You read that right. NASA wants volunteers for their four-month simulation to Mars. But instead of conducting tests on confinement and psychological stress, NASA just want to study your tastebuds.

by Carol Pinchefsky

by Carol Pinchefsky

by Carol Pinchefsky

The delayed second test flight of SpaceX's Falcon 1 took place on Tuesday March 20th to bittersweet success: although the rocket reached space and achieved a number of benchmarks, including stage separation and a second-stage ignition, it ultimately did not achieve orbital velocity. After a smooth first-stage ascent, a roll instability developed in the second stage, and further contact with the rocket was lost.

by Carol Pinchefsky

American-Iranian businesswoman Anousheh Ansari will be the next space tourist to travel to the International Space Station. Ansari will be replacing Japanese businessman Daisuke Enomoto, who did not pass his physical examination.

According to this Register article, China plans to send astronauts to the moon in the year 2024. The article says the Chinese government is actively looking for Helium-3, a source of fuel abundant on the moon that may replace oil and gas.

Space travel holds some unanswered questions for observant Muslims, but the most important is "which way is Mecca?" To answer that, Malaysia's National Space Agency held a conference in late April.

by Carol Pinchefsky