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.

Comments

[jongibbs.livejournal.com]

You think he's keen now. Just wait till Toy Story 3 hits the movie screens ;)

[temporus.livejournal.com]

I can't wait.

Except for the first ten minutes of a Godzilla movie we sat through before the theater caught fire (at Lorne Dixon's booklaunch party) we have yet to go to an actual movie in the theater. He'll sit for the whole movie no problem on tape, and I think the theater is going to be a lot of fun.

I just wish he was old enough to take to Iron Man 2.

[arhyalon.livejournal.com]

Good for your son! My seven year old wants to be a plumber (like his hero Mario the video game character.)

I have a friend who wants to (or at least did a few years back) be an astronaut. I remember when my oldest son was a baby talking to him about this, and how he could do anything he wanted, when suddenly the idea of my son going to Mars brought out an aspect I had not thought about before...Mars is VERY FAR AWAY!

;-)

[temporus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think there's something about that that would scare me just as much as it would to be proud of him for striving to reach his dreams. As I'm sure the parents of all astronauts feel.