My thanks to Bill White for providing me with the link to the YouTube video featuring this NASA Q&A press conference with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden discussing the new FY2011 budget proposal.
Nella's Top Space Stories
- The planned launch of the space shuttle Endeavour was postponed early this morning due to inclement weather. The next scheduled launch will be at 04:14 am EST, Monday Feb 8. You can still catch the launch on NASA TV is you are willing to get up extra early Monday morning. One of the last 5 space shuttles launches and the last night launch.
- Cassini, the robotic spacecraft orbiting Saturn, had its mission extended for another 7 years. Sigh. Get to see more beautiful pictures of Saturn, its rings, and moons. To see the latest raw images check out this website.
- For those of you interested in some cool live streaming video of ISS, crew activity inside, and space views outside, click here. Although be warned that it does not appear to be a 24/7 feed.
- The Iranians have apparently achieved suborbital spaceflight according to news reports. The rocket payload included some live animals such as turtles and worms. Western nations strongly condemned the launch which they see as a cover for Iran to develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could possible carry nuclear warheads.
- For those of you who just might be watching the Superbowl (I watch commercials and take bathroom breaks during the game, insert eyeroll here) the coin that will be used in the pre-game coin toss travelled aboard the Discovery last November.
- The first Tweet directly from space or at least from ISS.
Astronomy Corner
Pluto has gone goofy. But this article tries to use the new data to pin the cause of global warming on natural orbital cycles. I think the argument is somewhat wanting.
Weird Space
If you had your guess of where NASA is currently conducting simulated test of its lunar technology, would you have guessed Hawaii?
Space Photo of the Week
In honor of the Super Bowl.
For more space stories, please see Neon Vincent's Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday.