The Imaginarium is Back in Business. A Story from a Cadet. Space and Science News.

Hello Troops,
Yes, I'm back from my first vacation in four years!
It was fun and relaxing, but I'm glad to be back.  The world can only go so long without the power of the Imaginarium!

A little over a week ago I asked our Farpoint Cadets to send in a few stories and observations about volunteering at the two space centers.  Tonight I'm going to share one of those emails.

From Bradyn S.

So, there I was. I'd just woken up on a beautiful Thursday morning, thinking about my last observation at Central that night. That led me to think of the Cadet meeting the previous day, in which Mr. Williamson had said, "Just before you leave to volunteer, check the schedule to make sure your flight has not been canceled." Or something similar to that.
    My mission wasn't for about 10 hours, but I thought I'd be able to get a few brownie points just by checking. I scrolled down to "Thursday" on the volunteering schedule. I expected to see "Galileo CMSEC 6:30-9:00." I didn't. I was then sent into a frenzied panic, quickly scrolling up and down the list to find any last minute observation spots. I didn't. But, there was a field trip that morning...
    I left a quick message at Central explaining everything (okay, maybe it wasn't THAT quick), then took off to the Magellan. The only thing I was nervous about was, "We will not let you volunteer at Central without having both your observations done," Megan had said at the Cadet meeting. But I had no other option, hoping Megan would let me volunteer, but count it as an observation.
    I arrived, turned right twice into the Discovery room, found Megan, and explained everything. "What? I never cancelled that mission! You're talking about the one on the Galileo tonight?" Megan asked, confused. 

"Yes..." I answered, confused as well."Some one better not be cancelling my flights," Megan said. "So, can I still volunteer for this field trip, then?" I asked, knowing I had nothing much to do that morning, anyway. "Yes," she said, as I relaxed, "and as far as I'm concerned, the flight is still on tonight."
    Once I got back, I checked my e-mail. Mr. Williamson's name was in my Inbox. I clicked on the message, and it read  

    "Sorry Bradyn,
The Galileo is still flying tonight.
It was taken off by my mistake.
                     Mr. Williamson."

Yes Bradyn,  even Mr. W makes the odd mistake here and there.


Space and Science News

Scientific American features a fun, new, science-related activity every Thursday that parents and their six- to 12-year-olds can do together. Adults will find easy-to-follow instructions and simple materials lists as well as additional background to help them explain the key concepts. We hope you enjoy, as science begins in the home.  

Mars One

This image depicts the interior of a Mars One habitat as envisioned by its designers.

Mars One aims to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars in 2023, requiring no return mission, and radiation fears shouldn't hold that back, explains Bas Lansdorp, Mars One co-founder and CEO, in this op-ed article:  http://oak.ctx.ly/r/725l

It's official! Two tiny moons orbiting the dwarf planet Pluto finally have new names: Styx and Kerberos. http://oak.ctx.ly/r/720c

A Russian rocket exploded in a massive fireball late Monday (July 1), destroying three navigation satellites after a failed launch that appeared to veer out of control shortly after liftoff and crash back to Earth. http://oak.ctx.ly/r/71px

The Imaginarium

We are back with more of the ordinary, transplanted with organs from the extraordinary.

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The world's largest rock climbing wall in the Netherlands

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Every village has an idiot?  No,
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I need these for my Battlestar

Sign over a box of fake grenades