I'm a NASA kid originally from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo. My family worked for NASA and/or their contractors, and I watched it all as a kid. And what kid doesn't like rockets?
Currently, I am an IT engineer, a recovered R&D scientist that spent time in laser metrology, fiber optic applications and also lightning protection. I'm also a photographer, a writer and a bad musician.
My favorite things are space, boating, sports, music and traveling. You can find me on Twitter as @TheOldManPar.
The measles virus under a microscope. It’s the most contagious infectious disease known to humans Sanofi Pasteur via Flickr Creative Commons
A high-school student in Miami has tested positive for measles amid a measles outbreak now affecting nine states. So far, 164 cases have been reported, with one death as a result.
Wekiwa Springs State Park. Courtesy Florida State Parks
Visitors to Wekiwa Springs State Park will soon need to plan ahead, as Florida State Parks is launching a reservation-based pilot program aimed at reducing long entrance lines and traffic congestion at the popular Orlando-area swimming hole.
SpaceX released this rendering of its Starship facility at Kennedy Space Center on March 3, 2025
SpaceX announced today that it is expanding its Starship operations in Florida and will be bringing Starship production and launch capabilities to the Space Coast.
“Really big things are coming to Florida!!!!” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell on the X platform today. She’s not kidding.
A new survey by Uplevyl, an Austin-based company, highlights a growing trend of women disengaging from major social media platforms due to concerns over misinformation, harassment, security, and mental health impacts.
Florida’s vibrant culture, picturesque landscapes, and unique quirks have long made it a captivating setting for television series. From crime dramas to comedies, shows set in the Sunshine State offer viewers a diverse array of stories and characters. Below is a list of some of the best TV shows set in Florida, including information on where you can stream them. If you have one you think we missed, please add it in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
A rum-runner’s fast boat after being captured and converted into a US Coast Guard boat.
When one thinks of moonshining — making illegal liquor — more often than not an image of the Appalachian mountains is the first thing that comes to mind. While it’s true that the hollers and hilltops of North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky were hotbeds of moonshining, there was also a great deal of activity here in the Sunshine State, the effects of which can be felt even today.
Florida’s relationship with moonshine and bootlegging is as rich and complex as the state’s vast, varied landscape. From the early days of the Prohibition era to the modern revival of craft distilleries paying homage to illegal whiskey-making traditions, the Sunshine State has long been home to an underground economy of illicit liquor production. Florida’s dense swamps, rural backroads, and expansive coastline provided the perfect conditions for moonshiners and smugglers to thrive both then and now. While often romanticized in popular culture, the business of illegal alcohol in Florida was fraught with danger, ingenuity, and ongoing battles between outlaws and law enforcement, some of which continues even today.
Re-entry path posted by Dr. Jonathon McDowell on X.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2025
The second stage from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 used to launch Starlink 11-4 from Vandenberg on February 1st has apparently re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, with parts of the spacecraft’s debris reaching the ground in Poland. Initially entering over the Irish Sea, the reentering body broke apart, and the debris path of the spacecraft continued over the UK, western European countries including Poland and Ukraine.
Parts of the rocket body, including a suspected pressure vessel, were found near Poznan, Poland today, prompting local investigations into the incident and public safety concerns.
At the time of this writing, SpaceX has not confirmed that the debris is theirs, but according to the FAA, the company is investigating the matter.
Snorkeling with Florida or West Indian manatee, Crystal River, Florida
From the “Things to Do in Florida” department – Crystal River, Florida, is known as one of the best places in the world to experience an up-close encounter with the gentle giants of the sea—manatees. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this charming coastal town to witness the slow-moving, curious creatures that have captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts and marine conservationists alike. As the only place in the United States where it is legal to interact with manatees in the water, Crystal River offers a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience, and one suited for the whole family.
A Texas judge has officially signed off and approved a special election to decide if Starbase will be allowed to incorporate as a municipality. Starbase is, of course, the site of SpaceX’s Starship development, manufacturing and launch facilities.
