Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact


Opportunity to send your name and message into space with Kepler
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
NASA is soliciting names and messages to fly into space aboard its Kepler Mission, the first probe which may be able to discover Earth-like planets...

The Beatles' "Across the Universe" heading across the universe
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Celebrating a series of anniversaries this week, NASA transmitted the iconic Beatles' tune "Across the Universe" to...

SpaceShipTwo more than half complete; soon to fly passengers into space
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
The follow-on ship to the one which won the X-Prize may be ready for test flights late this year, and passengers by 2010. Richard Branson and Burt Rutan revealed the designs...

Well, they aren't in the steam tunnels
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Quidditch is making the leap from J.K. Rowling's fantasy world onto college campuses in our real world...

Chinese probe on its way to the Moon
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
China launches its first lunar orbiting probe, Chang'e, to the Moon...

Allies in Space marks Sputnik anniversary with discussion
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
A free panel discussion at CUNY's Graduate Center marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first artificial satellites...

Japanese probe in lunar orbit
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
The Japanese space agency's SELENE launched on 14 September, and early on 4 October performed its lunar orbit injection maneuver, placing it in orbit aroubt the Moon. This is Japan's first lunar orbiting...

Asteroid named for "Lt. Sulu"
News > Activities
The International Astronomical Union has changed the name of asteroid 1994 GT9 to 7307 Takei, honoring actor George Takei...

Google sponsoring $20 million Lunar X Prize
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Following the success of the $10 million X Prize, Google is sponsoring the follow-on $25 million Lunar X Prize, to encourage the development and launch of a commercial rover to the Moon...

Go Weightless with Buzz Aldrin
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Zero-G Corporation, the purveyors of weightless flights, are offering a "Platinum Experience," coached and guided by Buzz Aldrin...

NASA sponsors art contest to depict "Life and Work on the Moon"
News > Contests
NASA is sponsoring an art contest, open to college students in the US, with the theme "Life and Work on the Moon." There will be cash prizes and exhibit opportunities for winners...

Casimir Effect may be beatable
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
A report of a news story which points to an experiment that can reverse the Casimir Effect, in effect providing levitation...

Northrup Grumman buys Scaled Composites; and in an unrelated story, explosion kills three employees
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Two unrelated stories, the second drawing attention the first. An explosion during a SpaceShipTwo construction test killed three employees of Scaled Composites. The event drew attention to last week's announcement that Northrup Grumman is buying out the entire company...

"Somatic Networks and Molecular Hacking in Eastern Standard Tribe
News > Education
Dr. Graham J. Murphy, of Trent University, recently published a paper investigating "Somatic Networks and Molecular Hacking in Eastern Standard Tribe," using Cory Doctorow's novel as his source material. The paper is now available...

Habitable Planets for Man Available for Free
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
The Rand Corporation's landmark 1964 study, Habitable Planets for Man, is now available as a free pdf document...

Bigelow Aerospace Launches Second Successful Inflatable Spacecraft
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Bigelow Aerospace launched its second successful inflatable spacecraft, the Genesis II, aboard a Russian rocket yesterday...

DuPont presents "Nano Risk Framework"
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
DuPont and Environmental Defense have collaborated on a two-year project to produce their 104-page "Nano Risk Framework." The document is a process to evaluate and address the potential risks of nanoscale materials...

ESA Looking for Simulated Mars Mission Participants
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
The European Space Agency is planning a 520-day simulated mission to Mars (in an enclosed environment in Moscow), and is looking for volunteers to fill the crew positions (plus slots on earlier 105-day missions). Participants must be...

Happy Anniversary, APOD!
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Today is the twelfth anniversary of the web site Astronomy Picture of the Day. While not really a genre entry on the web, the photos and descriptions they post—every day—are truly inspiring. SFScope salutes 12 years of APOD, and eagerly awaits its bar mitzvah next year.

Michael A. Burstein: Defender of Pluto
News > Activities
Author Michael A. Burstein, as president of the Society for the Preservation of Pluto as a Planet, is quoted extensively in the National Geographic article detailing the dwarf planet's demotion from king of the dwarfs...

New Entrant in the Space Tourism Business
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Astrium revealed their plans for a vehicle for space tourism that looks remarkably like a business jet, but with a rocket engine in the back. Their plan is to launch...

Atlantis Flies Tonight, Remembering Past and Future
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off at 7:38PM tonight, carrying artifacts of Jamestown to the International Space Station. It will also...

Cory Doctorow to Speak at UC Irvine
News > Performances & Podcasts
Cory Doctorow will give a free lecture at UC Irvine on copyright and trade policy. The event is open to the public, but...

China Plans Lunar Orbiter Launch This Year
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Chinese National Space Administration head Sun Laiyan announces the nation's plan to launch Chang'e I around the moon later...

2007 Robot Hall of Fame Inductees
News > Science Fiction Becoming Science Fact
Carnegie Mellon University's Robot Hall of Fame inducted the four members of its 2007 class. This is the first year that more of the inductees are real than are science fictional. They include...
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