New NASA astronaut class introduced

NASA held a media event yesterday to  introduce the latest astronaut class to the world:

A 4-leaf clover, golf balls, a falcon feather and other items on the Moon

Here’s a list of unusual artifacts on the Moon (and a map of their locations) : There’s a four-leaf clover on the Moon! – Moon Zoo

800px-DUKE

 

Video: Sci-fi short film, “Beyond”

The plot is rather opaque but the scenery is terrific in this sci-fi short:

 

BEYOND, sci fi short film from Raphael Rogers on Vimeo.

Space policy roundup – Aug.21.13 [Update]

The latest selection of space policy items:

Update:

Update 2: A conceptual lunar mission designed by a NASA team uses two SLS launches separated by 6 months and a large lander. It would allow a crew of four to stay a week on the Moon. The high cost of two SLS launches plus a multi-billion dollar lander, however, means such a mission falls far outside expected NASA funding levels: Dual SLS launch campaign required for NASA’s Lunar return – NASASpaceFlight.com.

Update 3: Bob Zimmerman comments on the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) released yesterday by NASA and other space agencies: Space agencies of the world unite! – Behind The Black

Video: A rocket engine intro

Benjamin Higginbotham at Spacevidcast gives a brief tutorial titled, “How do rocket engines work”

http://youtu.be/fE9oLkMCK9I

For more detailed tutorials, see:

Everyone can participate in space