God Wins!

Pope Benedict XVI foresees the final outcome of history.

Exploration Pace Advancing

NASA Administrator Mike Griffin plans to accelerate development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), while an alliance of entrepreneurial firms proposes splitting the Earth-to-orbit vehicle from the exploration vehicle.

Meanwhile, Robert Zimmerman writes of a new colonial age developing in space.

Catholic Bloggers

Valerie Schmalz writes about the Catholic blogging community. (It looks like she plans more articles to follow.)

Liftoff on a Prayer

As the first Thursday in May in America marks both the National Day of Prayer and Space Day, it's interesting to note that space officials in India acknowledge praying to a Hindu deity for a successful satellite launch. I don't know if there is an Indian equivalent of the ACLU ready to sue.

An Adult Approach to Stem Cells

Kathryn Jean Lopez, whom I had the pleasure of meeting briefly once again at last Friday evening's NRO hang-out at the Dubliner in DC, has a good take on the promise of adult stem cells v. the hype about embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic-stem-cell research is not the only hope for mankind, as we are typically led to believe. The prospects of adult-stem-cell and umbilical-cord stem-cell research are repeatedly ignored by media and activists who could use both to promote funding of and research in stem-cell projects and totally avoid the ethical chaos that comes with working with human embryos

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UPDATE: 5/5/05
Keith Cowing has posted a press release describing how some NASA funded research has only further advanced the adult stem cell field.

In addition to its impact on space travel, Regenetech's technology is being explored for human application such as pancreas regeneration, which would cure diabetes, heart regeneration and the regeneration of other human organs. The company has licensed its technology for the treatment of sickle cell disease and Myelodysplastic syndromes.

Launch Delay

The STS-114 Shuttle launch has been delayed from May to July to allow more time to address potential safety issues. Nevertheless, approval has been given for preliminary work to support a possible Shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Hill Battles

Nearly 300 women lobbied for life issues on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, while a House passed parental notification bill moves on to the Senate and the battle over judicial nominees approaches a decisive moment.

NASA Chief Michael Griffin and Hubble

George Whitesides and Gary Barnhard of the National Space Society (NSS) make a well reasoned case for restoring a Shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, contingent upon a successful STS-114 Return to Flight mission.

Philip Morrison, 1915-2005

Philip Morrison, who was a 'founding father' of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), has passed away at the age of 89.

Happy 15th Anniversary, Hubble Space Telescope!


Images from STScI

The HST was launched on April 24, 1990. This Space.com article features two spectacular images released to mark this anniversary.

"...that we will learn to carry one another."
From the homily of Pope Benedict XVI at his Inauguration Mass formally beginning his papacy.

One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even as he loves Christ whom he serves. “Feed my sheep”, says Christ to Peter, and now, at this moment, he says it to me as well. Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer. Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God’s truth, of God’s word, the nourishment of his presence, which he gives us in the Blessed Sacrament. My dear friends – at this moment I can only say: pray for me, that I may learn to love the Lord more and more. Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more – in other words, you, the holy Church, each one of you and all of you together. Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another.

ISS Crew Handover
The Expedition 10 crew has handed over control of the International Space Station (ISS) to the Expedition 11 crew, who will be on hand to greet the STS-114 crew next month (probably) as the Space Shuttle returns to flight.

No Embryonic Boondoggle in Maryland
When the Maryland legislature adjourned its three month annual session last week, it seemed like a three-ring circus with some good and some bad results. Thankfully, a dubious initiative to use Maryland taxpayer dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research did not make it through the process.

For more background on the moral problems with embryonic stem cell research and on more promising ethical alternatives, check out Do No Harm.

Energy Bill and Clock Changes
The House of Representatives has passed an energy bill on Thursday with a provision unrelated to oil-drilling in ANWR and other controversies but that will have a direct effect on daily life.

The bill has some provisions not seen in past energy legislation.

It would expand daylight-saving time by two months. The measure's supporters said that could save the equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil a day. Nobody objected to that provision.

Perhaps it will save 100,000 barrels a day. Or maybe not. Later sunset in March and November also means a later sunrise in those months, which could cut into those savings and raise safety issues for morning commuters and school children.

The bill faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. Perhaps extended daylight saving time is a good idea, but shouldn't this provision see more attention and debate than it's received thus far?

In any event, energy-saving efforts should also include more attention to making outdoor lighting more efficient and less obtrusive.

The Blogging Nun
No, I don't think she's the first nun to blog, but Sister Marianne's blog was started on Holy Saturday, just in time to provide insightful commentary on the momentous events currently happening in the Church and the world.

The New Holy Father

Image link from EWTN

Today's historic ascension of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to become Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th Vicar of Christ, will generate plenty of discussion in the coming days. EWTN now has a page of news and info about the new Pope and his selection. His first words (in Italian) from the balcony over St. Peter's Square:

"Dear brothers and sisters, after our great pope, John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in God's vineyard. I am consoled by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and how to act, even with insufficient tools, and I especially trust in your prayers. In the joy of the resurrected Lord, trustful of his permanent help, we go ahead, sure that God will help. And Mary, his most beloved mother, stands on our side."

An article written by Michael Novak at NRO before the election was announced articulately describes the new Pope's challenge to the world.

For Cardinal Ratzinger, moreover, it is not reason that offers a foundation for faith, but the opposite. Historically, it is Jewish and Christian faith in an intelligent and benevolent Creator that gave birth in the West to trust in reason, humanism, science, and progress, and carried the West far beyond the fatalistic limits of ancient Greece and Rome.

To the meaninglessness of relativism, Ratzinger counter poses respect for the distinctive, incommensurable image of God in every single human being, from the most helpless to the seemingly most powerful, together with a sense of our solidarity with one another in the bosom of our Creator. This fundamental vision of the immortal value both of the individual person and the whole human community in solidarity has been the motor-power, the spiritual dynamic overdrive, of an increasingly global (catholic) civilization.

We Have a Pope!!
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger is now the Pope, taking the name Benedict XVI. He is now appearing on the balcony over St. Peter's Square. This selection does indicate a strong move to carry on the heritage of JPII. Thanks be to God!!

As the Conclave Begins
EWTN has a page with links to news and background info on the election of the next pope.

This is Exciting
Space technology is used to decipher ancient manuscripts that could significantly add to the world's cultural heritage.

Academics have hailed it as a development which could lead to a 20 per cent increase in the number of great Greek and Roman works in existence. Some are even predicting a "second Renaissance".

Another Life Saved
As with Mae Magouirk, the case of Clara Martinez appears to be reaching a happy outcome.