Latest news with #KarmanLine
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
1st New Zealander reaches space on Blue Origin flight
May 31 (UPI) -- Blue Origin's 12th human spaceflight carried the first New Zealander into space and back on Saturday morning in West Texas. The flight carried six passengers beyond the Karman Line, which is the internationally established boundary between space and Earth's atmosphere at an elevation of 62 miles, reported. Among the passengers was Mark Rocket, who is an aerospace executive from Christchurch, New Zealand, and is that nation's first citizen to reach space. Rocket changed his surname many years ago in honor of his passion for space travel, TVNZ1 reported on May 22. "Ever since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated by space technology and space travel," he said. "We live in a solar system, which is vast; a galaxy, which is vast; and this incredible universe, which is just hard to imagine." Rocvket's fascination with space led to a career in aerospace, and before the flight he said he was looking forward to experiencing "3Gs of rocket-powered flight up to space." Rocket is the president of Aerospace New Zealand and ownsKea Aerospace, which is developing a solar-powered, unmanned aircraft capable of reaching the stratosphere to collect high-resolution data of the Earth below it. Other crew members The flight also carried K-12 STEM teacher Aymette Medina Jorge, former Panamanian ambassador to the United States Jaime Aleman and radiologist GretchenGreen into space, according to Blue Origin. Also aboard the spaceflight were businessman Jesse Williams and entrepreneur Paul Jeris. The six passengers were weightless for about three minutes while getting a unique view of the world from space. Upon landing back on Earth, Green called the experience "perfection." "There are very few things in life that were true perfection," Green told "When I looked out at space and back down to the Earth, [it] was perfect." 32nd successful spaceflight The spaceflight was the 32nd for Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin and its New Shepard program and launched at 8:39 a.m. CDT from Blue Origin's Launch Site One about 30 miles north of Van Horn near the U.S.-Mexico border. The New Shepard launch vehicle included the capsule that carried its passengers and a booster rocket. The capsule and booster rocket are reusable. The booster rocket separated from the capsule about 2.5 minutes into the flight, which allowed the capsule to continue its ascent into space before returning to Earth. The autonomous capsule used a propulsive system to slow its descent while making a vertical landing on a concrete pad near where it launched. New Shepard is named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space in 1961 and 10 years year was the fifth person to walk on the moon. The program is intended the ferry humans and scientific payloads into space. "We thank our customers for trusting us to give them the opportunity to appreciate Earth's fragility from above," said Phil Joyce, senior vice president of New Shepard. Joyce said the experience "truly transforms those who embark on it." Blue Origin's New Shepard program has carried 64 people into space and back, including singer Katy Perry and CBS broadcast Gayle King.
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Tomodachi gives Matamata trainer Andrew Scott huge milestone in Rotorua mud
A stronger and better version of Tomodachi returned to racing as a 4-year-old this season, collecting back-to-back wins at Tauranga and Ellerslie before flashing home from the back of the field for a close third in last month's Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m). Saturday brought a deserved black-type breakthrough. 'What a mare,' Scott said. 'It doesn't matter if it's quick ground or wet ground – she's just a really good racehorse, and she can only get better from here. 'Our concern coming into today was that the pace might not be quick enough for her to relax, but fortunately she did and then she had that kick in the straight. 'To get the big black type and a Group 3 win today is so valuable for the team at Pencarrow, and we still think it's all in front of her. We can start to get really serious with her next season. 'Her sectional times at Trentham last start were just off the charts. She has an exceptional turn of foot when she's on quick ground and has the opportunity to let down.' A big part of Saturday's success was jockey Joe Doyle, who got Tomodachi to settle into a good rhythm in third-last before saving crucial ground around the home turn. Tomodachi snuck through the inside and burst to the lead at the top of the straight. Bedtime Story emerged from the pack and chased hard through the last 200m, but Tomodachi was able to hold her out and win by a length and three-quarters. 'She's all class,' Doyle said. 'The track is in bits now and it's tough wherever you go, so I didn't see much point in going wide and spending more petrol than I needed to. 'She was on the bridle a little bit today, but looking at her previous races, I've seen her pull a lot harder than that. 'Going into next season, when she gets on a good track, she can run some savage splits. She's very high-class. All credit to Lance, Andrew and the owners.' Tomodachi became the seventh individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino, who has also been in the black-type spotlight this season through the deeds of Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hero Willydoit, Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) winner Torranzino and Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) victor Kadavar. The dam of Tomodachi is the High Chaparral mare Quintessentially, who herself won three races. Second dam Uberalles placed in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), while the third dam is the great Ethereal, whose four Group 1 wins included the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m). O'Sullivan and Scott have now won the Rotorua Stakes two years in a row, having taken out the 2024 edition with Karman Line. That mare was checked out of contention in the straight on Saturday, but stablemates Lux Libertas (third) and Kelly Coe (sixth) performed with plenty of merit. 'The team's run well,' Scott said. 'Lux Libertas was massive. She was held up behind them and just couldn't quite get to the right part of the track, but Warren [Kennedy] was really pleased with the way she just kept coming. Kelly Coe hit the line really well too.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Mobolade backs putting Karman Line to voters
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Monday, April 7, Mayor Yemi Mobolade released a statement in support of bringing the Karman Line Annexation decision to the voters rather than repealing the decision, saying it supports our democratic process. On Jan. 28, the City Council approved The Karman Line Annexation, which would make about 1,900 acres in El Paso County, west of Schriever Space Force Base, a part of Colorado Springs. On Feb. 26, a petition opposing the annexation was submitted to the City Clerk's Office with over 31,000 signatures, far beyond the required 18,696, requesting for the annexation to be put on a ballot for Colorado Springs citizens to decide. The petition cited concerns over issues such as water, housing needs, increased utility costs, and wildlife concerns, among others. Since then, allegations have been brought against the petition organizers, claiming that false information was used to convince voters to oppose the annexation and sign the petition. RELATED STORY: Karman Line letter claims petitioners lied to convince voters Mayor Mobolade's statement referenced the allegations, saying that special interest groups misled the community and weaponized the petition process, but that he supports bringing the annexation to the voters so that they have the chance to make a fully informed decision. On Tuesday, April 8, the City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to repeal the annexation or send it to a ballot. Read Mayor Mobolade's full statement below: Our country is founded on a democratic process that is central to the functioning of a representative government. It is upon us to always respect that process, and to recognize and call out any efforts to subvert that process or the will of the people. The Karman Line annexation was a transparent and thorough two-year process. This annexation was first recommended by Planning Commission, which is comprised of dedicated, unpaid volunteers who thoroughly reviewed the proposal in its entirety. It was then voted on and approved by City Council, who is elected by the people to oversee and vote on such issues. This was by no means a hasty decision. It was made after careful consideration, in-depth analysis of critical issues like water, utilities, and public safety, and meaningful public discourse to ensure we responsibly manage growth with a long-term mindset. Public safety agencies have also expressed support, and Colorado Springs Utilities, another key body involved in city infrastructure planning, has given its approval, assuring there is enough water to support future development. I cannot underscore enough that a rigorous review and democratic process was upheld. What unfolded after that was a misleading campaign sponsored by local special interest groups. They systematically worked to weaponize our democratic petition process by spreading misinformation, attempting to manipulate the facts, and in some cases, outright deceiving people. Now, on Tuesday, City Council once again faces an important decision regarding the Karman Line annexation. Councilmembers will have two choices. One, bring the Karman Line annexation to the ballot to let you decide. Or, two, repeal their decision to annex and, instead, allow local special interest groups who did not like the outcome to unfairly influence the future of our city's growth in place of you, the voters. I offer my full support to our City Council in reaffirming its previous decision and responding to the referenda requirements by sending the question to the voters. To me, this supports our democratic process. The strength of our democracy lies in the will of the people, and it is imperative that we protect and honor that process. As your Mayor, I stand firmly in support of upholding that commitment. I ran on ensuring every voice was represented. By now putting the Karman Line annexation to the ballot, we give a voice to all residents, not just to those who signed the petitions and who may or may not have understood the full proposal. The path forward is clear. We must stand up for what is right. This is true whether or not the final decision is what we want – the end cannot justify the means. We must now and always protect the democratic values and integrity that our country was built on and ensure that Colorado Springs evolves into a city for the many, not just the few. Onward and upward, Mayor Yemi Mobolade Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Karman Line letter claims petitioners lied to convince voters
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A letter submitted in early March is requesting that the 4th Judicial District Attorney investigate a series of election law violations after petitioners allegedly lied to convince voters to oppose the Karman Line annexation. A representative with Norris Ranch Joint Development LLC, the firm that requested the annexation, submitted a letter on Thursday, March 6 requesting District Attorney Michael Allen to investigate several violations the petitioners made. The letter came a week after the petition, with over 31,000 signatures, was submitted on Feb. 26. According to the letter FOX21 News received, the petitioners' efforts to mislead and manipulate the election under C.R.S. 1-13-109(1) and (2) should 'not be tolerated.' The election offense, 1-12-109, says no person should make false or reckless statements related to candidates or questions submitted to electors. 'Organizers have spent nearly $250,000 to collect signatures and convince Colorado Springs' residents to vote for the referendum, and against the annexation,' the letter alleges. 'These efforts to convince voters to support a referendum amount to efforts 'designed to affect the vote' at an election.' The letter details various statements that petitioners made, and claims they are false. The letter lists alleged lies about water and the environment, about the developers, and about how the measure will help fix infrastructure. The letter further alleges that two organizations are behind the paid-off signatures: Colorado Dawn and Norwood Development Group. 'We are in receipt of a letter from the City of Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office that they have completed review of the petitions opposing the Karman Line annexation and will offer formal certification during Colorado Springs City Council's Work Session on Monday, March 24. We understand that if no protest is filed, City Council will take the next steps in the referendum process at the April 8 City Council meeting. We are very pleased to receive this update and are hopeful the City Council will honor the wishes of their constituents and oppose the Karman Line annexation. Residents from Colorado Springs and beyond have consistently expressed concerns regarding the strain on utilities, public safety and lack of water to support this flagpole annexation. City Council has a clear choice – respect the will of the people or continue to waste taxpayer dollars on a special election to decide on what we already know – the community is not in support of this project.' Dawn Shelstad, community organizer in opposition to the Karman Line annexation See the full list and letter here: 25.03.07-Election-ComplaintDownload 'Unfortunately, the petition circulators and those behind the referendum effort have consistently resorted to falsehoods in order to deceive and manipulate the electorate into voting against the annexation,' the letter states. 'I ask that you investigate this matter, determine those responsible for these corrupt practices, and take appropriate prosecutorial action.' Kate Singh, the Chief Communications Officer for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office told FOX21 News they had received the letter from Gessler regarding the concerns. 'As far as we are aware, no law enforcement investigation has been conducted into the concerns raised in that letter,' Singh told FOX21 News. The City of Colorado Springs is still within its 30-day limit to verify the signatures. FOX21 News reached out to Norwood Development Group for comment and will update this article once we receive it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Petition seeks to put Karman Line annexation on the ballot
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Following the City Council's approval of the Karman Line Annexation, some community members have filed a petition to oppose the vote. During the vote on Jan. 28, several community members spoke out, hoping to change the Colorado Springs City Council's mind before the vote. Some individuals who spoke expressed concerns about water, emergency services, animals, uncontrolled growth, and more. Karman Line Annexation approved The City Council voted 7-2 in favor of the annexation. The land would annex 1,900 acres located west of Schriever Space Force Base which is currently vacant. The developer said the project would take around 20 years to complete. Now, citizens are trying to oppose the vote once again. 'We feel their vote did not accurately reflect the will of the Colorado Springs Citizens,' the petition that surged online stated. 'For this reason and the key concerns below we have established a legal petition to garner 18,696 signatures to take this to a ballot for Colorado Springs citizens to decide.' According to the group, they would need 18,000 signatures or more by Thursday, Feb. 27 to put the question on the ballot this summer or get the City Council to defer their decision. The opposition gathers key concerns such as: Growth Water Increase in utility costs Housing need Emergency response concerns Underutilized existing resources Wildlife concern City Vision misalignment Urban enclave costs The petition claims that the City Council's approval also fails to meet annexation standards, as Colorado law requires annexations to demonstrate a 'community of interest' and meet a 25% standard of the property perimeter. 'Diagrams submitted for Karman Line suggest this threshold is not met, with only an estimated 15-20% contiguity,' the petition states. Petition organizers told FOX21 News they would be at different establishments around Colorado Springs gathering signatures. 'Flagpole annexations like Karman Line create the worst kind of urban sprawl, stretch municipal services, and prioritize short-term developer profits over long-term city planning,' according to the petition. FOX21 News reached out to City Council for comment but had not received a reply at the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
