On Being Human: Blog

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:51:51 GMT

Coco Chanel biographyCoco Chanel (Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel)
From her first millinery shop, opened in 1912, to the 1920s, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel rose to become one of the premier fashion designers in Paris, France. Replacing the corset with comfort and casual elegance, her fashion themes included simple suits and dresses, women's trousers, costume jewelry, perfume and textiles.

She claimed a birthdate of 1893 and a birthplace of Auvergne; she was actually born in 1883 in Saumur - her mother worked in the poorhouse where Gabrielle was born, and died when Gabrielle was only six, leaving her father with five children whom he promptly abandoned to the care of an orphanage.

She adopted the name Coco during a brief career as a cafe and concert singers 1905-1908. First a mistress of a wealthy military officer then of an English industrialist, she drew on the resources of these patrons in setting up a millinery shop in Paris in 1910, expanding to Deauville and Biarritz. The two men also helped her find customers among women of society, and her simple hats became popular.

Soon she was expanding to couture, working in jersey, a first in the French fashion world. By the 1920s, her fashion house had expanded considerably, and her chemise set a fashion trend with its "little boy" look. Her relaxed fashions, short skirts, and casual look were in sharp contrast to the corset fashions popular in the previous decades. Chanel herself dressed in mannish clothes, and adapted these more comfortable fashions which other women also found liberating.

In 1922 Chanel introduced a perfume, Chanel No. 5, which became and remained popular, and remains a profitable product of Chanel's company. Pierre Wertheimer became her partner in the perfume business in 1924, and perhaps also her lover. Wertheimer owned 70% of the company; Coco Chanel received 10% and her friend Bader 20%. The Wertheimers continue to control the perfume company today.

Coco Chanel introduced her signature cardigan jacket in 1925 and signature "little black dress" in 1926. Most of her fashions had a staying power, and didn't change much from year to year -- or even generation to generation.

She briefly served as a nurse in World War I. Nazi occupation meant the fashion business in Paris was cut off for some years; Chanel's affair during World War II with a Nazi officer also resulted in some years of diminished popularity and an exile of sorts to Switzerland. In 1954 her comeback restored her to the first ranks of haute couture. Her natural, casual clothing including the Chanel suit once again caught the eye -- and purses -- of women. She introduced pea jackets and bell bottom pants for women. She was still working in 1971 when she died. Karl Lagerfeld has been chief designer of Chanel's fashion house since 1983.

In addition to her work with high fashion, she also designed stage costumes for such plays as Cocteau's Antigone (1923) and Oedipus Rex (1937) and film costumes for several movies, including Renoir's La Regle de Jeu. Katharine Hepburn starred in the 1969 Broadway musical Coco based on the life of Coco Chanel.

Another Biography of Coco Chanel

By Cheri Van Hoover

Figure 1 - Chanel in the late 1930s. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries. Luxury is not the opposite of poverty,
it is the opposite of vulgarity. Coco Chanel (Mauries, pg. 48)

The hallmarks of Chanel design exhibit a paradox described by writer Aldous Huxley as a rich and sumptuous simplicity (5, pg. 90). The clothing is simple and understated, even severe in its cut and the fabrics used, but heavily accessorized with masses of fine and faux jewelry mixed together as a counterpoint. Offering freedom and flexibility, her apparel follows the lines of the body, constructed so it will fall back into place naturally whenever the wearer is at rest (4, 3). The sense of proportion is fundamental to all good design, and Chanel's fashions embodies this principle above all else. Chanel believed in authenticity (4). She wanted women to be able to express themselves physically while wearing her clothing and to be fearless in their self-adornment.

Figure 2 - Late 1950s Chanel Bracelet. From Amazing Gems by Cera.

In contrast to the simplicity of the clothing, Chanel's jewelry is bold and theatrical. She embraced the primitive and barbaric in her accessories, which elevated her trim, tidy clothing, creating a look so womanly and sophisticated that it has never gone out of fashion since she first imagined it more than 90 years ago. Chanel draped herself and her models in ropes of faux pearls and goldtone chains. She commissioned masterpieces of poured glass from Maison Gripoix. Adopting red and green as her signature color combination, she drew inspiration from numerous sources: The Treasury of St. Mark's in Venice with its Byzantine treasures, the Moghuls of India, Persia, Egypt, Renaissance pearl chains with delicately wrought metal, Baroque era pendant pearls, African carvings, the Etruscans and Visigoths and Celts (3, 4). There was no limit to her historical interest or her ability to transform the riches of the past into contemporary treasure.

Figure 3 - Bracelet by Robert Goossens for Chanel designed after 3rd century A.D. Syrian bracelet on view at the Louvre. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

Chanel was a visual and tactile artist. She could not draw or sketch, but she knew immediately what was right or wrong when a woman tried on one of her fashions. She designed directly onto the models' bodies, draping, pinning, and cutting the fabric to get exactly the look and fit she was after. Her approach to jewelry design was very similar. In her studio she kept pieces of flexible modeling plastic which she shaped into jewelry, embedding real and fake gemstones into the plastic as she worked, moving them around to get exactly the color combinations and balance she desired. Chanel's talent was in her hands and her eyes (2, 4).

Figure 4 - Chanel's Hands, circa 1938. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

With the financial backing of her English lover, Arthur Boy Capel, Chanel began designing and selling hats at her own small boutique in Paris in 1909. This was the height of the Edwardian era, when hats were huge and heavily ornamented. Even from the beginning, Coco's hats challenged the norm. She bought simple, flat-topped straw hats and boaters, which she trimmed herself. Considered nervy and slightly eccentric, these designs sold like hot cakes to well-to-do young fashion mavens (2).

As Chanel's business acumen grew, she branched out into other arenas. In 1913, again with the help of Boy Capel, she opened a boutique in the resort town of Deauville, on the English Channel. Brilliantly situated between the legendary Normandy Hotel, the casino, and the beach, Chanel's new venture launched an entirely new innovation in women's clothing design, for that is the summer when she invented sports clothes, i.e. casual summer clothing made of nontraditional fabrics such as jersey. In 1915, she opened her first house of couture in Biarritz, where she sold chemise dresses made of jersey or cotton. She eliminated the fitted waist, creating straight dresses that tied over the hips. World War I was in progress, and her designs were perfect for wartime. They were simple and functional, taking advantage of remnant fabrics and random opportunities. Chanel's early experiences of poverty had made her an expert at making do and using odds and ends creatively. Her Paris operation expanded into a house of couture, as well (2).

By 1916 Chanel's businesses were thriving and she was no longer dependent on Boy Capel's generosity. At her three locations (Paris, Deauville, and Biarritz) she employed a total of 300 employees. Sadly, three years later, she lost the great love of her life when Boy Capel was killed in a fiery car crash. His last gift to her was a bequest of 40,000 pounds, which Madsen reports would translate into $1.2 million in 1990 dollars (2). Chanel was now an independently wealthy woman with well established businesses and a growing fashion reputation.

The 1920's roared in Europe, just as they did in America and Asia. Prosperity was the norm, and new social mores burst onto the scene. Chanel was central to the ethos of the era, inventing what was known internationally as the flapper style. Her short dresses featured straight lines. They were short-sleeved or even sleeveless. Bone simple, uncluttered, and casual, these were clothes that a modern woman could wear as she pursued an active, athletic lifestyle. Chanel's clothes were practical for travel, as well, with coats featuring large pockets and foldable hats suitable for packing in suitcases. When Chanel put buttons on a garment, they were fasteners, not purely ornament. One of her most enduring innovations, originating during the 1920's, was the little black dress, which has become an essential part of every woman's wardrobe (2). In 1921 Chanel introduced a line of accessories in the boutique associated with her Paris house of couture. These accessories included jewelry which was specially designed to complement her fashions (6).

Figure 5 - 1920s Chanel Poured Glass Heart Brooch & Earrings. From Costume Jewelry by J. Miller.

Chanel was the first to use costume jewelry to create the finishing touch to her overall look (3). As always, her approach was innovative and unique. Most of the costume jewelry of the 1920's adhered to the Art Deco aesthetic and attempted to follow the trends initiated by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Brightly colored fruit salad glass stones meant to imitate the carved precious and semi-precious gemstones used by the fine jewelers were mixed with brilliant white rhinestones in strongly geometric patterns (5). Chanel, however, developed her own style. In 1924 she established a relationship with Maison Gripoix, masters of fine glass jewelry (4). The 1923 introduction of her trademark perfume, Chanel No. 5, cemented her fortune and her supremacy in the field of fashion (2, 3) .

Figure 6 - Faux Baroque Pearl, Rhinestone, and Poured Glass Necklace. Attributed to Gripoix for Chanel, 1920s. From Costume Jewelry by Tolkien and Wilkinson.

Another significant change in Chanel's life occurred in December of 1923. She met and fell in love with the Duke of Westminster, one of the wealthiest men in England (2). This 10 year relationship brought her into constant public scrutiny and further encouraged her adoption of obviously faux costume jewelry.

Figure 7 - 1928 Chanel Brooch, reissued in 1935. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

I couldn't wear my own pearls without being stopped on the street,
so I started the vogue of wearing false ones.
Coco Chanel (Madsen, pg. 153)

Figure 8 - Chanel (on left) with Lady Abdy in 1929. From Chanel: A Woman of Her Own by Madsen.

A new Chanel boutique was opened in London's tony Mayfair district in 1927. It was greeted with acclaim by the British fashion press, including this glowing review by British Vogue, Looks designed for sports graduate to country day-dressing and then arrive in town, and Chanel's country tweeds have just completed the course. She pins a white pique gardenia to the neck. Her 'lingerie touches' are copied everywhere - piping, bands of contrasts, ruffles and jabots. She initiates fake jewelry, to be worn everywhere, even on the beach (2, pg. 106).

Figure 9 - 1920s Faux Pearl Maltese Cross Brooch. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

In 1929 Coco put a large brooch on the trademark beret she was seldom seen without, and launched a new trend (6).

If you want to start a collection, start with a brooch
because you will find most use for it.
It can be pinned on a suit lapel, collar or pocket,
on a hat, belt, or evening gown.
Coco Chanel (Miller, J., pg. 57)

Figure 10 - 1925 Brooch by Fulco di Verdura for Chanel. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

In 1931, Samuel Goldwyn made Chanel an offer she felt she couldn't refuse. If she would come to Hollywood twice a year to design for the actresses he had on contract with his studio, he would pay her one million dollars per year. These actresses included Ina Claire, Gloria Swanson, Norma Talmadge, and Lily Damita. She created the costumes for a forgettable Jean Harlow film called Palmy Days and for a Gloria Swanson box office disaster called Tonight or Never. The third film which featured her costumes was called The Greeks Had a Word for It, was a huge success starring Ina Claire, Joan Blondell, and Madge Evans. While these last two films were still in post-production Chanel became disillusioned with the Hollywood scene and returned home. The Depression was causing other houses of couture to close their doors, and she felt she had to be in Paris to keep her business alive. Also, she was offered the opportunity to design costumes for Jean Cocteau's play Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde. Her brief time in California added to her prestige in France, however, and Vogue announced that Chanel had revolutionized Hollywood by dressing Ina Claire in the simplest of white satin pajamas. (2)

In 1932 Chanel was approached by DeBeers, the diamond industry giants. The diamond business was suffering because of the worldwide economic depression which began in 1929 and because of the enormous success of costume jewelry, as popularized by Chanel. They asked her to develop and show a collection of diamond jewelry (7). Chanel enlisted the aid of Paul Iribe, already well known for his diverse talents in graphic, textile, jewelry, stage, and advertising design (4). Working together, they created a stunning collection which was shown for two weeks during November of 1932 in private rooms at Chanel's home at 29 Rue du Fauborg-Saint Honore. This amazing collection was responsible for De Beers stock rising 20 points on the London stock exchange 2 days after the opening of the exhibit (4, 7).

Figure 11 - 1932 Chanel Diamond Brooches and Diadem Shown on Wax Model. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

The diamond jewelry collection featured variations on three themes: bows, stars, and feathers. The pieces were constructed with minimized, even invisible, settings, so the stones stood alone, seemingly connected by gossamer or cobwebs. The diamonds were cut in unusual shapes such as triangles, hexagons, and trapezoids. They varied in size from very large to very small. The jewelry was transformative, as well, with clever connections which allowed a necklace to become a brooch, or a diadem to disassemble to become a bracelet and pendant (4).

Figure 12 - 1932 Diamond Necklace by Chanel. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

Chanel explained her interest in fine jewelry with yet another paradox. She said that she had made obviously fake glass jewelry during the boom times of the 1920s because they were devoid of arrogance in an epoch of too easy luxe. She went on to state that she was now promoting precious gems because they had the greatest value in the smallest volume and answered a hunger for authenticity and real value in a world where times were hard (2, pg. 196).

Figure 13 - 1932 Diamond Comet Necklace. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

The relationship with Paul Iribe was both personal and professional. Their love affair influenced Chanel's jewelry design in significant ways. According to Patrick Mauries, many of the qualities which became cornerstones of Chanel's jewelry design were established by Iribe as early as 1910. These qualities include the use of large stones, a highly decorative approach featuring both novelty and variety, and an emphasis on proportion. Iribe had a taste for unrestrained splendor in jewelry, juxtaposing stones and textures. He created new definitions for settings, ranging from the minimalist settings seen in the diamond collection of 1932 to the massive, barbaric settings so commonly seen in Chanel's jewelry (4). Their relationship, though intense and productive, was short-lived. In 1935, Paul died of a heart attack at age 52 while playing tennis with Coco at one of her homes (2).

Figure 14 - 1960 Chanel Brooch. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

A woman should mix fake and real.
To ask a woman to wear real jewelry only
is like asking her to cover herself with real
flowers instead of flowery silk prints.
She'd look faded in a few hours.
I love fakes because I find such jewelry provocative,
and I find it disgraceful to walk around with millions
around your neck just because you're rich.
The point of jewelry isn't to make a woman look rich
but to adorn her; not the same thing.
Coco Chanel (Madsen, pg. 197)

Figure 15 - 1930s Faux Pearl and Poured Glass Sautoir by Gripoix for Chanel. Courtesy of Milky Way Jewels.

Another important design partner during the early 1930s was Fulco di Verdura. This impoverished Sicilian duke went to work for Chanel sometime during the 1920s, although the exact date varies from one source to another. His enduring contributions to her signature style were the inclusion of Maltese cross motifs and the use of massive stones in thickly enameled pieces, especially bracelets. In 1934 he went to Los Angeles to join a friend's jewelry business, and then moved on to New York in 1937 to open his own firm (4).

Figure 16 - Chanel with Fulco di Verdura in 1937. Note the bracelet she is holding. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

My jewelry never stands in isolation from the idea of women
and their dress. And because dresses change,
so does my jewelry.
Coco Chanel, 1932 (Mauries, pg. 24)

Figure 17 - Enameled Maltese Cross Bracelets by Fulco di Verdura for Chanel. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

A final fashion contribution by Chanel before the onset of World War II was the shoulder strap purse in 1939. She introduced a purse suspended on a long chain, suitable for wearing over the shoulder. This was a first, as previous purses were clutched in the hand or carried over the arm (3).

In September of 1939 France declared war on Germany. Three weeks later, Chanel closed House of Chanel in Paris and laid off the staff without warning. She did leave the Paris boutique open, however, selling mainly perfume (2). One source says that the boutique continued to sell jewelry, as well (7). When the outskirts of Paris were bombed by the Germans, Coco fled to the south. She returned to Paris in August of 1940 and resumed residence in the Ritz Hotel (2). After the war ended in 1945, Chanel's wartime affair with a high-ranking Nazi officer, Hans Gunther Dincklage, created a hostile environment for her in France. She and Dincklage moved to Switzerland, where she remained for the next nine years, even after they separated in 1950 (2). During this time, the primary Chanel product was perfume, though one source reports that the great French glass house of Rousselet made pearl sautoirs for boutique sales between 1948 and 1952 (7).

The early 1950s fashion scene was dominated by the New Look of Dior and Balenciaga. These designers put women back into tightly fitted, boned and crinolined gowns (5). This look was the antithesis of Chanel style and philosophy, and she rebounded out of retirement in 1954 with a new mission. She reported that she was no longer interested in dressing a few hundred women, private clients. I shall dress thousands (5 pg. 122). She reopened her salon, launched a comeback collection, and began marketing off-the-rack styles to American department stores. Chanel's 1950s jewelry designs included jeweled cufflinks worn on men's style shirts, gold chains and medallions, and gilt and pearl earrings (2).

Figure 18 - 1954 Byzantine Necklace, Reissued in 1971. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

Robert Goossens became Chief Designer for Chanel in 1960, though he had been working for her indirectly since 1954 through his goldsmith employer, DeGorse (4). His designs included rosary-style necklaces, long chains with beads and pearls, pate de verre eagles derived from Anglo-Saxon belt buckles, and huge Maltese cross brooches (3). Goossens designs were massive. He used bronze, silver, molten glass, and Swarovski crystals to create bold, photogenic ornaments (6).

Figure 19 - Front and back views of 1960s Robert Goossens for Chanel Pendant. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

In 1971, at the age of 88, Chanel died in her beloved Paris. She was still working and designing until the very end. Friends joked that it was no coincidence that she passed away on a Sunday, since that was the only day that the salon was closed, so it was the only day she had time to do it (2, 3).

Figure 20 - Bracelets said to be Chanel's last design before her death. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

For the next 12 years, from 1971 until 1983, the Chanel company continued to issue faithful reproductions of her designs (3). In 1983, however, Karl Lagerfeld assumed directorship of the Chanel corporation. He was charged with reinterpreting and modernizing the classic Chanel style (3).

Figure 21 - Classic Chanel Chain Belt. Courtesy of Milky Way Jewels.

The 1980s was an era devoted to designer labels. Lagerfeld put the entwined CC logo on everything from belt buckles to earrings (3). His designs were based on the original Chanel themes and included her classic gilt chains, coins, and pearls, but all of these were updated with an exaggerated 1980s flash (5). Lagerfeld continues to design for Chanel today, though he also has his own company.

Figure 22 - Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Pin. Dated 1984. Courtesy of Milky Way Jewels.

Coco Chanel left us with a strong legacy. Many of the fashion choices women take for granted today began with her vision and her challenge to the traditional view of women's lives and bodies. Throughout her career she resisted every attempt to restrict women's freedom of movement. Her designs were radical and revolutionary and absolutely essential to the liberation of women from the strictures of corsets and inhibiting ornamentation. Whenever you wear a comfy jacket that fits like a sweater, a well-fitting suit that lets you breathe, a little black dress, a crisp white shirt, or a cozy navy-style pea jacket, you should take a moment to pause and thank Chanel. Also included in her amazing legacy are masses of bold jewelry with bright cabochons and pearls, gold buttons, quilted bags, and black-tipped sling-back shoes that make your legs look miles long... All these are products of Chanel's genius.

Figure 23 - Chanel at her apartment at the Ritz in Paris, 1937. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.

A special Chanel exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is currently being shown and will ran through August 7, 2005. This exhibit has gathered an unprecedented presentation of more than 50 designs and accessories from the Metropolitan MuseumÕs Costume Institute Collection, the Chanel Archives, and other international institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Examining the history of the House of Chanel thematically, the exhibition illustrates the ideas and elements of ChanelÕs life and work.

Figure 24 - Circa 1970 Chanel Necklace Inspired by the Moghuls. From Jewelry by Chanel by Mauries.
References:

Cera, Deanna Farneti. Amazing Gems: An Illustrated Guide to the World's Most Dazzling Costume Jewelry (Harry N. Abrams, New York, 1995)
Madsen, Axel. Chanel: A Woman of Her Own (Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1990)
Miller, Judith. Costume Jewelry (DK Publishing, New York, 2003)
Mauries, Patrick. Jewelry by Chanel (Little, Brown and Company, Boston, New York, London, 2000)
Tolkein, Tracy & Wilkinson, Henrietta. A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry: Key Styles and How to Recognize Them (Firefly, Ontario, Canada, 1997)
Miller, Harrice Simons. Official Price Guide to Costume Jewelry, 3rd Ed. (Crown Publishing Group, New York, 2002)
Moro, Ginger. European Designer Jewelry (Schiffer, Atglen, PA, 1995)

Viva Coco Chanel

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:43:48 GMT

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel

(August 19 , 1883 – January 10 , 1971 )[1] was a pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her arguably the most important figure in the history of 20th-century fashion . Her influence on haute couture was such that she was the only person in the field to be named on TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century .[2]

nch fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her arguably the most important figure in the history of 20th-century fashion. Her influence on haute couture was such that she was the only person in the field to be named on TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century.^[2]

She said...
"Luxury is the opposite of vulgarity."
"If you want to be irreplaceable, you have to be different. "
"Success is made with what can't be learned. "
"Elegance is when the wrong side is as beautiful as the right side."
"You cannot have fashion out of touch with street life."
"Fashion passes, style remains."
"Perfume is of the utmost importance. In the words of Paul Valéry: 'A woman wearing the wrong perfume has no future'."
"When you give women back their mystery, you give them back their youth."
"The poetry of fashion lies in creating illusion."
"Nature gives you your face at twenty. Life shapes your face at thirty. But the face you have at fifty is the face you have earned."
"Let my legend makes its way in life. I wish it a long one."

She died...
On January 10, 1971, a few days before the showing of her collection.

125 years after her birth, her legacy thrives under the direction of karl Lagerfeld

^{watch Chanel fashion Shows here}

^{http://www.chanel.com/fashion/8#8-paris-londres-2007-8-chanel-fashion-show-3,0}

NASA TO BROADCAST HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS IN HIGH DEFINITION

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:38:04 GMT

WASHINGTON - NASA Television will broadcast a special high definition
(HDTV) feed of two hours of highlights from America's human
spaceflight history as the agency celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The NASA HD highlights will be broadcast on Friday, Aug. 8, Monday,
Aug. 11, and Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. EDT on a special
feed from NASA TV. The highlights also will be broadcast on standard
definition on NASA TV's media channel.

The broadcast will include material drawn from more than 150 hours of
historical film footage that was converted to HDTV under
collaboration between The Discovery Channel and NASA. Much of the
converted footage was used in production of The Discovery Channel's
acclaimed series, "When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions."

For technical information on how to receive the special broadcast in
high definition, and for NASA TV streaming video, downlink and
scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about NASA and its programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

HEADS OF AGENCY INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION JOINT STATEMENT

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:17:38 GMT

In Paris, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin is joined at the 2008
meeting of the International Space Station Heads of Agency by Guy
Bujold, Canadian Space Agency president; Jean-Jacques Dordain,
European Space Agency director-general; Anatolii N. Perminov, Russian
Federal Space Agency head; and Keiji Tachikawa, Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency president. Credit: ESA/S. Corvaja
&rsaquo; View Full Resolution PARIS -- The heads of the International
Space Station (ISS) agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and
the United States met at European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in
Paris on July 17, 2008, to review ISS cooperation. As part of their
discussions, they noted the significantly expanded capability that
the ISS now provides for on-orbit research and technology development
activities and as an engineering test bed for flight systems and
operations that are critical to future space exploration initiatives.
These activities improve the quality of life on Earth by expanding
the frontiers of human knowledge.

The Heads of Agency also noted the Partners' significant
accomplishments since their last meeting in January 2007, including
the delivery of Node 2 (Harmony), two new laboratories (the ESA
Columbus Module and the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo), and Dextre,
Canada's two-armed special purpose dexterous manipulator. In addition
to the completion of six challenging ISS assembly missions with the
U.S. Space Shuttle, the Heads of Agency recognized the maiden flight
of the European Automated Transfer Vehicle, the establishment of the
global ISS ground operation control center network with the addition
of new European and Japanese ISS operations centers and the
successful flights of Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles. The
Partners emphasized the critical importance of expanded operations of
Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles for ISS total crew
transportation, rescue and cargo delivery.

The Heads of Agency reviewed current ISS development, configuration
and operations activities across the partnership. They considered
implementing plans to maximize the benefits from the increase to a
six-person crew in 2009 and discussed efforts to ensure that
essential space transportation capabilities (both crew and cargo)
will be available across the partnership for the life of the program.
The Partners acknowledged the need for the additional Russian modules
to be provided in 2009 and 2010 that will maximize six-person ISS
operations and utilization.

The Heads of Agency discussed their respective ongoing activities to
enhance upmass and downmass transportation capabilities required for
a robust utilization of the ISS and for preparing capabilities for
the future. These include Japan's H-2 Transfer Vehicle in the next
year, the U.S. Commercial Orbital Transportation Services and the
U.S. Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle; together with the current
operational vehicles, the U.S. Shuttle (up to 2010), Russian Soyuz
and Progress, and ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle. These capabilities
will respond to the ISS operations and utilization requirements. They
also noted new initiatives such as the ESA plan for an Automated
Transfer Vehicle-Advanced Return Vehicle system for downmass from the
ISS and the Russia-ESA joint preparatory activities on an advanced
Crew Space Transportation System. The Heads of Agency expressed their
interest in making these capacities available for the benefit of the
whole partnership and can provide sustainability of the ISS and
prepare for future exploration endeavors.

As the partnership moves closer to completion of ISS assembly, the
Heads of Agency reaffirmed their common interest in utilizing the
space station to its full capacity for a period meaningful for
stakeholders and users. The Partners noted that a continuation of
operations beyond 2015 would not be precluded by any significant
technical challenges. Recognizing the substantial programmatic
benefits to continued ISS operations and utilization beyond the
current planning horizon, the Heads of Agency committed to work with
their respective governments to assess support for such a goal.

For the latest about the International Space Station, visit the
Internet at:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

G8 going great for Prime Minister

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:11:35 GMT

From the Prime Minister's Website

July 9, 2008
TOYAKO, JAPAN

At the close of the 2008 G8 Summit today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the leaders of eight of the world’s leading economic powers had made substantive progress on several critical economic, political and environmental issues facing the world, including what the Prime Minister termed a “breakthrough” agreement on the urgent challenge of global warming.

“There is a new consensus on climate change,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The United States and Russia have joined with us this year and now all G8 countries agree on the goal of a 50 percent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Moreover, G8 leaders have also accepted our longstanding argument that the post-2012 global climate change framework must include all major emitters.”

G8 leaders also participated in the Major Economies Meeting which allowed for a constructive discussion between major developed and developing economies that will help lay the groundwork for a post-2012 global framework on climate change.

Following animated discussions, including a forceful intervention by the Prime Minister, the G8 leaders also issued a strong statement criticizing the Government of Zimbabwe for subverting democracy and ignoring the will the Zimbabwean people. “We have added the G8’s powerful voice to the global condemnation of the fraudulent election and the illegitimacy of the Mugabe regime,” Prime Minister Harper said.

In a further display of solidarity following discussions about the mission in Afghanistan, G8 leaders endorsed the Prime Minister’s call for the international community to “redouble our efforts to build competent, effective, credible Afghan governance and security institutions, and to deal with the problems of the Afghan-Pakistan border.”

The Toyako Summit addressed many other important global issues, including aid for Africa, energy security and food aid. “Canada can and is making major contributions in all these areas,” Prime Minister Harper said, “including the doubling of Canada’s overall international aid between 2001 and 2010, and the doubling of our aid to Africa to $2.1 billion in 2008-2009.”

Legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent dies at 71

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:31:34 GMT

PARIS - Legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent, who reworked the rules of fashion by putting women into elegant pantsuits that came to define how modern women dressed, died Sunday evening, a longtime friend and associate said. He was 71.

Pierre Berge, Saint Laurent's business partner for four decades, said he had died at his Paris home following a long illness.

A towering figure of 20th century fashion, Saint Laurent was widely considered the last of a generation that included Christian Dior and Coco Chanel and made Paris the fashion capital of the world, with the Rive Gauche, or Left Bank, as its elegant headquarters.

In the fast-changing world of haute couture, Saint Laurent was hailed as the most influential and enduring designer of his time. From the first YSL tuxedo and his trim pantsuits to see-through blouses, safari jackets and glamorous gowns, Saint Laurent created instant classics that remain stylish decades later.

"I am saddened by the loss of such a legendary talent," designer Tommy Hilfiger said in an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press. "He was a creative genius who changed the world of fashion forever."

Berge praised Saint Laurent as the man who marked "the second half of the 20th century" in fashion.

"Chanel gave women freedom" in the first half, and Saint Laurent "gave them power," he said on France-Info radio. Saint Laurent was a "true creator," going beyond the aesthetic to make a social statement, Berge said.

"In this sense he was a libertarian, an anarchist and he threw bombs at the legs of society. That's how he transformed society and that's how he transformed women."

When Saint Laurent announced his retirement in 2002 at age 65 and the closure of the Paris-based haute couture house he had founded 40 years earlier, it was mourned in the fashion world as the end of an era. His ready-to-wear label, Rive Gauche, which was sold to Gucci in 1999, still has boutiques around the world.

In October 2006, Saint Laurent slipped and fell outside a Paris restaurant during Fashion Week, suffering slight scratches but reminding fans of the perennially fragile designer's advancing age.

Saint Laurent was born Aug. 1, 1936, in Oran, Algeria, where his father worked as a shipping executive. He first emerged as a promising designer at the age of 17, winning first prize in a contest sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat for a cocktail dress design.

A year later in 1954, he enrolled at the Chambre Syndicale school of haute couture, but student life lasted only three months. He was introduced to Christian Dior, then regarded as the greatest creator of his day, and Dior was so impressed with Saint Laurent's talent that he hired him on the spot.

When Dior died suddenly in 1957, Saint Laurent was named head of the House of Dior at the age of 21. The next year, his first solo collection for Dior - the "trapeze" line - launched Saint Laurent's stardom. The trapeze dress - with its narrow shoulders and wide, swinging skirt - was a hit, and a breath of fresh air after years of constructed clothing, tight waists and girdles.

In 1960, Saint Laurent was drafted into military service - an experience that shattered the delicate designer, who by the end of the year was given a medical discharge for nervous depression.

Bouts of depression marked his career. Berge, the designer's longtime business partner and former romantic partner, was quoted as saying that Saint Laurent was born with a nervous breakdown.

Saint Laurent returned to the spotlight in 1962, opening his own haute couture fashion house with Berge. The pair later started a chain of Rive Gauche ready-to-wear boutiques.

Life Magazine hailed his first line under his own label as "the best collection of suits since Chanel."

Berge has said that Saint Laurent's gift to fashion was that he empowered women after Chanel had freed them.

Nowhere was Saint Laurent's gift more evident than the valedictory fashion show that marked his retirement in January 2002.

Forty years of fashion were paraded in a 300-piece retrospective that blurred the boundaries of time, mixing his creations of yesterday and today in one stunning tribute to the endurance of Saint Laurent's style. He also designed costumes for heater and film.

There was the simple navy blue pea coat over white pants, which the designer first showed in 1962 when he opened his couture house and kept as one of his hallmarks.

His "smoking," or tuxedo jacket, of 1966 remade the tux as a high fashion statement for both sexes. It remained the designer's trademark item and was updated yearly until he retired.

Also from the 60s came Beatnik chic - a black leather jacket and knit turtleneck with high boots - and sleek pantsuits that underlined Saint Laurent's statement on equality of the sexes. He showed that women could wear "men's clothes," which when tailored to the female form became an emblem of elegant femininity.

"More than any other designer since Chanel, YSL represented Paris as the style leader," The Independent of London wrote in an editorial after Saint Laurent's retirement. "By putting a woman in a man's tuxedo, he changed fashion forever, in a style that never dated."

In his own words, Saint Laurent said he felt "fashion was not only supposed to make women beautiful, but to reassure them, to give them confidence, to allow them to come to terms with themselves."

Some of his revolutionary style was met with resistance. There are famous stories of women wearing Saint Laurent pantsuits who were turned away from hotels and restaurants in London and New York.

One scandal centred on the designer himself, when he posed nude and floppy-haired for a photographer in 1971, wearing only his trademark thick black glasses, to promote his perfume.

Saint Laurent's rising star was eternalized in 1983, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted a show to his work, the first ever to a living designer.

Subsequent shows at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and in Beijing made him a French national treasure, and he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur in 1985.

When France basked in the glory of its 1998 World Cup soccer final, it was Saint Laurent who took centre field pre-kick off with an on-field retrospective at the Stade de France.

In 1999, Saint Laurent sold the rights of his label to Gucci Group NV, ceding control of his Rive Gauche collection, fragrances, cosmetics and accessories for US$70 million cash and royalties.

Industry insiders cited friction between Saint Laurent and Gucci's creative director, Tom Ford, as a likely factor in the fashion guru's decision to retire three years later. Ford stepped down in 2003.

When he bowed out of fashion in 2002, Saint Laurent spoke of his battles with depression, drugs and loneliness, though he gave no indication that those problems were directly tied to his decision to stop working.

"I've known fear and terrible solitude," he said. "Tranquilizers and drugs, those phoney friends. The prison of depression and hospitals. I've emerged from all this, dazzled but sober."

Space Shuttle Discovery Lift Off Successful

Sat, 31 May 2008 21:44:50 GMT

NASA May 31
5:11 p.m. EDT
Space shuttle Discovery rocketed into space safely this evening to begin a 14-day mission to attach a new scientific module to the International Space Station. Launch came at 5:02 p.m. EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and set Discovery on a trajectory to intercept the space station in two days.

Seven astronauts flew Discovery into space, led by Commander Mark Kelly. The pilot for the mission is Ken Ham. Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Gregory Chamitoff and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide are the mission specialists for the flight. Chamitoff will trade places on the station with astronaut Garrett Reisman.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER AND UKRAINE PRESIDENT VICTOR YUSHCHENKO HAIL STRONG CANADA-UKRAINE RELATIONS

Wed, 28 May 2008 13:27:09 GMT

From the Prime Minister's Web Site

May 26, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko as the latter began a three day official visit to Canada. After their meeting, the President delivered an historic address to a joint session of Parliament.

“I wish to thank President Yushchenko for his informative and inspiring address and also for his warm and candid discussion during our meetings,” Prime Minister Harper said. “The President’s visit provides the opportunity to renew and strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between Canada and Ukraine.”

The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral and international issues, including:

the further development of political and commercial ties between the two nations;

Ukraine's future in NATO and Canada’s firm support for her bid for a Membership Action Plan;

and cooperation in the UN Mission in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Harper added that Ukraine can expect Canada’s full support as it continues its post-Communist evolution into a free and democratic nation.

PHEONIX HAS LANDED

Sun, 25 May 2008 23:59:30 GMT

visit www.nasa.gov for all the details.

A very exciting moment in our time. Congratulations to the Pheonix Team.

NASA TV AIRS HIGH-DEF DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SPACE STATION ASTRONAUT

Wed, 21 May 2008 23:12:58 GMT

HOUSTON -- NASA Television will provide a high-definition glimpse of
life in space with a special Video File to be broadcast beginning May
22.

During his final weeks aboard the International Space Station,
astronaut Garrett Reisman has filmed many daily activities in orbit
that are anything but routine. A compilation of Reisman's video
diaries will be broadcast in high definition, or HD, beginning at 4
p.m. CDT, Thursday, May 22. The footage also will air Friday, May 23,
and Tuesday, May 27, from 5 to 8 a.m., 12 to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
each day.

The special NASA TV Video File also will be broadcast in
standard-definition on NASA TV immediately following the regularly
scheduled daily Video File broadcasts.

NASA GIVES 'GO' FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON MAY 31

Tue, 20 May 2008 12:56:04 GMT

From NASA News

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA senior managers completed a review Monday
of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight and selected May 31
as the official launch date for the STS-124 mission. Commander Mark
Kelly and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to the
International Space Station at 5:02 p.m. EDT.

Discovery's 14-day flight will carry the largest payload so far to the
station and includes three spacewalks. It is the second of three
missions that will launch components to complete the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The crew will install Kibo's
large Japanese Pressurized Module and Kibo's robotic arm system.
Discovery also will deliver new station crew member Greg Chamitoff
and bring back Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who will end a
three-month stay aboard the outpost.

Discovery's launch date was announced after the conclusion of Monday's
Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and contractor
managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and
determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures
are ready for flight.

Commander Kelly will be joined on STS-124 by Pilot Ken Ham and Mission
Specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Chamitoff and
Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. For more information about the
STS-124 mission, including images and interviews with the crew,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Microsoft Tech·Ed North America 2008 Developers Conference

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:35:15 GMT

This year, for the first time in the United States, Tech·Ed offers a premier technical education conference just for developers. Don’t miss the excitement on Tuesday, June 3, when we kick off the event with a Keynote address from Bill Gates.

For four days, you and 5,000 of your peers will experience more than 615 learning opportunities covering the latest Microsoft technologies. To begin, take a look at the 16 Technical Tracks. Then check out the Session Catalog and design your own personalized schedule. Don't miss this first-rate educational Microsoft event for developers!

PM HAILS NATION’S HIGHEST MILITARY DECORATION AS NOW ‘TRULY CANADIAN’

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:40:45 GMT

Something notable from The Prime Minister's Office for this year's Victoria Day Weekend.

May 16, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaëlle Jean today unveiled Canada’s newly minted Victoria Cross medal at a formal ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Until now the Victoria Cross, Canada’s highest military decoration, was minted in Britain. All future medals awarded to Canadians will be minted in Canada. Though the design is faithful to the original design commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1856, Canada’s Victoria Cross includes a number of small but significant Canadian design and content features. “Today the Victoria Cross becomes fully, truly Canadian,” Prime Minister Harper said.

The original inscription, “For Valour,” has been changed to the Latin “Pro Valore,” on Canada’s Victoria Cross. “We are using the ancient language employed by our English and French ancestors to express the universal ideal that they shared,” said the Prime Minister. Other uniquely Canadian elements include metal from the 1867 Confederation medal, as well as metals from each of Canada’s regions.

Ninety-four Canadians have won the Victoria Cross for displaying extraordinary courage, endurance and sacrifice in battle. The last living recipient, Second World War veteran Smoky Smith, died just over a year ago.

Every day, in military missions at home and abroad, Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen are putting their lives on the line for us”, said Prime Minister Harper. “Someday, somewhere, one of those men or women will do something so brave, so gallant, so exceptional, that he or she will join the legendary cadre of the Canadian Forces who wear the pride of a nation on their chests”.

Canada’s Victoria Cross was produced through a collaboration of the Departments of National Defence, Veterans Affairs, and Natural Resources, the Royal Canadian Mint and Rideau Hall.

NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin Makes TIME's 100 Most Influential People

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:19:27 GMT

Mike Griffin, 58, had wanted to be administrator of NASA since the inception of the agency. To him, the appeal of the job was never about position or title but about the fact that space fired his imagination. It still does, and now, thanks to him, manned exploration of the moon and Mars is becoming a real possibility.

image Credit NASA

With advanced degrees in half a dozen fields and experience managing military and civilian space programs, he was the ideal choice when President George W. Bush needed a new NASA administrator to manage the moon-Mars initiative he announced in 2004. Mike made it immediately clear that he would do things differently. With four simple words—"Just call me Mike"—he began restructuring NASA into the kind of openly communicative and inspired organization it once was. A true engineer in the broadest sense, he understands systems—whether they are rockets, satellites, airplanes or the U.S. Congress. Not only can he quote you the history of a technical concept, but he can also derive the theory for you.

NASA is dead serious about having footprints back on the moon by 2020, and even now the metal is being cut on the new ships that will fly those missions. Mike Griffin—a true rocket scientist—is precisely the kind of person who will see that the job gets done.

By Marsha Ivins (Ivins is an astronaut and a veteran of five space-shuttle missions)

On a personal note, I have gained so much knowledge about space and science through the dedicated efforts of NASA administration; openly and generously sharing the experiences of all NASA missions with the general public. Michael Griffin, has helped forge the future of space habitation and travel as well as encourage the average person to be a part of new discoveries and vital information on any given day. He is a visionary, I deeply respect and admire. Congratulations to Dr. Griffin, for the honor. It is well desrved.

SEND YOUR NAME TO THE MOON WITH NEW LUNAR MISSION

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:04:33 GMT

Excerpt from NASA news Letter

WASHINGTON -- NASA invites people of all ages to join the lunar
exploration journey with an opportunity to send their names to the
moon aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, spacecraft.

The Send Your Name to the Moon Web site enables everyone to
participate in the lunar adventure and place their names in orbit
around the moon for years to come. Participants can submit their
information at http://www.nasa.gov/lro, print a certificate and have
their name entered into a database. The database will be placed on a
microchip that will be integrated onto the spacecraft. The deadline
for submitting names is June 27, 2008.

"Everyone who sends their name to the moon, like I'm doing, becomes
part of the next wave of lunar explorers," said Cathy Peddie, deputy
project manager for LRO at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Md. "The LRO mission is the first step in NASA's plans to
return humans to the moon by 2020, and your name can reach there
first. How cool is that?"

The orbiter, comprised of six instruments and one technology
demonstration, will provide the most comprehensive data set ever
returned from the moon. The mission will focus on the selection of
safe landing sites and identification of lunar resources. It also
will study how the lunar radiation environment could affect humans.

LRO will also create a comprehensive atlas of the moon's features and
resources that will be needed as NASA designs and builds a planned
lunar outpost. The mission will support future human exploration
while providing a foundation for upcoming science missions. LRO is
scheduled for launch in late 2008.

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is being built at Goddard. The
mission also will be managed at the center for NASA's Explorations
Systems Mission Directorate in Washington.

Send Your Name to the Moon is a collaborative effort among NASA, the
Planetary Society in Pasadena, Calif., and the Johns Hopkins Applied
Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md.

To send your name to the moon, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/lro

Happy Birthday to Me

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:21:32 GMT

Today is my birthday and we are enjoying my new sony ericsson 5 mega pixel camera phone. I am busy working on videos for the Vancouver Film School contest on youtube. Check it out, you may also enter and win a full scholarship. I have already been accepted to the school beginning march 2009 and thrilling to know that my future as a filmmaker is becoming a reality. Please view the new videos on the page with fantastic soundtracks by Matt Milne.

The Queen Celebrated her 82nd Birthday

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:16:49 GMT

I have been so busy with life and plans that I am late on puttting up this blog. Here it is anyway in remembrance of our great Monarch.

April 21st marked Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 82nd Birthday. Here's a youtube video featuring that day.

Hawking at 3:00 Today

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:13:23 GMT

Professor Stephen Hawking of the University of Cambridge will be the featured speaker at a lecture that is part of a series honoring NASA's 50th anniversary. The title of Hawking's lecture is "Why we should go into space." The event will be held at the George Washington University's Morton Auditorium at 3 p.m. EDT. Admission is by invitation only, but reporters are welcome to attend.

NASA television will broadcast the event live on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Astronauts Land Safely 295 miles Away From Expected Site

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:15:12 GMT

Commander Peggy Whitson and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko of the 16th International Space Station crew landed on the steppes of Kazakhstan around 4:30 a.m. EDT Saturday after 192 days in space.

All three people aboard the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft were reported to be in good condition after their re-entry and landing.

The landing was approximately 295 miles from the expected landing site, delaying the recovery forces’ arrival to the spacecraft by approximately 45 minutes.

The Soyuz is scheduled to undock at about 1:05 a.m. Saturday

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:34:39 GMT

Hatches between Expedition 16's Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft and the International Space Station were closed around 10:09 p.m. EDT Friday after goodbyes between members of the two crews.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko left the station after 190 days aboard. With them was Korean spaceflight participant So-yeon Yi, who launched to the station April 8 with the Expedition 17 crew.

That crew, Commander Sergei Volkov and Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko is beginning a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. With them is astronaut Garrett Reisman, who served with E16 during the last few weeks of its increment, and remains aboard as an E17 flight engineer for the early part of its stay.

The Soyuz is scheduled to undock at about 1:05 a.m. Saturday and do its deorbit burn at about 3:40 a.m. to begin the re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere. Landing is set for about 4:30 a.m. on the steppes of Kazakhstan.

NASA TURNS GREEN WITH NATIONWIDE EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:37:12 GMT

Excerpt from NASA Latest News Release

NASA centers across America will roll out the green
carpet April 22 to celebrate Earth Day and reporters are invited to
hear first hand about the agency's contributions to understanding and
protecting our environment.

NASA Earth research missions study all aspects of our planet, from its
oceans, land surfaces and atmosphere, to its biosphere and
cryosphere. NASA is a world leader in studying the cause and effects
of climate change now and in the future. NASA research contributes to
improved air and water quality and promotes healthier lands and
wildlife habitats. The agency operates dedicated Earth science
spacecraft and conducts research with instruments aboard other
national and international satellites. NASA plans several new
missions in the next few years, with two launching in 2008. Decision
makers around the world use NASA Earth science data to support policy
making and resource management decisions.

With the world's largest contingent of dedicated Earth scientists and
engineers, NASA will host interactive activities that span a variety
of topics.

NASA also will mark the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 8 Earthrise
photograph, which was credited for inspiring environmental movements
in the late 1960s and 1970s. Bill Anders, the Apollo 8 astronaut who
took the famous "Earthrise" photo, will be available for live NASA
Television interviews from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT on Earth Day.
Joining Anders will be a NASA scientist to discuss present day NASA
Earth science research. Media interested in arranging for live
interviews with Anders should contact Al Feinberg on 202-358-1058 by
4 p.m. EDT Friday, or DC Agle at 818-393-9011 by 7 p.m. EDT Monday.

NASA TV also will air a special hour-long High-Definition TV broadcast
of Earth views taken in HD by astronauts on past space shuttle and
space station missions. The HD broadcast will air on the morning of
Friday, April 18, from 6 to 8 a.m. EDT, and replay during the same
time on Monday, April 21. On Earth Day, the HD broadcast will air
from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT. The footage also will be broadcast on
standard NASA TV during the regular Video File hours those days. For
information on how to receive the special HD broadcast, and
information about NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

To commemorate Earth Day on NASA's Web site, http://www.nasa.gov, the
agency will feature several new items, including the 10 most
outstanding Earth views taken by astronauts aboard the space station.
Web features also will highlight a breathtaking series of nighttime
images of city lights from orbit gathered by astronaut Don Pettit,
who lived aboard the station in 2003. Pettit narrates the imagery,
which he gathered using a special mechanism he developed to steady
the camera and track cities as the station flew overhead at five
miles per second. The site also will provide opportunities for
visitors to share their opinions.

Stephen Hawking "Why We Should Go Into Space"

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:37:02 GMT

Excerpt From NASA Latest News Release
WASHINGTON -- On Monday, April 21, Professor Stephen Hawking of the University of Cambridge will be the featured speaker at a lecture that is part of a series honoring NASA's 50th anniversary. The title of Hawking's lecture is "Why we should go into space." The event will be held at the George Washington University's Morton Auditorium at 3 p.m. EDT. Admission is by invitation only, but reporters are welcome to attend.

NASA television will broadcast the event live on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Expedition 16 Welcomes Expedition 17 Aboard I.S.S.

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:54:37 GMT

Commander Sergei Alexandrovich Volkov and cosmonaut Oleg Dmitrievich Kononenko of the 17th International Space Station crew docked their Soyuz TMA-12 with the orbiting laboratory's Pirs Docking Compartment at 8:57 a.m. EDT Thursday, marking the beginning of their six-month stay aboard.

With Volkov, a lieutenant colonel in the Russian Air Force, and Kononenko was spaceflight participant So-yeon Yi. She is a South Korean flying under contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency.

Yi will return to Earth with Expedition 16 crew members Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko in their Soyuz TMA-11 on April 19. Expedition 16 launched to the station Oct. 10.
See more on I.S.S. Mission Page

We look forward to celebrating Commander Peggy Whitson and

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko back on Earth.

God Bless and congratulations on an elegant arrival.

NASA LAUNCHES NEW SCIENCE WEB SITE

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:31:36 GMT

From NASA News Release
WASHINGTON -- NASA's Science Mission Directorate has launched a new
Web site that provides enhanced and engaging information about NASA's
vast scope of scientific endeavors and achievements.

The site will provide in-depth coverage of NASA's past, present and
future science missions with features that include:

- Interactive tables and searches for Earth, heliophysics, planetary
and astrophysics missions
- Insight into dark matter and dark energy, planets around other
stars, climate change, Mars and space weather
- Resources for researchers including links to upcoming science
solicitations and opportunities
- A mapping of science questions for NASA science missions and the
data they produce
- A citizen-scientist page with access to resources that equip the
public to engage in scientific investigation
- Expanded "For Educators" and "For Kids" pages to provide access to a
broader range of resources for learning the science behind NASA
missions
- Easy-to-navigate design and an improved search engine to help find
information

Visit the new NASA science Web site at:

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/

Expedition 17 Docks to I.S.S. Thursday 9 a.m.

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:15:42 GMT

Excerpt from NASA.gov

After Tuesday’s successful launch, the Expedition 17 crew members are headed to their new home aboard the International Space Station.

launched at 7:16 a.m. EDT in a Soyuz TMA-12 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The orbiter and crew are scheduled to dock with the station about 9 a.m. Thursday.

Cosmonaut Sergei Volkov will command the Expedition 17 mission

Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko will serve Expedition 17 as a flight engineer

Space Flight participant, 29 year old, South Korean astronaut So-yeon Yi launched to the International Space Station on a Soyuz spacecraft with the Expedition 17 crew and return on a Soyuz spacecraft with the Expedition 16 crew. She is the youngest person to be sent into space.

Astronaut Gregory E. Chamitoff is scheduled to fly to the station on shuttle mission STS-124 and return to Earth aboard STS-126.

Astronaut Garrett Reisman arrived at the station aboard space shuttle Endeavour on STS-123 and joined Expedition 16 as a flight engineer

Volkov and Kononenko will begin a six-month stay in space.

Spaceflight participant Yi will return to Earth with Expedition 16 crew members, on April 19

Expedition 16

Commander Peggy Whitson

and

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko.