Neil Armstrong's Salute to the Pioneering Astronauts of the Space Race

July 27, 2009

Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, isn't known for his public speaking. In fact, we usually hear from second man on the moon, crew mate Buzz Aldrin who is most at home promoting space behind the microphone.

On July 21st however, it was Armstrong's turn to talk about the first men in space and NASA's astounding achievement to get man to the moon by 1969. It was an emotional speech for Armstrong as he saluted all the pioneering astronauts before Apollo 11's historic day on July 20th, 1969.

"We were the final leg of a relay race. And so we, the final leg, get the medals. But in all honesty, every one of those previous relay participants deserves it as well, or more, than the three of us. And so, I just want to say that, in my heart, it's your medal you guys. Thanks a lot." -- Neil Armstrong

Where It All Began: The Apollo 11 Launchpad 39A

July 16, 2009

40 years ago today (July 16), the awesome Apollo 11 Saturn V blasted off from Launchpad 39A, sending Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon and into the history books. Four short days later, the crew of Apollo 11 would arrive on the lunar surface, captivating the world and ejecting mankind into a new era. This was the first time man had ever set foot on another world, and another five would follow. Unfortunately, 1972 is the last time man stood on the lunar regolith. Will the launch pads at the Cape play host to the next big lunar missions soon? Only time will tell...

From NASA's Earth Observatory:

On June 9, 2002, the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite captured this true-color image of launch pad 39A and neighboring pad 39B. Both launch pads sport networks of buff-colored roadways dissecting marshy fields. At the center of each launch pad, roads converge and support buildings cluster. Outside the launch pads, vegetation is deep green, thanks to the warm, humid local climate. Sunlight bounces off the rippling waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and illuminates the relatively smooth surfaces of the inland water bodies on the cape. A white wave breaks along the cape’s shore.

The First Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Pictures Are Here!

July 02, 2009

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) launched on June 18 for a short trek to the moon. Only five days later, the LRO and companion spaceship, the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), arrived in lunar orbit. On June 30, the LRO opened its eyes and started taking pictures of the cratered surface. Prepare yourself, you're about to see the first images transmitted to Earth from the LRO.

Ready? Here they are...

Poll: Should NASA Return to the Moon?

June 28, 2009

It is currently NASA's plan to return man to the Moon by 2020. It will probably be after that, but that's the plan. However, it is far from clear whether it will be the Constellation Project (in its current form -- Ares rocket, Orion crew vehicle, Altair lunar lander) that will be taking us there. There's a lot of ideas flying around at the moment, including the point that perhaps we shouldn't be going back to the Moon at all.

As we fast approach the 40th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landings, what do you think NASA should be doing? Discovery Space is asking a very basic question to get a feel for the current situation from our readers: Should NASA Return to the Moon?

Read on, weigh up the options and vote. I'll be publishing the results on July 6...

Celebrating Michael Jackson's Legacy: The Moonwalk

June 26, 2009

Yesterday was a shocking day down here in LA.

Not only did the movie industry lose the legendary Farrah Fawcett after her epic battle with cancer, but in a surprise announcement that flooded the social media websites, music legend Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Center. To understand the gravity of Michael's death, the best summary came from a local LA reporter when he said, "First there was Elvis, and then Sinatra. Now Jackson has sadly passed away."

'Batty' Shuttle Launch, Space Junk Miss, Moon Face Swap (Video)

March 16, 2009

In this week's Discovery Space Wrap Up: Space shuttle Discovery blasts off (with a bat), Space station has a near miss with space junk, Earth's moon used to face the other way.

Oh, and the nasty, scraggly beard is going bye-bye after this:

Planet-Hunter Launches, Moon Crash, Colbert for Space Station (Video)

March 09, 2009

What's in store for this week's Discovery Space Wrap Up: NASA's earth-like planet-hunting Kepler Telescope launches, China's Chang'e 1 spacecraft bites the moon dust, Stephen Colbert wants his own space station node.

Also of note is that I am working on a grotesque beard to ward off single women -- enjoy:

Freezing Phoenix, Columbia Report, IYA2009, Ice on the Moon(?)

January 05, 2009

Your official Disco Space Preview video awaits.

Note: When I say "April" in the video, I should have said "October" -- as in "we last heard from Phoenix in October." Oops.

Dark Energy, Mars Carbonates, Google Lunar X PRIZE

December 22, 2008

Regulars 'round these parts should now know the drill for these Discovery Space preview videos. If not, here's the deal:

1. I make an embarrassing video of myself. (You can find all of them here.)
2. In said video, I dish out the biggest news in space from last week.
3. After that, you get a preview of what's coming down the road for Discovery Space.

What you do after that is up to you, but if it involves making fun of me, then you can join the healthy crowd on YouTube. They have many sticks with pointy ends to jab me.

That being said, entertain thyself -- and don't miss the extra goodies after the jump:

NASA Drama, Hot Exoplanets, the Moon and Endeavour's Return

December 16, 2008

What are the biggest things that happened in the crazy world of space last week? Well, you'll just have to watch the video to find out...