These are the voyages of the starsip...Googleprise. Or Microprise. Or...

[temporus]

Shortly after I wrote up yesterday's post about space, exploration, and the future potential for my sons to become astronauts, I ran across an article about Microsoft and Google getting into the space exploration business.  The title made me pause and think, maybe I'm wrong here, maybe there will be new hope for space travel.  Here's the article.

Microsoft & Google: Icons of the New Space Race?

It seems however, that neither the big M or big G is going to putting up rockets any time soon.  On the otherhand, it just goes to show what the future could be like for the amateur astronmer.  It appears that this kind of star gazing data will be available on the internet directly.   Terabytes of nightly data for anyone to comb through to make new discoveries.   That's pretty wild when you stop to think on it.   How soon before we see Google Universe applet?  Oh, wait they have that:  Google Sky.

Okay, so space exploration isn't all rockets and laser guns.  And while it sure is fun to watch Star Wars, I'm betting that living it for real probably isn't all that fun if you don't happen to be one of the lucky ones who get all the benefits of that fictional universe without all the pain, strife, and turmoil. 

None of that deters my son, who again last night inisited upon rocket emblazoned pajamas, and still insists he's going to be a spaceman when he grows up.  Good for you son.   But don't expect me to visit you at work.  I'm not sure I could pass the physical.