NASA may not be officially launching shuttles or rockets out into space for the time being, but they're not sitting around twiddling their thumbs until the next big space projects are ready. Earlier today, I was tipped off to the Kickstarter for Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond. It's an MMO being made by NASA for the PC and iOS.
Set in the year 2035, it takes place on the fictional Arthur C. Clarke Astronaut Academy Station, described as a sort of "Hogwarts in space." Players will embark on adventures to Mars, the asteroid belt, and space beyond.
It's currently being billed as an adventure game, featuring simulated mission-based space exploration. Players will also be able to advance in careers related to science, technology, engineering and math, allowing them to become more aware of -- and learn in -- those fields.
I've always been supportive of using interactive entertainment for educational purposes, and I hope that this project turns out to be successful. Currently they have raised $13,057, just past half of their listed goal of $25K, with 48 days remaining. You can keep up with the project and any new update postings on the Kickstarter.
Contest:
4:00 PM on 08.25.2011 | 
Anyway, the idea is great and I hope it will turn out well. Always loved the idea of exploring space. And educational as well.
HOGWARTS IN SPACE!!!!
Fuck yeah!!
I'll let that one marinate.
http://questionablecontent.net/spacewizards.html
UUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
However I find if FUCKING aggravating that currently has no active plans for real space travel, and are making a video game instead.
Yeah, I grew up wanting to be an astronaut. I've watched Shuttle landings in the Mojave, Shuttle launches in Florida, and seen the shuttle up close when it was being shipped. A game like this will allow me and others to live out the childhood dreams we had (which currently aren't available in the real world).
I like the game idea, and I would play the shit out of this. I'm just angry that it feels like actual space travel is being replaced with simulated space travel.
NASA awarded a commercial license to the winner of a contest. The developer who won is who's behind the Kickstarter. NASA is helping to oversee the project but they are not directly developing it, and are not solely funding it