Way to go, Riker

And this is why you shouldn't sit on computers:

Life on Mars

So the Russians are planning a virtual trip to Mars.

In order to simulate a trip to the red planet, they're taking volunteers to be locked up in and airtight capsule for 500 days. That's 18 months, with no way of getting out:

[quote]"If supplies run out, there'll be absolutely no asking for a re-fill; the doors of the "space ship" will be sealed for the whole 18 months of the experiment."[/quote]

There are simple requirements for volunteers:

[quote]"being of fairly young age, in good health, fluent in English and having a University diploma"[/quote]

Of course, they have to pass the medial and psychological exams after that, but that's still suprisingly undemanding.

Source.

Beam me up, Scotty.

More than a year after his death resulting from Alzheimer's and pneumonia, Jimmy Doohan, the man who played Mr Scott on Star Trek is finally making it to space.

According to his wife,

[quote]"He finally gets his wish, I can't think of a more fitting send-off than having some of his fans attend this, his final journey."[/quote]

His ashes join those of Timothy Leary and Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry among the stars. On this launch will also be the remains of Star Trek writer John Meredyth Lucas.

I personally always liked Scotty. Not as much as Mr Spock, but those two characters were always the two I really appreciated, especially in a few of the movies. They took their roles and made them into performances.

When he died, it made me sad to think that he will no longer be around, but its good to see him finally make it to space.

Source 1, Source 2.

Steve Wozniak and Buzz Aldrin

So Steve Wozniak, the inventor of the first Apple Computer and Segway Polo enthusiast, and Buzz Aldrin, one of the first men on the moon, are going to the south pole.

As if that wasn't already strange enough, they're driving a Hummer. A Hydrogen-powered Hummer. How fucked up is that?

One of the guys at work said that "it sounds like a bad premise for a buddy movie". And interestingly enough, they're filming it IN 3D for a James Cameron film.

Source