"Spacemen" not needed.

A guy named Jamie Jones tried to sell NASA the idea for using Coke and Mentos to shoot rockets into space. He also applied for a job as a "spaceman." Neither worked out.

NASA job interview

—"Last question: Where does space energy come from?"

—"Er . . . um . . . Sugar Smacks?" *laughs weakly*

—"You're hired."

Via.

The Coolest Water Balloon Video in the History of the World

NPR’s Talk of the Nation posted what is apparently the coolest water balloon video in the history of the world. (I know, that’s sort of a grandiose statement given that water balloons weren’t even invented until the 21st century.)

In it, mechanical engineers Mark Weislogel (of Portland State University) and Seth Lichter pop water balloons on NASA's low-gravity training aircraft nicknamed the “Vomit Comet.” Four years ago, NASA announced that crews kept track of the amount of astronaut vomit cleaned up in the jet over the years. The total was over 285 gallons. Sounds like Mr. Lichter may have added to that. (Sorry, can’t embed the video; click on the picture below to follow the link.)
Yes, this teaches us very important aspects of physics; as one observer noted, “In addition to the surface tension observations, it appeared they were doing some quick & dirty trials on fluid collision behavior—” Ooh, another one popped!

"Mission Control? Let's play two out of three."

Since chess requires substantial concentration, I enjoy photos of people playing chess under unusual circumstances. The prize-winner in this category used to be the kids who played chess on Daredevil Falls. (Yep, the pieces were magnetic.)

But NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff now takes the prize for most otherworldly locale for a chess match: the International Space Station. Since it's hard to find good opponents in outer space (what, you think Russian cosmonauts can play? Please!), his opponent is Mission Control.
Yes, the pieces are magnetic. And actually, make that Mission Controls, as there are four of them (in the US, Russia, Japan, and Germany). Versions of the current chess game are maintained at all sites, and scientists at each of them can make moves. (Below is Houston’s flight controller Chris Edelen playing into the astronaut's hands.)

Chamitoff thought the games might be a good way to build an esprit de corps with the teams. But since he won the first game, Chamitoff may want to consider what would happen if he regularly drubs the Earthsiders.

“Mission control, do you read? I repeat, mission control, Mayday—”

The latest board positions of game two is to the left (Mission Control is playing black); NASA's coverage of chess in space is here.