In 1930 young American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh announced his finding of a tiny bright dot that moved, proving that it was a celestial body circling our sun and not just another star. Halfway around the world in England, 11-year-old Venetia Burney suggested that the new planet be named “Pluto,” for the Roman God of the Underworld who could make himself invisible. On 1 May 1930 the name “Pluto” was formally adopted for this new celestial body.

“If you had the chance to name a minor planet what would you name it?”

Let’s say you’re looking for work. You have a 4-year degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Astrophysics, or a related medical field, plus experience with a government space agency, and perhaps you have trained as a Payload Specialist with some extra-vehicular activity. Didn't find anything? If not, maybe you should check out the latest listing for "Astronauts" at CareerBuilder.com.

Who better to write a book about space development than Douglas Mallette, a systems engineer working for a Houston, TX company providing technical services to NASA for the Space Shuttle?

Attending any of the several space conferences is like standing atop an apex of time. Face this way, and you can look back at where we were, and what has happened since the last time we looked. Take a quarter turn, see and hear where we are now and the people making news. Take another quarter turn, and you are facing the future—what is yet to be done, who is going to do it, and how.

Since 1981, the National Space Society (NSS) has sponsored the International Space Development Conference, attracting speakers ranging from Dr. Buzz Aldrin, the second human to walk on the moon to Dr. Robert Zubrin, the man who wants us to walk on Mars. In between this A and Z have been some of the most prominent names in the development of technology, astronomy, electronics, law, space tourism, space solar power, and commercial possibilities on the next frontier.

by G.B. Leatherwood

By G.B. Leatherwood

by G.B. Leatherwood

by G.B. Leatherwood