Outer Space Home Page for Space Matters Writer Brad Sylvester writes on space matters for Associated Content. All of the articles found on this home page will deal with vairous aspects of space. Readers are encouraged to add to the discussion with comments about each article. Space_Matters Twitter Page Follow Space_Matters on Twitter for tweets about outer space or to share your space related tweets. Facebook Fan Page for Space Matters Links, photos, videos, and an active discussion about all things related to space. If you're on Facebook, become a fan and join the discussion. How to Get an Astronaut to Speak at your Event Follow verified NASA astronauts on Twitter with this complete list of accounts. This article also contains information about how to get astronauts to speak at your event. Priority is given to schools and bbusiness events, though astronauts are forbidden by NASA policy from taking part in fund-raising events of any kind. Follow these steps and you have a good chance of getting one of NASA's active duty astronauts to show and talk to your group's public or private event. Of course, you'll have to cover travel, lodging and other expenses for the astronaut. Includes links to send your application directly to the right contact at NASA to have your application reviewed. Establishing Colonies in Space: What Will it Take? A Columbus Day Special! Comparing the early colonization of the New World against the future colonization of new worlds in outer space. Motivations and opportunities for space colonization. NASA LCROSS Mission to Crash a Rocket into the Moon On October 9th, 2009, NASA plans to crash a rocket called Centaur into Cabeus crater near the moon's South Pole in a mission known as LCROSS. The 4000 pound rocket is expected to kick up a spray of moon dust, also known as legolith, to be analyzed by the follow on craft that is equipped with spectrometers to analyze the elemental components of the dust and relay the information back to Earth before itself crashing into the moon and sending up another shower of moon dust. The LCROSS mission goal is to determine once and for all whether there is a significant amount of water ice locked in the surface of the moon. If water is present, it could be extracted from the moon soil and used to create rocket fuel and oxygen for future spacecraft. The water might also be used to suppotr astronauts on lunar colonies in the future. Web Rumors and Inaccurracies about the LCROSS Moon Impact Mission When it was announced that NASA was going to crash a rocket into the moon, many people expressed everything from outrage to fear. Conspiracy theorists and UFO hunters even accused NASA of using the mission as a cover-up for a bombing run on alien bases on the dark side of the moon. Some feared the 4000 pound projectile would destroy the moon and wreak havoc with Earth's tides and weather. This article looks at some of the inaccuracies of prominent published sources. Be sure to read the comments section for even more insight about the fears and ignorance of the general public about space matters and basic physics. World Space Week Celebtrations Include White House Star Party October 4-10 is World Space Week as declared by the United Nations (UN). The UN declared the first World Space Week in 1999 in order to promote education about space research and exploration. This year more than 60 countries will participate with orgranized events to be held during World Space Week. President Obama and the White House are celebrating with a Star Party which will see a group of selected middle school students peering at the stars through 20 telescopes set up on the White House lawn.