playing golf on the moon (with David Bowie)

X-Prize Cup

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6087088.stm

Is it an air show or a circus? A commercial trade fair or simple entertainment?

The X-Prize Cup held on a desert airfield at Las Cruces in New Mexico last weekend was all of these. Now in its second year, it is the premier event for space enthusiasts, attracting tens of thousands of visitors of all ages and a chance for very rich boys to show off some very big toys.

"I have a belief that we have to make space a personal experience," says Peter Diamandis, founder and chairman of the X-Prize Foundation. "For too long it's just been something you've seen on TV. You may have heard about someone who knows an astronaut. Kids have to believe that it is something they can do, something they can aspire to and dream about, just as we did when we were kids."

Human 2.0

According to this BBC Horizon programme it's really not going to be a problem keeping a version of Bowie alive long enough to complete the mission:

"Meet the scientific prophets who claim we are on the verge of creating a new type of human - a human v2.0.

It's predicted that by 2029 computer intelligence will equal the power of the human brain. Some believe this will revolutionise humanity - we will be able to download our minds to computers extending our lives indefinitely."

Astronaut etiquette

Astronauts gave etiquette lessons and practical advice to potential space tourists attending this week's International Symposium for Personal Spaceflight in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Some of the the tips are obvious, like clean up the toilet after using it, don't be a window hog, and avoid looking directly at the sun. (Apparently, one space tourist burned his retina by staring into the sun through a magnifying camera lens).

From New Scientist: "The space veterans also offered practical advice to save time and frustration in orbit. They suggested women with long hair might cut it if they are planning to be in space for more than a couple of days. On shuttle flights, some women with lengthy manes spend about one hour every three days carefully shampooing their hair, then dabbing it dry. This is time that could be spent looking out the window at Earth.     They also said duct tape proves useful for capturing dental floss or fingernail clippings that might otherwise float around the cabin and become a nuisance to other passengers."

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/10/18/astro_etiquette.html

Experience 3g force on the Booster - 31st Oct/1st Nov

Ever wished you were an astronaut? Get in training on the fearsome 
Booster that has thrilling forces of up to 3G. A space-flight surgeon 
and an astronautical engineer aid the experience of excitement in the 
last Thrill Laboratory.

http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2006/10/31/173

Now the bowling machine, tomorrow the golfing robot

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5412632.stm

A machine that can replicate the spin and swing of bowlers has been developed at a UK university. The robotic bowler has been created at Loughborough University as part of a virtual reality project to improve match training for cricket.

Anousheh Ansari pips Madonna by 3 years

Let's hear it for Anousheh Ansari who has become - in her own words - "the world's First Female Private Space Explorer & Space Ambassador."

Good to see she's a blogger: "A ray of light filled the capsule and warmed my heart.  I think I was laughing out loud.  The joy in my heart was indescribable…"

Here's her first email from space. And here's her YouTube videos from space!  She's using all the same software as me for her mission!!