On our last weblin live ride we explored the outer space, the history of its human explorers and problems we face from these adventures. That mankind reaches to the stars gives us not only a better understanding of our planet and pushed our science, it also created a belt of space rubbish around our planet- the debris.

So at first we visited the nasa and explored on their interactive animated page spacecraft history. You can travel there through the decades with lots of fun and informative animations and clips:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/mmgallery/index.html

After we explored the history we visited the ISS, the International Space Station. You can see how astronauts live in space, when you follow the link and click on the right interactive features.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

We were wondering about astronauts eating in space and also explored how the astronauts toilets work.

You can track the ISS on the nasa page or here, if you would like to see if the fast running point is currently above your sky.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7327655.stm

After this exciting historical exploration we had a look into a possible future. The Manga – Planetes – bases its plot around a spaceship collecting the debris as it got a hazzard for future space travel.

And here are also some more background informations on the debris in this „self-made“ show:

After this overview on the debris topic we had a look at Debris Research Department of the European Space Agency (ESA). There we had a look at the debris accumulation of the last decades.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMHDJXJD1E_FeatureWeek_0.html

This research institute also published a report on the damages debris can cause to spaceships.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMZL0P256E_FeatureWeek_0.html

Or also aeroplanes, as the Sydney Moning Herald reported:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/WORLD/Space-junk-closely-misses-plane/2007/03/29/1174761608418.html

For our last stop we returned to the NASA in order to explore the scientific knowledge gained though spacecraft and sattelites. Especially, these technologies helped to map the impact of climate change by mapping the melting ice caps or changes in landscapes due to rising sea levels.

So have a look at the climate time machine of the NASA:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/mmgallery/index.html

The topic of the effects of climate change on the antarctis will be also our topic on the 26th of October 2008 when we explore virtually the Antarctic.