The concept of a space elevator has long been a dream for scientists and has here to date been a staple for science fiction authors. Japan hopes to change that and make the dream a reality. picked by bernardblack 1 year ago

A Japanese brewery is planning to produce the world's first "space beer" using barley once stored at the International Space Station. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

20th November 1998 saw the deployment of the first part of the International Space Station. 10 years on, it is still not finished, the merits of the science it embodies are in question and today it transpires they've recently lost a spider and a tool bag.

But happy birthday, anyway. picked by pocksucket 1 year ago

On April 12, 1961, the Soviets launched a 27-year-old fighter pilot named Yuri Gagarin on the world's first piloted space mission. picked by suebe 3 years ago

Beer, beer, beer
We're going for a beer.
Beer, beer, beer.
I like drinking beer.
Lovely, lovely beer.

A Rob Manuel, Daniele Davoli and Joel Veitch collaboration. picked by Pocksucket 2 years ago

Astronomers from SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research have discovered a new cluster of galaxies, hidden behind a previously identified cluster of galaxies. The recently exposed cosmic giant is apparently just as bright as the first group, but is six times further away. The astronomers made the discovery as part of an international team using the space telescope XMM-Newton. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

NASA discovered that space shuttle Atlantis has been holed by a tiny piece of space debris. The 1/10-inch hole represents the second largest debris damage event ever identified. Fortunately, it missed everything that was important to the mission. Space debris is an increasingly challenging problem. picked by Fanatic 3 years ago

Australians, long regarded as a nation of beer drinkers rivalled only by the Germans, seem to be turning soft, or sober. After 113 years, the country's biggest selling beer, Victoria Bitter, or VB, is to be produced in a mid-strength version to keep pace with the country's fast-changing beer tastes. picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

Takao Doi, the Japanese astronaut who'll be testing whether a boomerang will fly in space , now has something else to live down: he'll be the living test-bed for a new underwear fabric said to provide "high levels of deodorant, antiseptic and antistatic effect" in space. picked by Mitzuzake 2 years ago

With the picture-perfect launch of the pioneering SELENE lunar exploration probe from a Mitsubishi H-IIA rocket, Japan has made a stunning return to space while answering China's bold challenge. Includes one of the coolest launch videos you'll ever see. picked by mitzuzake 2 years ago

The new cargo ship is poised to launch toward the station on Sept. 10 at 1:01 p.m. EDT (1701 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on a shakedown cruise. If all goes well, the inaugural spacecraft, called the H-2 Transfer Vehicle 1 (HTV-1), should arrive at the station on Sept. 17. picked by kakana 3 months ago

Some animals have been bred in space, but not mammals. Japanese researchers are looking into the possibility, and doing experiments with mice on earth that mimic lower gravity space conditions.

There were some baby mice produced after the embryos were implanted, but not many survived compared to a control group picked by Bingo 3 months ago

Catching a free ride to Mars takes more than sticking out a thumb, but some hardy Earth bacteria could survive as hitchhikers clinging to the outside of spacecraft, studies have shown. Now a set of experiments going up with space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station will test how exposure to the harshness of space might change bacteria during a simulated Mars mission. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

It's made of icebergs in Japan, it's blue and it's beer, apparently.

And it says "draft" on the bottle... picked by pocksucket 4 months ago

One of two spiders sent to the orbiting laboratory aboard the space shuttle Endeavour last week was added to the lost property list after the crew checked its tank and found it empty. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

Scientists sent Salmonella bacteria to the International Space Station aboard two space shuttle missions in September 2006 and March 2008. The researchers found that when the bacteria were cultured in the microgravity environment of orbit, they became more virulent than those on Earth. The findings showed that the conditions in which the bacteria grows affect how dangerous it will become. picked by AutumnLotus 8 months ago

The idea behind a space elevator is simple. Deploy a cable stretching from the ground near Earth’s equator far enough into space, and centrifugal forces due to Earth’s spin will keep the cable taut.

*fixed picked by jLoSsDh 1 year ago

The Indian space programme hit a minor snag when it came to the menu. Many traditional dishes have side effects that you don't necessarily want in a confined space with limited breathable air on board. The Defence Food Research Laboratory have stepped up to help create a more pleasant atmosphere. picked by pocksucket 8 months ago

A Japanese astronaut plans to throw a boomerang inside a space station to test whether it can fly in zero gravity. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Beer is good for you! This article details the health benefits of sensible drinking, as well as all the little aches and complaints that beer can help sooth.

Guaranteed to give you an excuse to go down the pub! picked by bingo 8 months ago