Houston, We Have A Gas Problem

No, I'm not talking about the toilet that is still malfunctioning on the space station (horrors! it's been over a week). Wait, it was fixed yesterday. I'm talking about Continental cutting 3,000 jobs because of jet fuel costs. This will have a profound effect here in my community.

I don't see how fuel costs can't adversely affect the economy over the next few months. It affects the costs of everything.

One Toilet And It Doesn't Work

And you're stuck in space. Some days suck worse than others. I guess I should be counting my digestive blessings or at least my plumbing blessings.

Humans: Polluting The Universe--UPDATED

One of the big worries about sending pigs, I mean probes, in space is that human microbes will pollute the worlds they'll explore, potentially wiping out innocent alien civilizations and destroying otherworldly environments. And the UN can prevent this. Evidently, there's a treaty:

However far in the future such technologies may be, it is worth thinking about the potential problem of contaminating other solar systems with Earth life, according to a new paper by Charles Cockell of the Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research at Open University in Milton Keynes, UK.

Why should we take the trouble to avoid such interstellar contamination? First, there is the "utilitarian desire to preserve examples of other life of potentially enormous scientific interest", Cockell says. In previous writings, he has also argued that humans have an ethical responsibility to avoid harming life in other solar systems.

There may also be a legal issue. NASA's planetary protection officer, Cassie Conley, notes that the 1967 outer space treaty stipulates that countries should avoid "harmful contamination" of the Moon and other celestial bodies.

To respect the treaty, NASA follows guidelines for planetary protection set out by a Paris-based group of international experts called the Council on Space Research (COSPAR), which advises the United Nations and promotes international cooperation on space research.

I guess my idea of huge space barges full of garbage won't fly. Why are we giving a crap about this? Aren't life forms from other planets always smarter than us? It seems excessive to worry about them getting sick from us.

UPDATE: Via reader DiorJohnnyBravo--Did someone say "Pig's in Space?"


I do worry about the worlds in other dimensions. You know, the parallel universe where my twin lives. Cross-pollinating disease between dimensions seems like a bad idea.

In The Shadow of the Moon

Sounds like an excellent documentary about the Apollo crew. Thought you might want to see it.

Watch The Space Shuttle Tonight

I know. I'm blogging all over the road today. Brendan Loy notes that we have a unique opportunity to see the Space Shuttle in the sky before it lands.

Hopefully, we can see it and show the kids. Go here to get the best times.