io9: cnn

No More Space Porn on CNN

Annalee Newitz — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:40:00 PST

CNN just laid off its entire Space/Tech/Environment reporting unit. That means that one of the United States' biggest TV news sources thinks that space and the environment just aren't worth reporting on in any depth or with any consistency. Yes, we are officially grumpy about this. [via BoingBoing]

Bill Nye The Science Guy Tells Larry King He's All Alone

Meredith Woerner — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:10:00 PDT

Larry King let Bill Nye The Science Guy on his show to smack down conspiracy theorists who believe that Roswell was so much more than just a weather balloon. Read the transcript to see Nye trying to use logic on King's guests who firmly believe that Roswell is host to a plethora of government lies and cover-ups. Sadly, it doesn't actually sink in. [CNN and CNN Transcripts]

Don't Fear Our Falling Spy Satellite!

Charlie Jane Anders — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:15:30 PST

The Pentagon plans to fire a missile at a rogue U.S. spy satellite that threatens to crash to Earth in March. But don't panic: even without a missile strike, the chances of a huge chunk of spy-gear crashing on your head are fairly low, General James Cartwright just told CNN. Also, "the blogs" are wrong about the danger of classified info surviving the heat of reentry. The main reason a Navy ship will knock the thing outta the sky in the next week or so? The satellite's hydrazine fuel, which the military doesn't want coming back to Earth. Plus, target practice.