Happy Sputnik Day!

[mindstalk]

possible ice chemistry of Europa
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-319&rn=news.xml&rst=2755

SF book like a Watts-Egan mashup
http://james-nicoll.livejournal.com/2671773.html

Japanese SF authors James Nicoll likes
http://james-nicoll.livejournal.com/2650811.html
especially Issui Ogawa

Milky Way Tube map
http://news.discovery.com/space/milky-way-transit-authority.html

JPL scientists sue NASA over open-ended intrusive background checks.
Caltech rolls over
http://www.airspacemag.com/space-exploration/NASA-v-The-Scientists.html

{the JPL employees asked NASA how exactly the information would be used. In response, NASA released a “suitability matrix,” which lists “sodomy,” “cohabitation,” “attitude” and “loitering” among the potential factors in considering whether JPL researchers should keep their jobs. NASA refuses to rule out that it might use any part of the matrix to evaluate JPL employees.}

Supreme Court arguments tomorrow