NASA Jumps into Gaming

Apparently NASA is working on a massively multiplayer online game called Astronaut: Mars, Moon, and Beyond. A demo is avalible at their website.

National Space Society Statement on Arthur C. Clarke's Legacy

The members and board of the National Space Society are saddened by the passing of Sir Arthur Clarke, a longtime member of the society's Board of Governors.

Clarke's legacy will live on in the decades to come, as humanity continues the great adventure of space travel and exploration.

"Sir Arthur's positive vision of the future excited generations about space exploration, and inspired millions to pursue scientific careers," said Buzz Aldrin, Apollo astronaut and fellow member of the NSS Board of Governors.

George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director, stated: "Arthur C. Clarke invented the concept of geostationary satellites in 1945, and the orbit of such satellites is named in his honor. It is highly fitting that future space explorers setting out for distant moons and planets will forever pass Clarke's Orbit on their way."

Fred Ordway, a member of the original board of the National Space Institute, worked closely with Clarke on the film, '2001 - A Space Odyssey': "I met Clarke in 1950 at the first International Congress on Astronautics in Paris. His passing represents the loss of a distinguished friend and one of the most important figures in space history."

The members and board of NSS express their appreciation to Clarke's staff in Sri Lanka, where he has lived since 1956, and recognize the efforts of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, founded to promote the work, life, and legacy of Sir Arthur.

Arthur C. Clark is Gone

Those of us at Space Pragmatism morn the loss of one of the greatest men in both science fiction and space advocacy.

Arthur C. Clark
Dec 16, 1917 - March 18 ,2008
It may be that the old astrologers had the truth exactly reversed, when they believed that the stars controlled the destinies of men. The time may come when men control the destinies of stars

Stargate SG-1 Releases "Ark of Truth"

Stargate SG-1, the longest running sc-fi series in American history, has just released their first post-tv movie, the Ark of Truth, to DVD. Check it out (I already bought it).

Zaphod Beeblebrox to Be Stranded on the Moon for Three Years

Sam Rockwell, who played Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Guy Fleegman in Galaxy Quest, is doing a new movie where he will be stranded on the Moon for three years.

(hat-tip to Curmdugeons Corner)

Movie on Private Race to the Moon

Dreamworks is doing a movie on a private flight to the Moon.

(hat tip to Curmudgeons Corner)

Serenity 2?

Good God there may be a sequel to the best movie this Eon, Serenity. Keep your fingers crossed and keep buying the DVD (I may go buy another one just to keep up the fight :)

(thanks to Curmudgeons Corner)

Robert Heinlein's Legacy

Taylor Dinerman has an editorial in the Wall Street Journal about the life and legacy of Robert Heinlein, the greatest science fiction writer of the 20th century.

The End of an Era

Stargate SG-1 is over. Now bring on the movies.

Scotty's Ashes Going Up

UP Aerospace is set to launch Scotty (James Doohan) into space from New Mexico later this month.

"I can't give you any more captain." May you go were no man has gone before.

New Star Trek Movie

Links:

• IMDB Star Trek XI


• Wikipeida
  

(from PR Newswire)

Star Trek," one of the most popular and successful franchises in the history of movies and television, returns to the big screen under the creative vision of J.J. Abrams, the force behind "Lost," "Alias" and "Mission Impossible III" for Paramount Pictures.


The team behind the film will include Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci ("Mission Impossible III") who wrote the screenplay and will executive produce with Bryan Burk. J.J. Abrams and "Lost" co-creator Damon Lindelof will produce. The film will begin shooting this fall for a Christmas Day 2008 release.


One of the most popular film and television franchises of all time, "Star Trek" has encompassed 726 total episodes for television in six different series, beginning with the original 1966-1969 series created by Gene Roddenberry. The 10 "Star Trek" films have grossed in excess of $1 billion at the worldwide box office. The original characters have been named among the 50 greatest TV characters of all time and the Enterprise has lent its name to two proposed spacecrafts.


"If there's something I'm dying to see, it's the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry's world brought back to the big screen," said Abrams. "Alex and Bob wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our goal is to make a picture for everyone -- life-long fans and the uninitiated. Needless to say, I am honored and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek."


Brad Grey, chairman and CEO, Paramount Pictures, said, "We could not be more thrilled to be back in business with J.J. Abrams. The revival of the 'Star Trek' franchise is an important part of Paramount's turnaround."