Tech start-ups often have to go out of their way to attract new software developers, typically by offering such perks as signing bonuses or the promise of free food and beer.

Santa Monica company PaeDae, an advertising monetization platform for online and mobile apps, is aiming a bit higher.

In an effort to land a top-notch developer, the start-up is offering a $5,000 cash signing bonus, a charitable donation to a nonprofit -- and the chance to win a trip to space.

We recognize that the pool of quality candidates is small and its hard to attract top talent, said Rob Emrich, PaeDae's co-founder and chief executive. So we thought, What is the coolest thing we could possibly offer to our next hire? and low-level orbit sounded pretty ... cool."

But there's a catch (well, a couple). First, the developer will be under a three-month probationary period, after which time he or she will be eligible for the Space Flight Challenge.

The challenge involves one hand of single-deck blackjack, with the new employee being dealt two random cards. If a blackjack is hit, he or she will win a trip to space or $200,000, which is the current cost of the trip.

"If not, they still get to keep their job and the $5,000 signing bonus," the company said.

We crunched the numbers here at The Times, and found that there's only a 4.83% chance of hitting a natural blackjack. But still, a trip to space!

Developers can apply for the position at the company's website; top candidates will then be chosen to compete in a programming challenge.

PaeDae was founded in 2011. Besides its Santa Monica headquarters, it also has offices in New York, San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio.

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Start-up offers software developer chance to win space flight

Being the bearer of bad tidings is not a role that members of Congress relish.

During this season of bad news for federal employees, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) plans to meet with workers at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt on Tuesday. The picture he will paint is bleak.

Joe Davidson

Joe Davidson writes the Federal Diary, a column about the federal workplace that celebrated its 80th birthday in November 2012. Davidson previously was an assistant city editor at The Washington Post and a Washington and foreign correspondent with The Wall Street Journal, where he covered federal agencies and political campaigns.

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The largest federal union plans 100 rallies against the sequester, outside of federal offices next week.

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Hoyer to address federal workers at Goddard Space Flight Center

Skylab - Orbiter Space Flight Simulator 2010
Skylab was a space station launched and operated by NASA and was the U.S. #39;s first space station. Skylab orbited the Earth from 1973 to 1979, and included a w...

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Skylab - Orbiter Space Flight Simulator 2010 - Video

Linda Posey -- Marshall Space Flight Center
Linda Posey is a team lead for the Shuttle-Ares Transition Office at NASA #39;s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Appointed to the position in 200...

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WASHINGTON, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has selected three companies to provide engineering solutions and products to Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

The companies are Radiance Technologies, Inc. and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., and Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Houston.

The performance-based, cost-reimbursement fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts have a potential value of $350 million. The contracts have a five-year performance period with a minimum order quantity value of $1 million.

Under the contract, the three companies will compete to provide engineering solutions and products for design, development, test, evaluation, operations and training in support of MSFC flight projects, human and robotic exploration, science and technology development, future programs/projects, and other MSFC organizations that have similar needs.

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US government red tape threatens to deprive the fledgling space-flight community of important technical insights

ONE of the more unorthodox ornaments that adorns New Scientist's London office is a large model of an inflatable space station that might one day be put into Earth orbit. Not long ago, a film-maker wanted to borrow it. We were fine with that, as was its inventor. But the views of another party had to be considered too: the US Department of State.

The reason? US anti-arms trafficking rules extend to information about space flight equipment. The model had to be judged for its relevance to, say, North Korea's rocket programme.

This example might seem absurd, but the rules can have more serious consequences. It may prevent SpaceX from fully describing the difficulties that beset its Dragon cargo capsule last week, for example (see "SpaceX glitch may be deemed secret under US arms laws"), thus depriving the space-flight community of technical insights. Those planning to send a couple to Mars, who may need SpaceX to lift off, face many stiff challenges (see "Solve four big problems to get people to Mars by 2018"). Knee-jerk secrecy should not be among them.

Our friendly film-maker did eventually get the green light. Let's hope those working with the real thing can cut through the red tape too.

This article appeared in print under the headline "Gagging for space secrets"

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Don't let US knee-jerk secrecy slow down space flight

Orbiter Space Flight Simulator: Round-Trip Earth to Moon without Time Warp (Ep: 001)
In this series, we will be going from the Earth to the Moon and back without using time warp, and we are also restricting the view to the 3D cockpit while the vehicle is in operation. This is probably going to turn into a vlog. Orbiter Website: orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk

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Orbiter Space Flight Simulator: Round-Trip Earth to Moon without Time Warp (Ep: 001) - Video

Space Flight 2! (Dead Space 3 LP - Chapter 7)
Part 10 of my Dead Space 3 Let #39;s Play. Chapter 7. Well the recording turned out better than expected. Although, there are still a couple glitches.

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Space Flight 2! (Dead Space 3 LP - Chapter 7) - Video

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Huntsville had a very special visitor on Friday. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden stopped by the Rocket City for a tour of Marshall Space Flight Center. Bolden applauded Marshall for using cutting-edge techniques such as a piece of machinery that is used in selective laser melting, similar to 3-D printing. The melting allows metal parts to be produced without welding. Its one of many processes that Bolden says helps cut time and costs.

Were looking at an additive manufacturing process, said Bolden. Marshall is one of the centers in NASA that does this. Were trying to find ways to do things we need and components more efficiently, cheaper and quicker.

Bolden toured the Advanced Manufacturing Facility. He says he was impressed with the techniques that are being utilized to create engine parts for the Space Launch System. He says that Marshall Space Flight Center plays a big role in SLS and is leading the way on many projects.

Were also looking at things that can be done such as, how can we take this room, put it on a spacecraft, and take it with you, said Bolden. That would be so that if something breaks you can do what theyre doing (here at Marshall) on your way to Mars.

Bolden says he loves the Rocket City and he enjoys spending time in Huntsville.

People that live here should know that Marshall is an integral part of NASA, he said. Its who we are, to be quite honest.

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NASA Administrator Visits Marshall Space Flight Center

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - If there is a bright spot to the automatic spending cuts set go to into effect next week, it's that NASA doesn't appear to be in the crosshairs.

During a speech today at the Washington Update Luncheon at the Von Braun Center, Brooks spoke in encouraging terms when asked what impact the budget cuts, known as sequestration, would have on Marshall Space Flight Center.

Brooks began his answer by saying he had breakfast today with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, who talked recently with Robert Lightfoot - the former director of Marshall who last year was promoted to associate administrator at NASA.

"I think Marshall, based on the information I'm getting from Mayor Battle and elsewhere, is going to survive sequestration a little bit better than most of the centers around the country," Brooks said. "Time will tell if that's the way it plays out."

It puts NASA in a somewhat unique position, given that the space agency has been a target in recent years of budget cuts and canceled programs.

The apparent sequestration reprieve, however, shouldn't be misunderstood as full Congressional endorsement, Brooks said.

"The short time I've been in Congress, I have noticed a disturbing trend that the budget for NASA is getting harder and harder to sustain it or even keep it from dropping too much," said Brooks, who began his second term in the House last month.

"That's a reflection again of the big picture of the deficit and debt and what's going to be cut and what's not going to be cut."

Brooks said he will continue to work with the Alabama delegation, particularly Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, to fight for NASA funding.

"I'm going to continue to work with Senators Sessions and Shelby to try to continue a program that has done such wonders for American exceptionalism, for advancement of American knowledge and advancement of technology with all the spin-offs that have helped the economy," Brooks said.

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Marshall Space Flight Center may feel minimal hit from sequestration, Rep. Mo Brooks said

WASHINGTON -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will see some of the cutting-edge techniques being used to create parts for the engines of the Space Launch System (SLS) during a visit to the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., on Friday, Feb. 22. SLS is America's next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle -- the most powerful rocket ever built.

Bolden will tour the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing Rapid Prototyping Facility in Building 4707 at Marshall at 12:30 p.m. CST (1:30 p.m. EST). He will join John Vickers, manager of NASA's National Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and others for a look at the equipment used in selective laser melting, which is similar to 3-D printing. Laser melting is enabling the production of complex, strong metal parts without welding, while reducing manufacturing time and costs.

News media interested in attending the tour should contact Jennifer Stanfield in Marshall's Public and Employee Communications Office at 256-544-0034 no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21.

Journalists must report to the Redstone Arsenal Joint Visitor Control Center at Gate 9, Interstate 565 interchange at Rideout Road/Research Park Boulevard, no later than noon Friday. Vehicles are subject to a security search at the gate. News media representatives will need two photo identifications and proof of car insurance.

For more information about NASA's Space Launch System, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/sls

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NASA Administrator Tours Marshall Space Flight Center Advanced Manufacturing Facility

Joe and space flight, Pope Benedict #39;s abdication, etc. 11 Feb 2013.mov
Joe describes his day watching space launches (two of them), a space docking, and the UK Parliament, and Pope Benedict #39;s abdication.

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Joe and space flight, Pope Benedict's abdication, etc. 11 Feb 2013.mov - Video

Dead Space 3 Walkthrough Part 5: Space Flight - Gameplay Commentary
Feeling adventurous enough to return the favor? Leave a like, comment, or join me and others like yourself (subscribe)! Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com Twitter: twitter.com Intro to Dead Space 101: Dead Space 3 is a Third-Person Shooter with Survival-Horror gameplay elements that challenges players to work singly, or with a friend to stop the viral/monster Necromorph outbreak. The game features the return of franchise hero, Isaac Clarke and the necessity of his weapons making abilities and precision skill in using them against in order to defeat enemies. Other game features include, drop-in/out co-op support, the additional character John Carver, evolved Necromorph enemies, a new cover system, side missions, and more. Dead Space 3 brings Isaac Clarke and merciless soldier, John Carver, on a journey across space to discover the source of the Necromorph outbreak. Crash-landed on the frozen planet of Tau Volantis, the pair must comb the harsh environment for raw materials and scavenged parts. Isaac will then put his engineering skills to the ultimate test to create and customize weapons and survival tools. The ice planet holds the key to ending the Necromorph plague forever, but first the team must overcome avalanches, treacherous ice-climbs, and the violent wilderness. Facing deadlier evolved enemies and the brutal elements, the unlikely pair must work together to save mankind from the impending apocalypse. Dun dun dun.

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Dead Space 3 Walkthrough Part 5: Space Flight - Gameplay Commentary - Video

MOOSE JAW, Sask. - The dream of blasting off into space could actually come true for a science teacher in Moose Jaw, Sask., with some help from his friends.

It sounds like a lofty goal for 37-year-old Stephen Lys, but when a Facebook ad pointed him to an online contest for a trip to space he thought it was too good to pass up.

Now he is in the top 20 Canadian contestants in the Axe Apollo Space Academy contest after creating a Facebook persona called the Saskatchanaut.

He says it's more important to him than just winning a contest for tickets to a rock concert he sees it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And he's not there yet. First, Lys has to earn enough votes between now and August to make it as one of the top two contestants in all of Canada.

He says that's why he created "the Saskatchanaut."

I thought people would get behind a character more than theyd get behind just some guy, he said.

If Lys is one of the top two votegetters, he will progress to space camp in Orlando, Fla., and if he does well there, he might just end up being chosen to go into space.

The contest is being run by Axe, a company that produces men's grooming products. The space flight will be managed by SXC, a space tourism company.

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Moose Jaw science teacher creates 'Saskatchanaut' for space flight contest

TOUCH SPACE FLIGHT: Insurance solutions for an ambitious industry
As one of the pioneers of space insurance, Munich Re has been the industry #39;s first choice for over 30 years. Our Space Department offers the ideal combination of experienced experts in the fields of technology and insurance. In this video, our aerospace experts present the challenges and opportunities involved and describe the solutions we can provide for satellite insurance covers.

By: Munich Re

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TOUCH SPACE FLIGHT: Insurance solutions for an ambitious industry - Video

COMBO - This combination of two photos obtained from the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, shows, left, an Iranian technician holding a monkey that Iran claims rode an Iranian rocket into space, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, and right, an undated image of an Iranian technician holding a monkey which had been prepared to ride an Iranian rocket into space, in an undisclosed location in Iran. One of two official packages of photos of Iran's famed simian space traveler released to media depicted the wrong monkey--with a distinctive mole over its right eye--but a senior Iranian space official confirmed Saturday that a primate really did fly into space and returned safely to Earth. (AP Photo/ ISNA, Borna Ghasemi, Mohammad Agah)

Published: Monday, February 4, 2013, 7:00p.m. Updated: Monday, February 4, 2013

WASHINGTON The United States expressed doubt on Monday about Iran's claim that it safely returned a monkey from space, saying it is questionable that the monkey survived or that the flight happened at all.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said a lot of questions remained about whether the monkey that they reportedly sent up into space and reportedly came down was actually the same monkey, whether he survived. She noted, The monkey that they showed later ... was missing a little wart.

Tehran blamed the confusion on media for using a photo of a backup monkey. It insisted a monkey orbited and returned safely.

Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astronomer, believes Iran's claim that the monkey space flight was real, and says the simian with the mole died during a failed space mission in 2011.

Washington worries the Iranian program may be cover for long-range missile development.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, volunteered to be his country's first astronaut, I'm ready to ... go into space, he said on Monday.

Nuland described Ahmadinejad's decision as an interesting choice, while Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., tweeted: Wasn't he just there last week?

When his tweet generated criticism, McCain told his followers, Lighten up folks, can't everyone take a joke.

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Monkey tricks? Washington skeptical of Iran’s simian space flight

Creech St Michael teenager in space flight competition

6:30am Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Daniel Milligan

A TEENAGER with a keen interest in space hopes to book his flight into the atmosphere by winning a global competition.

Creech St Michael's Chris Nation is currently 130th out of 20,000 applicants from the UK hoping to be jetted off with astronauts into space.

The 19-year-old became fascinated by space when he was young thanks to Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear and has travelled to Tanzania with friends to sleep under the stars.

The former Heathfield and Richard Huish student said it would be dream come true if he won.

He said: When I saw the competition I thought 'I have to go for it'.

If I know there is going to be a meteor shower then I will stay up and watch it.

I know it is quite an unusual interest but I have a few friends that also have a similar interest.

Very few people get the chance to look at Earth from space so it would be amazing if I got that opportunity.

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Creech St Michael teenager in space flight competition

GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Earth NetworksSM, the owner of WeatherBug and operator of the largest weather, lightning detection and climate observation networks, announces it will be delivering lightning data from its total lightning detection network to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). The data will aid Wallops personnel in decision making and will help ensure range safety during aircraft operations and rocket launches, including upcoming cargo missions to support the International Space Station. Located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Wallops is NASA's principal facility for the management and implementation of suborbital research programs.

Data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network will provide Wallops with detailed information on the location and intensity of both in-cloud (IC) and cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning in real time. In-cloud lightning comprises the vast majority of lightning activity in the atmosphere and oftenserves as a precursor to extreme weather conditions that include heavy rain and hail, high wind and gust fronts, dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning strikes and tornadoes. Total lightning data will be used to enhance situational awareness and provide severe weather warnings with increased lead times. The Earth Networks Total Lightning Network consists of hundreds of broadband, terrestrial weather sensors deployed worldwide and is the largest and most advanced network for monitoring in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning.

The ongoing integration of advanced technology within Wallops Flight Facility continues to be a priority, says Mark Lamberson, Range Operations Manager, LJT & Associates, which holds the Range Operations Contract at the facility. Having the best tools available enhances operational decision making and safeguards personnel and assets by ensuring range safety during launches and support operations. Access to total lightning data is expected to enable Wallops to deliver on its mission to support research, scientific missions and commercial launch activity.

The news marks another major contract win for Earth Networks to support the federal government. The company announced in August its selection as the primary provider of total lightning data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA and NWS are using data in operations and in research to advance severe weather forecasting and warning applications.

The contract includes the use of Earth Networks StreamerRTSM weather visualization tool for monitoring lightning and severe weather in real time. StreamerRT is used across industries and all levels of government to track conditions at local, regional, national and international levels for critical decision making, and can be configured to provide numerous customized views from nearly 100 layers of weather information and severe weather alerts.

Our agreement with LJT & Associates at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility further demonstrates the importance of total lightning detection in aerospace and aviation, says Earth Networks President and CEO Bob Marshall. As a private company, we have made a considerable investment in deploying the largest and most sophisticated total lightning network on Earth today. By forming strong public-private partnerships with federal government agencies such as NOAA, NIST and now NASA, the public sector benefits from our technology and the data from our networks. We are delighted that other organizations, both in the U.S. and around the world, are choosing solutions from Earth Networks to meet their mission-critical needs.

Visit http://www.earthnetworks.com/Products/TotalLightningNetwork to learn more about the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network.

About Earth Networks - WeatherBug

For 20 years, Earth NetworksSMhas been Taking the Pulse of the Planet with the worlds largest weather observation, lightning detection, and greenhouse gas monitoring networks and is establishing a network for collecting data within the planetary boundary layer. The companys popular WeatherBugwebsite,desktop applicationandmobileapps for smartphones provide real-time neighborhood-level weather and advanced severe weather alerts to millions of consumers. Enterprise solutions from Earth Networks enable organizations and markets, including energy and utilities, agriculture, schools, sports and recreation, emergency operations and government entities, to safeguard lives, prepare for weather and climate events and improve business operations.Founded in 1993, Earth Networks (www.earthnetworks.com) is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with additional locations in Mountain View, Calif.; New York, NY; Milan, Italy and a local presence in 50 countries worldwide.

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NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility to Use Earth Networks’ Total Lightning Data and Weather ...

Star Crusier - Space Flight
Here is another song Game: Star Cruiser Song: Space Flight Composer: Toshiya Yamanaka Be sure to watch rate my other recompositions and videos, and do comment if desired. Also follow me on Twitter: twitter.com hoP3 u 3njOY!!

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Star Crusier - Space Flight - Video

UPDATE: New Date for SLS F-1 Hot Fire Media Opportunity

What: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., has started a new series of test firings of the gas generator in the F-1 engine. NASA and industry will use the information gathered from the series of F-1 engine tests to develop new advanced propulsion systems to take humans beyond low-Earth orbit on the Space Launch System, a new heavy-lift launch vehicle managed at Marshall.

The F-1 engine launched the Saturn V rocket that sent humans to the moon. The gas generator is the part of the engine responsible for supplying power to drive the giant F-1 turbopump. The gas generator components are often among the first parts designed on a new rocket engine because they are key components for determining the engine's size. A Marshall engineering team removed gas generators from an F-1 engine stored at Marshall, and another from an engine stored at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington that was in near-pristine condition. Test conductors will use modern instrumentation to record new information and data during the test firing of the refurbished gas generator.

When & Where: Thursday, Jan. 24

12:45 p.m. CT - Arrive at Redstone Arsenal Joint Visitor Center at Gate 9

1:00 p.m. CT - See F-1 engines at the Propulsion Research Development Lab and gain insight into the significance of the testing series

2:00 p.m. - Witness a real-time firing of the F-1 Gas Generator at the Test Stand 116

To attend: News media interested in attending the event should contact Kim Henry in Marshall's Public & Employee Communications Office at 256-544-0034 no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. Media must report to the Redstone Arsenal Joint Visitor Center at Gate 9, Interstate 565 interchange at Rideout Road/Research Park Boulevard at 12:45 p.m. Vehicles are subject to a security search at the gate. News media will need two photo identifications and proof of car insurance.

For more information on NASA's Space Launch System, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/sls

For more information on the F-1 engine, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/f1_engine_new.html

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Rocket Testing Heats Up at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center for Space Launch System