Mashed Articles

The good folks over at DIRECT 2.0, have made available for us space geeks (and DIRECT concept supporters) some of their artwork for our enjoyment as wallpapers. Be sure to check these out and spread the word about this alternative to Ares if you’re asked about that fancy new background now replacing that picture of a top model you were using

Regarding the 3D cockpit thingy I was talking about 10 days or so ago, things are looking good and I should be able to post a screenie of this in a few days hopefully. Since right now I’m experimenting with that in the context of some ground based console, the veil of secrecy shrouding our Orbiter’s project won’t be lifted … yet

I’d like to promote a bit something I stumbled (can’t recall how now) on last week, a weekley podcast dedicated to the Apollo program, called Conversations with Apollo. Most of the episodes (8 in total to this date) features an interview with a person having participated to the project, such as Flight Director Gerry Griffin. None of the missions crew have participated yet, I sure hope they will do, eventually …

With only a couple of days to go before the launch of the first European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) on top of an Ariane 5 rocket, the excitement in the Space geek community is starting to build-up, with the help of various interesting documents which were recently released, such as a Launch Kit (PDF, 6Mb) from EADS. As usual for an Ariane launch, Arianespace will be broadcasting the launch, but this time NASA TV will also cover the launch, live! We were suppose to visit some friends Saturday evening, but since the launch was postponned by 24h and is now happening that particular night, I had no choice by to cancel (the invitation, not the launch). Since they know that I’m a big Space geek, I think they understand … However, my wife isn’t too happy about staying home to watch another boring (night) launch on a tiny Window on my computer screen …

To mark the event, ESA have started a few days ago a blog, to follow live the first mission of the ATV.