NASA ? Request for Information on Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) recently established the Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program (CRuSR) Office at Ames Research Center (ARC).
NASA recognizes the significant accomplishments of the commercial reusable suborbital spaceflight industry and is contemplating two significant procurement actions: 1) A potential procurement of reusable suborbital spaceflight services, and [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/2009/12/08/nasa-request-for-information-on-commercial-reusable-suborbital-research-program/

SpaceShipTwo Roll Out

On Monday 7th December Virgin Galactic unveiled SpaceShipTwo to the world at Mojave Spaceport, California. 800 press, future astronauts and VIP guests gathered in the desert for a press conference and to view the roll out of the world?s first commercial spaceline.
Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan led the press conference, special recognition went to [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/2009/12/08/spaceshiptwo-roll-out/

?Space Beer? Available for Purchase to 250 People

The wait is finally over for those who have been wanting to enjoy a tipple of Sapporo’s “Space Barley” beer, a beer brewed from space-grown barley. Until December 24th, Sapporo will have an online lottery for orders of a six-pack.
250 people will be chosen from the lottery, and allowed to purchase the beer. As [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/2009/12/08/space-beer-available-for-purchase-to-250-people/

I am leaving the JREF Presidency

It is with bittersweet feelings that I announce that as of January 1, 2010, I will no longer be President of the James Randi Educational Foundation. On that date, skeptic, podcaster, and all-around good guy D. J. Grothe will take the helm. The JREF has a press release online with more information.

This was a very difficult decision for me. But I’m leaving the Presidency so I can concentrate on some future TV projects I’ve been developing. This has been a dream of mine for more than a decade, and something I’ve worked on very hard, so it’s an opportunity I simply could not pass up. With that in mind, I discussed this with Randi and the other members of the JREF Board of Directors, and we all agreed it was for the best. Not to rationalize this too much, but if this does work out it means I’ll be able to promote skepticism, science, and critical thinking to a much larger audience. This will ultimately benefit the JREF itself, too.

I’m really happy D. J. accepted the role of President in my stead. He is a beloved member of the skeptical community. His podcast, Point of Inquiry, is among the best in the business. He is a thoughtful, intellectual, interesting, and warm person, and will be an outstanding example of leadership when he takes the JREF reins. With D. J. involved, the future of the JREF is stronger than ever.

And this isn’t to say I’m severing all ties with the JREF! Far from it. I strongly believe (if I may use that word) in the mission and goals of the Foundation, and I have no desire to just walk away. I’ll stay on in an informal capacity to advise, impart my rich wisdom, and tell Randi puns. You have to stick with your strengths.

And to belay the obvious question: I can’t disclose any more details about the TV stuff right now. Sorry, but I really can’t. Rules is rules. Trust me, when I have news I can report I’ll be singing it from the rooftops.

The past 15 months have been quite the whirlwind, what with TAM 7, TAM London, Randi’s health announcement, and so much more. The JREF stands solid and tall in the world of skepticism and critical thinking. Being a part of it, representing it, and working with Randi himself has been more than an honor. It’s been, well, amazing.

And finally, I want to thank everyone who has been involved with the JREF: the staff; the circle of magicians, scientists, and skeptics we contact for advice and help; the JREF Board of Directors for accepting me into the fold in the first place, and Randi his own self. Without him, it would just be the EF. And that’s just silly.

And, of course, the JREF community at large across the planet. You are the ones who have made us who we are: a global force of rationality and reason. You know as well as we do that the struggle against the forces of unreason will never end. Without your support, your energy, and your enthusiasm, our ability to stand up for sense and science would grind to a halt. Presidents will come and go, but you will always be there, and that means more to us — more to me — than can be said. Thank you all.

Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BadAstronomyBlog/~3/9tnA2bv8g1c/

Picture of the Day ? Active Soufriere Hills volcano

This picture of the active Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat Island was photographed on Oct. 11, 2009 by the Expedition 21 crew members onboard the International Space Station.
Meteorologists and other scientists note that this area is nearly always cloudy so it is considered rare when astronauts get good images of the plumes or volcanic [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/2009/12/06/picture-of-the-day-active-soufriere-hills-volcano/

LauncherOne: Virgin Galactic?s Satellite launcher project

We’re all excited about the launch of SpaceShipTwo today and fans of Virgin Galactic will be well aware of Galactic’s goals of carrying fare-paying passengers on sub-orbital flights in the coming years, but few people know about another Galactic project which is now gathering pace – the LauncherOne satellite system.
Back in January 2009 early discussions [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/2009/12/07/launcherone-virgin-galactics-satellite-launcher-project/

Astronomy Question of the Week: How is a black hole discovered?

Black holes are astrophysical objects with an almost unbelievably high mass per unit volume. They are so heavy that they are able to powerfully warp the space around them. Within a certain distance from the black hole ? the ‘event horizon’ ? this warping of space is so strong that absolutely no light or any [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/2009/12/07/astronomy-question-of-the-week-how-is-a-black-hole-discovered/