The Google Earth Engine displays a range of satellite imagery including zoomable time-lapse views of particular areas over a 40 year time span: A picture of Earth through time – Official Google Blog
Here are some examples:
A space program in Amish country?
An update from Joe Latrell of Photos To Space, a HobbySpace sponsor:
A Space Program In Amish Country?
Strasburg firm brings Space access to the public
[Strasburg, PA – May 10th, 2013] Surrounded by tranquil fields, the idyllic town of Strasburg, PA seems an unlikely place for a Space company. Tucked into a tiny corner just off the downtown square sits the headquarters for a company that wants to make Space ‘available’ to anyone.
“Currently our primary products are digital photo packages,” says Joe Latrell, the company’s CEO. “We send images, videos and an assortment of small items both to near-space and on suborbital flights. We want 2013 to be the year of personal space.”
“This is a great way to get students and teachers involved in space travel,” continues Latrell. “What better way to start a child exploring real world math and science than to participate in a real space mission? What a great introduction to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) courses.”
Photos To Space partners with existing launch firms for the actual flights. While the company does launch small vehicles for testing flight hardware at a nearby local farm, they don’t launch space-bound rockets from Pennsylvania. Says Latrell, “We work with several companies to handle the actual launch duties. They get to do the really cool part of the mission while we handle the customer support end of things.”
Two different launches are rapidly approaching. The first is a near-space launch to 20 miles occurring at the end of May. The second is a sub-orbital flight launching out of Spaceport America in NM in late June or early July. Additional flights are planned throughout the remaining year.
“It’s an inexpensive and fun way to get involved in Space. Where else can you get directly involved in Space for less?” he asks. Prices for the company’s offerings start at $1.49 for a near-space flight.
For more information about Photos To Space’s various opportunities visit their website at http://www.photostospace.com.
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About Photos To Space
Based in Lancaster County, PA, Photos To Space was created with the goal of getting people involved and interested in space and to provide opportunities for the general public to take part in space travel. Through its website, www.photostospace.com., customers can participate directly in incredible Space adventures.
The Space Show – Mars One today and Celebration of 2000+ shows
Mars One is on the Space Show agenda today – Twitter / SpaceShow:
Bas Lansdorp of Mars One today, 2-3:30 PM PDT (5-6:30 PM EDT). Listen @ http://www.thespaceshow.com . Call Bas @ 1-866-687-7223
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This week David Livingston and guests celebrated the 2000th episode milestone for The Space Show: Space Show 2000th Program & 12th Anniversary Tribute, Tuesday, 5-7-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog.
Video: Curiosity rover update
Now that the Curiosity rover is out from behind the Moon, operations are ramping back up. Here is a brief report on upcoming activities: Curiosity Rover Report (May 9, 2013): ‘Spring Break’ Over: Commanding Resumes
Trailer for “Gravity” – film with George Clooney & Sandra Bullock
The movie Gravity stars George Clooney and Sandra Bullock as astronauts on the International Space Station. An accident leaves them stranded. The first trailer for the film has jut been released. ‘Gravity’ Trailer: Watch George Clooney Get Lost In Space – MTV.com
Here is a synopsis of the movie:
Academy Award® winners Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side,” “The Proposal”) and George Clooney (“Up in the Air,” “Syriana”) star in “Gravity,” a heart-pounding thriller that pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space. The film was directed by Oscar® nominee Alfonso Cuarón (“Children of Men”).
Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness.The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left.
But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.
“Gravity” was written by Alfonso Cuarón & Jonás Cuarón. Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman (the “Harry Potter” films) are the film’s producers. Stephen Jones (“Knowing”) served as executive producer with Nikki Penny (“Clash of the Titans”) co-producing.
The behind-the-scenes team includes multiple Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (“Children of Men,” “The New World”), production designer Andy Nicholson (supervising art director “Alice in Wonderland”), editor Mark Sanger (VFX editor “Alice in Wonderland”), and costume designer Jany Temime (the “Harry Potter” films). The effects were handled by Oscar®-nominated visual effects supervisor Timothy Webber (“The Dark Knight”) and Oscar®-winning special effects supervisor Neil Corbould (“Gladiator”).
“Gravity” was filmed entirely at Shepperton Studios in London, England.
A Warner Bros. Pictures production, “Gravity” will be released in 3D and 2D and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.