OnSputnik

Backlit by Earth's "day time" light, NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus, STS-135 mission specialist, gets one last visit to the Cupola onboard the International Space Station. on July 18, 2011. Photo credit: NASA S135-E-009337(18 July 2011) -- high res (0.7 M) low res (69 K)

Apollo's Children is a poem written in the future to the Heroes of Apollo, both those who went to the Moon and those who made it happen. It is a thankyou from the perspective of those who they inspired, who will follow in their footsteps and who will push onwards and outwards in their name.

NASA has released the NASA Visualization Explorer, "the coolest way to get stories about NASA's space-based Earth science research. Download it now and see a world of often intangible data brought to life in stunning and beautiful form. Only for the iPad." Download

NASA today debuts an inspirational video featuring the International Space Station and its crews set to the song "World" by recording artists Five for Fighting. The video features imagery of both the space station and the space shuttles that have served as the workhorses of space station construction and resupply. It uses selections from orbit as well as Earth-bound training and launch activities to communicate the importance of space exploration and its benefits for future generations. Intermixed are selections of video that show the beauty of planet Earth as seen from the space station and scenes of children inspired by space exploration. The lyrics emphasize that "history starts now" and invite listeners to ask the question, "What kind of world do you want?"

U2 delivered a surprise to the crowds at Quest Field, Seattle last night with a video message from Commander Mark E. Kelly. Bono dedicated 'Beautiful Day' to Gabby Giffords, before asking, "Imagine a man looking down on us from 200 miles up. Looking down at our beautiful crowded planet... What would he say to us...? What is on your mind Commander Kelly?"