In Japanese, there are these things called kanji, or Chinese characters, that has various ways of reading them, but one would wonder who keeps adding new
ways of reading them...
Hey everyone, Tomeko here, how do you do?
These things called kanji are rather interesting, as there are officially set
(?) ways of reading them that you get taught at schools etc. and there are
other ways of reading them that aren't in text books, which I guess you could
think of as slang. For example, the kanji for 'Planet' or 'Earth' could be
informally be read as 'Star', or 'Space' could be read as 'Sky' etc. and what
is 'Sky' in Chinese is read as 'Heaven' in the Japanese kanji etc. which shows
that its interesting, but is also a pain to learn.
Anyway, I think I've dropped enough hints leading to today's topic, let's see
the things that leads us to 'Space'!
Space Shuttle
Orbiter
The representative spaceship that everyone are familiar with. A spaceship that
had been designed with return trip and reuse in mind, not just to be disposed
after use.
Something that is said to be the most complicated machinery man has ever
created or what not. It has left many achievements, but has also experienced
two big accidents, with the Challenger and the Colombia, making this a ship
that's full of dreams, but could also be dangerous.
There is talk that they will all be retiring in 2011, but if that happens, we
would have to fully rely on Soyuz of Russia etc. to contact the ISS
(International Space Station), so apparently there are suggestions for
postponing their retirement.
Anyway. The kit itself is something that's been around for a long time, a
classic.
The product name is Orbiter, but you can turn it into the Discovery, Atlantis,
and Endeavour etc. by decal. Its due to be re-released sometime this month, so
why not give it a go if you feel like building a plastic model kit of a
spaceship?
Spacecraft
Hayabusa
This had been widely discussed recently, the Hayabusa.
The last images of it as it entered earth's atmosphere, just before it fully
burned out was very touching.
It could be that its been talked about so much, but this item has been
repeating the process of going out of stock and getting restocked over and
over, but as of this moment in 21st of September, there aren't too many, but
still some stock left, so be quick if you missed out on it before.
Space Shuttle
Endeavour
Now this time its not an introduction of a plastic model kit, but a completed
product.
Its Chogokin, so it must have a pretty good feel of weight too.
By the way, this here......
it LIGHTS UP.
if you make your room dark and switch on its lights, it will intensify its
coolness!
I personally would want to get some dry ice to go with it too.
This "Chogokin for Adults" series by Bandai, its pricing is also very adulty
(?) as well.
(honestly, it might be very difficult to get for a child)
But here at Hobby Search, we are currently taking preorders for it at
25% OFF the retail price, with
the power of love, courage, and some business effort etc. so please take
advantage of this opportunity!
Oh yeah.
There were many items from the Hobby Show that had started reservations the
other day, and this one was also included as one of them.
Space Shuttle &
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble!!
The super ultra greatly high spec. telescope, which can apparently display the
vast space at super high resolution.
Apparently its able to observe with greater details, as it is not influenced by
the weather or the atmosphere etc. unlike on land.
Not to mention it is orbiting relatively close, at approx. 600km from the
surface of earth, enabling maintenance by dispatching people on space shuttle.
Achieving great astronomical discoveries over the 20 years since its launch,
and is still active, im sure you could say it's a workaholic.
Apparently the successor craft of the Hubble is currently under development,
but this one is to be set to orbit very far away from earth, so it seems that
it wont be possible to maintenance. I would expect it will be a high
performance craft, but the fact it won't be able to be recovered if something
goes wrong is a little worrisome.
(The Hubble also had the mirror distorted after its launch, and had great
repair job by astronauts sent out.)
Also, this is slightly related, Hasegawa has released this item to match the
Hubble!
Polarization
Finish Cobolt Blue - Yellow
It seems like a sub-series of the "_____ Finish" series, and apparently it will
make the model look fantastic if you use it on the solar panel parts.
I recall that the display of the Hologram Finish in the Spring Hobby Show was
absolutely beautiful, so I would love to see this one as well if its to be
displayed at the Hobby Show this time.
HTV (H-II Transfer
Vehicle)
If you were wondering what this cylindrical thing is, this is the supply ship
that transfers food and clothing, and experimental equipment etc. to the ISS
(International Space Station).
Being launched from Tanegashima Space Center with the H-IIB Rocket, and have a
rendezvous with the ISS.
Its not as exciting as the Hayabusa or the Hubble, but is the type of machine
that works hard back stage.
And this HTV, apparently its still seeking an alias 'til the end of this month,
so you could send them your wicked ideas!
Apparently the submitter of the selected name will be invited to the launch of
the HTV as a prize.
(btw, to me this HTV looks like a huge drink can... or is that just me...?)
So anyway.
There are many other space related model kits and completed items from various
companies. Tanks and cars are fun, but playing with these charming spaceships
could also be fun too.
Right, that's it for today!
See you next time, and thanks for reading our blog!
By Tomeko, who think the space photo of the Hubble is super.