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I'm a bit behind the times but maybe there are people out there who still haven't heard (as if this won't be plastered all over the news).
First bit (older bit), NASA has been a bit more concrete on plans to send people back to the moon, to establish a more permanent colony (after the last one failed miserably) and eventually send humans to Mars (I assume at some point they will be brought back too). Word is they are doing their best to make it sound boring, but how can it not be thrilling? That thing, up in the sky, there will be people standing on it, walking around. Eating, drinking, looking back at us with telescopes. Having sex, no doubt. I wasn't even alive the last time anyone went to the Moon. I wonder what will be the content of the first lunar blog post?
Report: Good grief NASA's website is annoying to get information out of. But apparently the first manned flight goes to the Moon in 2014 at the latest. So... 8 years? And their new Orion vehicle going up no later than 2020. So what will the first few lots be in? Oh, it is the Orion that is launched no later than 2014 but not going to the Moon until 2020. I don't see anything about when they expect to be getting to Mars.
One complaint, one big complaint. NASA is not getting any extra funding to pursue these projects declared by Bush a few years ago so they are having to cut funds to it seem like just about every other project, probe and mission they have just to keep this and the International Space Station going. I would be unreservedly enthusiastic if this were not cutting into our ability to learn about the rest of the universe. Perhaps most importantly though, I may have to revise the story for Serial B if this keeps up.
Newer news, seems there is strong evidence of liquid water on Mars. Very strong, not quite conclusive. I'm swayed but I have nothing riding on it Sure wasn't expecting anything like this though, I had thought water on Mars was just wishful thinking.
And more distant planetary news, Centauri Dreams reports that COROT is ready for launch soon. Might not be too long before we find our first terrestrial planets beyond the solar system. 'Tis a good time to be alive.
First bit (older bit), NASA has been a bit more concrete on plans to send people back to the moon, to establish a more permanent colony (after the last one failed miserably) and eventually send humans to Mars (I assume at some point they will be brought back too). Word is they are doing their best to make it sound boring, but how can it not be thrilling? That thing, up in the sky, there will be people standing on it, walking around. Eating, drinking, looking back at us with telescopes. Having sex, no doubt. I wasn't even alive the last time anyone went to the Moon. I wonder what will be the content of the first lunar blog post?
Report: Good grief NASA's website is annoying to get information out of. But apparently the first manned flight goes to the Moon in 2014 at the latest. So... 8 years? And their new Orion vehicle going up no later than 2020. So what will the first few lots be in? Oh, it is the Orion that is launched no later than 2014 but not going to the Moon until 2020. I don't see anything about when they expect to be getting to Mars.
One complaint, one big complaint. NASA is not getting any extra funding to pursue these projects declared by Bush a few years ago so they are having to cut funds to it seem like just about every other project, probe and mission they have just to keep this and the International Space Station going. I would be unreservedly enthusiastic if this were not cutting into our ability to learn about the rest of the universe. Perhaps most importantly though, I may have to revise the story for Serial B if this keeps up.
Newer news, seems there is strong evidence of liquid water on Mars. Very strong, not quite conclusive. I'm swayed but I have nothing riding on it Sure wasn't expecting anything like this though, I had thought water on Mars was just wishful thinking.
And more distant planetary news, Centauri Dreams reports that COROT is ready for launch soon. Might not be too long before we find our first terrestrial planets beyond the solar system. 'Tis a good time to be alive.
