Fifty years ago, the soviet union launched into space a 58.5 centimeters and 83 kilos shiny aluminum sphere equipped with 4 long antennas and 2 radio transceivers.
Sputnik-1 (Спутник-1 / Satellite-1), the first artificial satellite, had triggered what would be called later, "the US vs. USSR Space Race". It orbited 1440 times at 250 kms above Earth surface during 3 months transmitting radio signals on 20 & 40 MHz.
This single event launched new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. The Space Era was born.
At 2:56 UTC on July 21st 1969, six hours after landing (with less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining), Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong made his descent to the Moon's surface and spoke his famous line "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind"(audio link) . He was shortly joined by “Buzz” Aldrin saying, "Beautiful. Beautiful. Magnificent desolation". Neil A. Armstrong took the “Small Step” into our greater future when he stepped off the Lunar Module, named “Eagle,” onto the surface of the Moon, from which he could look up and see Earth in the heavens as no one had done before him.
The two astronauts spent 21 hours on the lunar surface and returned 46 pounds of lunar rocks. After their historic walks on the Moon, they successfully docked with the Command Module “Columbia,” in which Michael Collins was patiently orbiting the cold but no longer lifeless Moon"
Just landed in Hong Kong to visit Telecom World 2006. In the main hall, Telecom 2006 organization staff proposes a transport package for the whole week.
Good news !! but….
Purchase of the transport card "Telecom Connect" can only be made online. Telecom staff kindly indicates me were I could find an Internet cafe in case I wouldn't carry a computer with wireless card. If you're "Wi-Fi enabled", it's easy as HKIA & PCCW provide free Wi-Fi access at the airport. I find a place to seat down, connect to Internet and try to access the url printed on the flyer given by Telecom staff.
The printer url is www.itu/world2006, result: page not found as ITU website is www.itu.int. Donc correction and 40 seconds (sic!) later the ITU Telecom frontpage is displayed.
I find my way, to purchase this famous "Telecom Connect" card and a new surprise is waiting for me
A welcome message from the online payment site "paydollar.com" "Sorry! you cannot process with this application because of it does not support your browser type…." Super! am I the only one using Firefox in Hong Kong ?
So back to start with IExplorer (hope it supports IE7) and again 40 secs for the frontpage etc.. Finally, online purchase, confirmation by email etc…as usual. I can now go to the Telecom 2006 Redemption counter where guess what….
I'm asked to provide the printed receipt to get the card… as I'm not the only one not having the famous receipt, we are asked to fill up a form, to sign it, as well as the delivery log and after a last online check I finally got the Telecom Connect pass !!!
Time elapsed : 45 mins !
Going to MRT counter and buying the standard transport card must take at least 3 mins if you pay cash and 4:30 with a credit card.
In resume, not having the possibility to purchase directly Telecom Connect card at the Telecom counters is not exactely a good idea. Regarding the time needed to display Telecom 2006 fontpage, I hold my comments, as now with a broadband connection, it only takes 20 secs !
Fifty years ago, the soviet union launched into space a 58.5 centimeters and 83 kilos shiny aluminum sphere equipped with 4 long antennas and 2 radio transceivers.
Just landed in Hong Kong to visit 
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