Editor’s note: Whether they post a few paragraphs or a few pages these space geeks are bound to make you laugh or cry (depends on you view of NASA with the latter).

There were several amazing posts (amazing was the theme of the carnival) ranging from Clark Lindsey new way to fund space tourism to Louie Riofrio’s take on Benson’s Dreamchaser space craft to Ed’s sharp rebuke towards NASA and space whiners.

But the best post thus far has to go to Dave Rankin of Tales of the Heliosphere who discussed every one’s favorite subject–unless you work for NASA of course.

(Tales of the Heliosphere) In any event, the truly uncomfortable reality of sex in space is not about relationships, morale, techniques, alternative sexual lifestyles, and the whole gamut of things that first come to mind when sex in space is discussed. The truly uncomfortable reality of sex in space is that the biological purpose of sex is reproduction and artificial birth control sometimes fails. What do we do if an astronaut becomes pregnant? [...]

We can’t be certain how weightlessness or even reduced gravity would affect a developing human in the womb or an infant, and we don’t know what should be done to protect its health in space. A pregnancy on a long, three-year mission to Mars, for example, would certainly help us learn. But that knowledge would come at the cost of unplanned experimentation on a human being that never consented and couldn’t.

A pregnancy in space would probably be a nightmare for any space agency, not to mention NASA. After all, a deformed child born in microgravity could be more than enough to convince the public that space is too dangerous for humans, ensuring domination by our robotic slaves friends.

It would probably be wiser to raise a kid on the Moon or Mars, than try experimenting with microgravity where a child brought into the world of stars may have to spend the rest of their days living among them.

Note: Do not forget to check out the other various articles about space on Henry’s Carnival of Space.

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Editor’s note: The fourth Carnival of the Space Geeks is up, and this time there were a lot more interesting posts from a lot more interesting minds.

Interesting highlights include Brian Dunbar’s brief analysis of solar powered satellites, Amanda Bauer creepy post about robot beetles, and Deborah Byrd commenting on scientists searching for life in Spock’s region of space.

But the best post (in my opinion) goes to James of Surfin’ English who discusses one of the largest hurdles towards becoming a space faring citizen: micro-gravity.

Our bones get brittle, blood moves up in the body because gravity stops pulling it downwards, and our hearts suffer because they don’t have to work as hard in space to move blood. When we get home, our bodies are wrecks.

We also suffer from spacesickness ( like seasickness but worse), dizziness, and overly active farting. Seriously, going into space may look like fun, but it’s like drunkenly stumbling onto the last train after running a double marathon and discovering that every passenger on the train has been eating beans for two weeks. Not pretty.

James notes a possible solution to this dilemma is artificial gravity, which would help curb most (if not all) of these nasty effects of living amongst the heavens.

Although it is doubtful that a space ship could simulate gravity (as no one knows yet how to create gravitons), Orbital space stations and space elevator stations could enable our species to actually not only function in space, but on low gravity worlds.

Note: Those interested in joining next week’s Carnival of the Space Geeks can visit this page for details on how to enter.

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(Hat Tip: NASA Watch)

It looks like NASA’s marketing department is get slightly better at creating video’s in order to communicate its message. Instead of attempting to rationalize the nation on the reasons why we need to go back (whether it be because of potential resources, science, or an “insurance policy” against extinction) they simply sum it up in one word–exploration.

Note: For those interested in seeing a higher quality version of this video, click here. (requires Quick Time)

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It looks like India is reversing an earlier decision regarding weaponizing the heavens above us and is instead pursuing an exploration of the cosmos free from military influence.

(ZeeNews.com) Implying that Chinese anti-satellite missile tests had no influence on India’s space programme, President A P J Abdul Kalam has made it clear that New Delhi’s space ambitions had no military interest.

“Indian space programme has no military interest,” he said during a question-answer session at the International Space University here last night.

“It has been built to be locally relevant when globally challenging and its foundation is the quest of India and other space faring nations to use the collective wisdom of the humanity to solve the socio-economic problems of our society,” he said.

Although this is a noble stance, India may have to reverse course on this decision once the moon begins to buzz with human activity. Despite our best wishes, humanity has never been known to ever visit a land without military escorts (during or after) and the Moon will probably be no exception.

India is currently seeking to expand its influence as an upcoming space power, as evidenced by its first successful rocket launch not too long ago. If any nation were to lead the way towards peaceful exploration, India would be the one to do it as it has yet to commit the cosmic sin of shattering a satellite in ones atmosphere.

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Note: Nothing to do with our own solar system, but it is interesting nonetheless.

It looks like scientists may have spotted the first planet outside of our solar system that is potentially habitable for life.

(Space.com) An Earth-like planet spotted outside our solar system is the first found that could support liquid water and harbor life, scientists announced today.

Liquid water is a key ingredient for life as we know it. The new found planet is located at the “Goldilocks” distance—not too close and not too far from its star to keep water on its surface from freezing or vaporizing away. [...]

The new planet is about 50 percent bigger than Earth and about five times more massive. The new “super-Earth” is called Gliese 581 C, after its star, Gliese 581, a diminutive red dwarf star located 20.5 light-years away that is about one-third as massive as the Sun.

This is the first terrestrial world discovered outside of our solar system that orbits within the habitable zone of a star. Although the planet orbits a short distance around its star (about 13 Earth days), life forms could easily survive on this world due to the dimness (or rather lack of heat) from the red dwarf sun.

Scientists are probably going to take a second look at this, and it will be interesting to see whether or not we will be able to locate features upon this world in the future.

Note: I’ve just alerted Paul over at Centauri Dreams, who should have an interesting analysis regarding this discovery.

Update (4/25): Paul has posted his analysis here with a video over here. Exciting stuff!

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Over 40 years ago, a Russian cosmonaut by the name of Yuri Gagarin stepped into a space ship and sailed across the heavens. It was a time of immense tension on our planet, with half the world not knowing whether or not our species would survive the presumed war that would end life as we know it.

Yet, despite the difference of opinions among our fellow selves, humanity was able to take its first baby step off our planet and glimpse our world in a new perspective.

Today marks the day that we, as a species, took our first baby step towards exploring the heavens that surround us, and ultimately establishing a home among the worlds that dance around our home star Sol.

Despite the times that we live in, our species is once again reaching out to the stars, once again imagining ourselves dwelling upon red, white and dark soils, and once again realizing our that potential is not limited to our Earthen cradle.

So as you celebrate with others or simply by yourselves, rejoice in the fact that you are alive in these days, being able to witness the first fruits of species colonizing our solar system, and ultimately the entire galaxy around us.

“Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever.” ~Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

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