on Mars 1997

The little probe that could, Mars Pathfinder Sojourner, landed on the Red Planet July 4, 1997.  Originally expected to operate for one week to at most one month, Sojourner surpassed all expectations and lasted three months, before contact was lost.

The rover was launched December 4, 1996, taking seven months to reach Mars.  It showed NASA's commitment to lower cost missions, for example, using air bags to land instead of thrusters.

Pruitt's EPA plan to ease methane releases gets shut down by DC Court

In another set-back to Scott Pruitt's EPA, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled 2-1 in favor of a lawsuit filed by the National Resources Defense Council and other agencies concerned with global and atmospheric pollution.  The EPA issued a "stay" of federal standards to reduce leaks of methane as well as other air pollutants from oil and gas wells and facilities.

Like the issue with the mercury releases, the stay was issued without any advance public notice, nor any opportunity for public comment, as required by law.  He also proposed to extend the stay for two years.  Methane and the other air pollutants can produce smog, cause cancer and can trigger asthma attacks.

The Clean Air Council, Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Integrity Project and Sierra Club joined NRDC in bringing the lawsuit against the EPA.

What justification could Pruitt have for suspending these poisons? Oh, right.

https://www.nrdc.org/media/2017/170703?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=tweet&utm_campaign=socialmedia

NASA confirms it is not hiding kidnapped children in slave camps on Mars

In an actual turn of events, NASA had to defend itself against claims that it kidnaps children and ships them to Mars on a 20-year ride, where they have no choice but to work as slaves.  Robert David Steele was a guest on Alex Jones Show and claimed:

“We actually believe that there is a colony on Mars that is populated by children who were kidnapped and sent into space on a 20-year ride.”

and this:

“So that once they get to Mars they have no alternative but to be slaves on the Mars colony.”

Naturally, NASA had to defend itself without cracking up in the middle of their statement.  And against this sort of inane drivel, that's not as easy as it sounds.  Alex Jones is also known for stating the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax and promoted the Pizzagate conspiracy.  Most of his elaborate conspiracy theories have been debunked, and that's easy to do.

The only thing moving right now on Mars are the Rovers, dust devils and occasionally, running water!  But even rocket scientists need a laugh every now and then.  You cannot make this shit up!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/07/01/no-alex-jones-nasa-is-not-hiding-kidnapped-children-on-mars-nasa-says/?utm_term=.e8b581d3ad70

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/210884/20170630/nasa-denies-conspiracy-theory-about-kidnapped-children-working-as-mars-colony-slaves.htm

Oklahoma Earthquakes: Blame man, not Mother Nature

NASA has turned its eyes in the sky earthward to study the rash of earthquakes that have rocked the Sooner State since 2009.  Their conclusions support the number of previous studies that link wastewater injections into porous geographical formations underground, i.e. human-induced activities, to earthquakes.

NASA's study focused on the largest earthquakes, the 5.7 magnitude near Prague in 2011 and the 5.8 magnitude near Pawnee, last September 3. Using their radar satellites allows them to see and study details of the earthquakes that were not previously matched and do not reach teh surface.

You can read the article below but the results of their study indicates "a human-induced earthquake resulting from wastewater injection, rather than a naturally caused quake".  The article opens with a statement saying "Oklahomans are no strangers to Mother Nature's whims" but as the article continues, it is clear Mother Nature has nothing to do with the Sooner State's earthquakes.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/sleuthing-for-seismic-answers-in-the-sooner-state