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SpaceLand.Net
http://www.spaceland.net/
When you first get into this site, it really feels like you are hovering
over your prospective real estate like Tom Cruise in Far and Away, only
this time, you're really far and away! This company claims to have official
deeds to land on the Moon, Mars and Venus, and is selling it real cheap
right now. Apparently some American (of course) company has claimed supreme
ownership of all the planets and is subdividing. It's a great gift idea
and this English company is very thorough in it's legal clarification,
so the deeds will stand up in a court case. Get in now, buy up big. At
$2.00 an acre, the price can only go up!
Verdict: It's real, it's cool, and it's a great gift idea - SS
NetWorth: ****
Celestial Registry - Name a Star Gift
http://www.star-gift-registry.com/
What a lovely idea eh? You fall in love with someone to the point of being
a stalker, without so much as a glance of acknowledgment. How to get their
attention… buy them a goddamn star! In this rather ugly and annoyingly
fast moving java banner site, you can get a lovely framed certificate
with an official star chart circling one of the quintillion dots of light
up there with the name of the stalkee attached. It all sounds perfect,
until you read the fine print and see that the whole deal is completely
non-official. When your beau finds out, they're gonna smash that stupid
plastic fake wall plaque over your dumb-ass head.
Verdict: You may as well name a pebble after someone, and toss it, and
your wallet, into the sea. - SS
Net Worth: ***
Lease a Piece of the Moon
http://www.atlantic.net/~pjs/
Here we go, another fraudulent attempt to flog some piece of the universe.
This time, it's only a lease! And it's still a fake! For God's sake, if
I give my nephew a chunk of moon for Christmas, I want him to develop
the land at a later date. Imagine the tears, the heartache, when his dream
plot disappears in a puff of smoke as Judge Judy's daughter's gavel falls
in favour of the lucky dude with the "official" papers. It's a real land
grab up there, these novelty gifts just don't cut it. I'd rather buy a
whoopie cushion.
Verdict: Lease a piece of my ass, you charlatans. - SS
NetWorth: *
Lunar Embassy - The Facts about Extraterrestrial Real Estate
http://www.lunarembassy.com/
You have to plan ahead in this life if you want to do well. That's exactly
what Mr Dennis M Hope did, and he now owns the entire solar system!! The
Lunar Embassy is the only company that can officially grant ownership
of extraterrestrial land, so any other company doing it needs their official
documents to prove ownership has been passed on. The marketing machine
is in full swing. Check out the price list on the UniverseShop. T-shirts
$18.95, mugs $10.95, the planet Pluto $250,000!!
Verdict: Accept no substitutes, this is the real scheister. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Lunar Property
http://texusa.com/Moon/
Now here's a twist. Why not flog a piece of the moon off, and bundle it
in with a web site? Yeah! It's actually not a bad gift idea. You can get
your phony certificate and send it to someone you love to hate, and do
them a little web page saying something really witty like, "happy birthday
from Uranus!" ha ha ha. That'll be $29.95US thanks! ker-ching!!
Verdict: Now where do you think your friend will want to stick that title
deed? - SS
NetWorth: ***
Name a Star - International Star Registry, London
http://www.starregistry.co.uk/
Back in 1979, a very nice Canadian farmer looked up in the sky and wished
he could name a star after his daughter. He made a few inquiries and found
that he couldn't, so he made a few more inquiries and arranged it so that
he could. Word spread of this wonderful gesture, to the point that there
are now 750,000 stars officially named after people, organisations and
corporations. This is the real thing, and a pretty big venture it is too.
There are about 99,999.25 million known stars to go, so start registering!
Verdict: When you wish upon a star, your ego may inflate by far. - SS
NetWorth: ****
CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales)
http://www.cnes.fr/
Luckily this French site has an English version (well, partially, anyway).
Au contraire to what you might think after watching a few too many Hollywood
movies and CNN news reports, Europe has a pretty extensive space program.
X-ray telescopes, space stations, Mars science stations and countless
satellite launches put to rest any ideas that NASA is the beginning and
the end of space programs. It's all detailed here, but unfortunately the
cool educational stuff and meaty bits are all frogs legs and snails.
Verdict: They are so arrogant, aren't they? - SS
NetWorth: ***
JPL Software Archive
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/archive/software.html
Here is a nice little array of cool downloadable files for space nuts.
Planetariums, Motion Simulators, Shuttle and Satellite Trackers all allow
you to be one step closer to feeling more in touch with the heavens above.
Not quite as good as being there, but they're working on it for you. After
you're done downloading, follow the link back to the jpl.nasa home page
for some fascinating detailed info of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and
Solar System piccies.
Verdict: Not bad, but how many cool little app's can a person's hard drive
take? - SS
NetWorth: ***
Space Telescope Science Institute Home Page
http://www.stsci.edu/
You've heard about the Hubble Telescope a thousand times on TV, mainly
because it's got a cute sounding name that news readers can pronounce,
but really this baby is a beauty. The site is a full run down of the specs,
the missions, the mission statement, and of course the awesome pictures
from this and a few other giant lenses. It's really quite mind-blowing
what's out there, and almost as incredible that we mere specs of universal
dust have managed to get such good photos of it all. Still no aliens though.
Verdict: Hubba Bubba! - SS
NetWorth: *****
NASA Human Space Flight
http://shuttle.nasa.gov/
What started off as a cool concept of sending the same vehicle in and
out of the atmosphere has grown into a global effort of cosmic proportions.
This site is the home base for the entire international space station
program, and is constantly updated as the world builds a very large floating
research centre. The resources available here are extensive, with history,
media releases, fact sheets, real time reports and cameras, and a whole
lot more in a compact design with lots of nice mouse-over menu action.
You will feel like one of those NASA staff members watching a monitor
in the big control room, which, in a way, you now are.
Verdict: Hail NASA, hail space station, hail the human race! - SS
NetWorth: *****
Shuttle Countdown Online
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/countdown.html
Separate, but not completely unrelated to the previous site, here is a
dedicated countdown arena, where everything relating to Space Shuttle
flights is detailed and updated. Cargo, weather, technical info, past
shuttle missions, along with video feeds, photo library and heaps of reference
material make this a well spring for students, teachers or anyone interested
in space flight. One day you could be on this mission, so it might pay
to get a good understanding of what is involved as the launch time approaches.
Verdict: 5...4...3...2...1... Bookmark!! - SS
NetWorth: *****
NASA Spacelink - An Aeronautics & Space Resource for Educators
http://spacelink.nasa.gov/.index.html
More NASA, this time dedicated to those in charge of rounding up unruly
youngsters and trying to fill their minds with something more useful than
MTV and grunge music. There is, naturally, a huge stockpile of stuff here
to access. Without this site, the space program's budget would be just
that little harder to justify to congress. Material to fill a couple of
good years of your students' school life is contained within these invisible
walls. If you think you might stay in the teaching game past your second
nervous breakdown, you can subscribe to a mailing list to receive regular
updates.
Verdict: You've just hit lesson plan pay dirt! - SS
NetWorth: *****
Go Ariane
http://www.go-ariane.com/
Just like celebrities have fans who construct web shrines in their honour,
so space programs attract similar flattery, inspiring this particular
fan's imagination to create quite a worthy tribute to the galactic action
east of NASA. The design of the site is a little clunky, but the content
is quite impressive. It is updated regularly and has a large collection
of archives and other material like technical data, history, contracts
and news. With no affiliations here, there is no bias or propaganda, just
a great place to find out about past present and future space projects.
Verdict: One small web for mankind, one giant undertaking for this man
- SS
NetWorth: ****
Norsk Romsenter
http://www.spacecentre.no/
It seems every country in the world has got some kind of space thing happening
these days. Norway has a particular need with its close proximity to the
polar ice cap. They really need to get up high and check out the rugged
terrain below, as well as improve communication through the use of satellites.
An extensive push by the government to improve business opportunities
has led to a broad program that puts Norway up with the best of them (nearly)
in the space race. Read all about it here in this straight forward and
easy to read site.
Verdict: Oslo, we have no problem. - SS
NetWorth: ****
SatelLife
http://www.healthnet.org/
Here is a very valuable grass roots result of the existence of a space
program. SatelLife is a non-profit organisation dedicated to using satellite
technology to improve communication and health care in third world countries
or disaster-struck areas. The potential for a well-managed system of information
exchange to improve quality of life around the world is tremendous. Doctors
and nurses in remote areas can access new info, talk to other professionals
across the globe, on-line conferences can be held, news of worsening situations
can travel fast and far to get faster response. It makes the whole space
thing seem that little bit more worthwhile.
Verdict: At last, a tangible benefit to the non-rich of this world. -
SS
NetWorth ****
'Stroids
http://www.mindspring.com/~tluthman/stroids.htm
Just a little bit of fun, this guy has dedicated a small page to those
chunks of rock floating around out there. Taking the same angle as those
space estate agents, but not really offering anything, you just get to
read about a couple of prime lumps of charcoal and surf on to the next
site you might have been heading to. Maybe you can do a better job. Have
a go.
Verdict: About as valuable as a lump of rock. - SS
NetWorth: **
The Martian Consulate, L.L.C. -- Earth's Exclusive Claim Registry For
Martian Real Estate
http://www.martianconsulate.com/home.html
I don't know how this works, because the Lunar Embassy has claimed exclusive
rights to the entire universe, but here is an "official" legal place to
buy land on Mars. You'll get your 1 square mile of land, certificate and
a plat of survey for $29.95, or 3 for $59.95. To feel that little bit
more in touch with your investment, why not throw in a coffee mug and
t-shirt?
Verdict: I'd suggest you contact a solicitor first. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Views of the Solar System
http://bang.lanl.gov/solarsys/eng/homepage.htm
Thanks to the Hawaiian Astronomical Society, this vivid display of every
thing within our little speck in the universe is quite a delight to peruse.
One by one, you can look at each planet, the sun, asteroids, meteorites
and comets. Different views are offered ranging from filtered stills highlighting
different aspects, to movies showing planetary activity, and more detailed
studies of each body. There are heaps of specs, historical info, and astronomer
biographies. It's like each element of our complex solar system has been
singled out and honoured just for being there. Fair enough, too. It's
all quite awe-inspiring.
Verdict: The ultimate neighbourhood watch scheme. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Sky And Telescope Magazine
http://www.skypub.com/
This is the Internet representation of a publication, which, like the
one you are reading, is printed on processed wood pulp. It would be an
astronomer's dream to get this baby in the mail box regularly, but until
you do, there is quite a lot to do and see here. This week's sky at a
glance tells you what to look out for up there, while tips, news, imaging
and resources will have you salivating for the hard copy. Once you read
the overview of the contents of the latest issue, it will be almost impossible
not to subscribe. Stay up to date, and informed of the very latest developments
in the space station project, Hubble and some spectacular images.
Verdict: The title sounds very Poindexter, but the content is out of this
world. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Nebula: UFOs, Aliens, Flying Saucers, Roswell, Area 51, Extraterrestrials,
Sightings and More
http://www.parascope.com/nebula.htm
Parascope is like an ongoing web version of that TV show, "The Extraordinary".
Mysteries and inexplicable occurrences are delved into with relish. In
nebula, the subject is Aliens and UFO's. It's amazing how there can be
so much to write about without one single alien or UFO actually being
proven to exist. This site really digs deep, though, since the UFO "community"
is a big thirsty beast, looking for anything remotely interesting to speculate
about. There are heaps of funny pictures of big-eyed, slit-mouthed people
with rumours and gossip aplenty. Hardly scientific, though, but then without
a shred of real data or evidence, how could they be?
Verdict: I think I'll wait until I have an actual close encounter. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Reptilian Aliens
http://www.reptoids.com/
Hailing itself as "the worlds first site studying the reptilian image
within the UFO phenomena", Reptoids takes the whole thing very seriously.
The basic premise is that all our abduction and close encounter stories
can be explained thus: Dinosuars weren't completely wiped out. They continued
to evolve to humanoid forms underground, and only come out occasionally
to either meet and greet, or eat the meat of humans. It is argued that
we must learn to understand rather than fear these creatures. In ancient
times, these lizard people were looked on as Gods, with their superior
intelligence and strength. We need to prepare for their "coming out" so
to speak, and together we can make this world a truly wonderful place.
Verdict: Which chapter is this? Space or Loonies?. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Aliens - The Anchorpoint Essays
http://www.geocities.com/~thedus/
At least this site admits to being a work of pure fiction. Based on the
Aliens movie series, we are taken through a complete scientific study
of the creatures, in quite impressive detail. It's easy to see how with
such good imagination, others could fabricate equally convincing evidence
about alleged extra-terrestrials. The life cycle from egg to queen is
explained along with detailed journeys through all the different facets
of the creature as explained in the movies. If this were a site about
an actual creature, it would win Nobel prizes. As it is, it may only win
your approval as you marvel at the effort involved in creating all the
graphics, pages, text and data to build this amazing work.
Verdict: If only it was true. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Aliens and Soul Abduction
http://www.cia.com.au/brough/
Sydney based Andrew gives us this dire warning and advice about Alien
abduction. It seems poor Andrew has had a few nasty things happen to him
on a regular basis. He can't explain exactly who or what is conducting
these intrusions into his otherwise completely normal life, but he has
been forced to learn a few tactics of defence that he is willing to impart
to you, for your own good. The "Grey's" as he calls them seem to enjoy
harassing him at every available opportunity, but somehow, I think the
only thing bothering our Andrew is an over-sensitivity to the effects
of a certain herbal weed.
Verdict: Another case of wrong chapter, I think! - SS
NetWorth: ***
The First Millenial Foundation
http://www.millennial.org/
Science meets fiction in this extraordinary project to colonise the entire
universe with trillions of humans. With an astounding vision for technology
to achieve all kinds of things like creating new continents, the FMF proposes
some pretty huge developments on earth in preparation for applying the
technology elsewhere. Personally, I think we should just wait for the
aliens to come and show us what they've got, but the premise here is that
there are no aliens, we are alone in the universe, therefore it is our
duty to spread our seed as far as we can. I think we've probably gone
far enough already, it would be nice to fix up our own backyard before
destroying other planets. Plenty of food for thought here, and some amazing
technological concepts.
Verdict: Just what the universe needs, a plague of humans. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/
Founded in 1980 by students at MIT and Princeton, SEDS is dedicated to
nurturing an enthusiasm and enlightenment in young people about the benefits
of leaving the atmosphere. By being organised and having a strong educational
element in their activities (and this web site) SEDS has the ability to
influence space programs by offering suggestions and supporting the carrying
out of experiments and activities by others. Abounding in links, data,
graphics and ideas, the youthful exuberance here is a delight to browse,
and is enough to convince anyone that humanity is heading in some kind
of right direction.
Verdict: Space, the final frontier. - SS
NetWorth: *****
National Space Society of Australia
http://www.nssa.com.au/
Formed in association with, and in allegiance to the American societies,
the NSSA is our local chapter for supporting, promoting and believing
in the future of the space race. The site itself is a little under construction
and not up there in the eye-candy department, but there is plenty to see
and do. Membership gives you access to conferences, a regular magazine,
and the opportunity to be involved in plenty of activity aimed at lobbying
government and schools to get behind space research, building an appropriately
educated and funded talent pool for the needs of the future.
Verdict: Lost in space Oz syle. - SS
NetWorth: ***
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