Space

[Ellie]

I picked up a book in a bargain bin called how to build your own rocketship. (It's not how it sounds, it's really just a description of space travel and what's happening in the present with regards space stations and tourism and such, but interesting nonetheless).

I had no idea China are building their own space stations. Hell, they have a single module station up their right now. By 2020 then will have a China-built version of the ISS.

I know there's not much chance of ever going into space, but reading about other people doing it is enough for me. I hope we never stop projects such as Mars One, Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, even if it is just a plaything of the rich. People like Richard Branson and the guy who directed Titanic inspire me. Inspire me to... well, not much, but inspire me to keep reading, at least!

Mars one: http://mars-one.com/en/mission/mission-and-vision
Virgin Galactic: http://www.virgingalactic.com/

I got great joy staying in to watch Felix Baumgartner do his space jump, even sat there watching them just moving about on the launch pad for hours. I dunno man, it's just interesting. Probably not as good as seeing the first moon landing but it was still amazing to watch.

 

[biyu]

So the title of the book is ironic, correct? (Trying to follow your OP). I always enjoy the idea of traveling to space, and yes, I also enjoyed the freefall that Baumgartner attempted (I say this because he did not break one of two records he sought to achieve.) A close friend of mine used to work at a space station in Florida and would constantly tell me how it was the opposite of what anyone's childhood fantasy was.

Also, a bit off of topic, but did anyone read about Chris Hadfield and his 1.3 million dollar cellphone bill? Lame. His reddit AMA was pretty cool and down to earth: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1 ... _orbiting/

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

the final frontier