Forget wars in the Middle East, nuclear confrontations in the Far East and post-Brexit/post-Trump economic armageddon in Europe and the USA, there could be a much more serious problem for the world to face. For while Santa (Father Christmas) may be bringing many children a new computer games console (Xbox/PS4/Nintendo etc), it might not actually work too well on Christmases to come.
This is because LEO communications satellite operator Globalstar is alleged by computer games console manufacturers (Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo etc) to be about to interfere with the reception of their various games machines, due to their terrestrial repeater system. Microsoft has formally appealed to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over Globalstar’s plan for a terrestrial Wi-Fi back-up to its satellite system in the 2.4 Ghz spectrum.
Mind you, if the FCC or the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) don’t manage to solve it, the kids could just play an old-school board game like Monopoly instead. But experience tells us that if a board game is involved, peace and goodwill to all men will definitely not break out on Christmas morning.
While the kids will get with electronic computer games as presents, your analogue-era correspondent usually gets an old school paper calendar during the Christmas period – either as a gift, or buying one in the New Year sales. Last year he got one with a famous tank on each month e.g. the M4 Sherman, the Centurion etc. Of course, whether it is a Sherman tank or some other amusement, you always need something to take your mind off work, even while walking on the Moon.
Apollo 12 astronauts, Pete Conrad and Alan Bean, were doing this when they discovered that their back-up crew had cheekily put in some pin-ups from the 1970 Playboy calendar onto their space suit cuff mounted mission notes. The surprise of seeing them caused the astronauts to burst out laughing with a bemused mission control not let in the joke until they returned to Earth.
By the way, to raise a festive smile, if nothing else, the Christmassy December photo featured the model Cynthia Myers wearing a festive Santa hat, a smile – and very little else. There were some other mission benefits for the astronauts. The improvised caption underneath also had some good points (of advice for the astronauts).
On that note, we at Seradata wish you all, a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy (and Prosperous) New Year.
