While near space launches, even by balloon, used to cost astronomical sums of money, advances in computer technology and most importantly, ever cheapening camera equipment have meant that just about anyone with the inclination and the skills can make it happen.

The launch in this video was carried out using Arduino technology with a special protective camera case. As part of the tracking system, John Gordon also sent his cell phone up to the edge of the atmosphere, which makes for a pretty cool story of its own.

[io9 via Gizmo Watch]

Now, the 13-strong ISS crew must queue to use the Russian facilities or use the toilet aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor, however, shuttle toilet usage has been limited due to the possibility of it contaminating the new ISS installation, a platform for experiments that need to be exposed to space.

According to ISS Flight Director Brian Smith:

For right now, having all (shuttle crew members) using the shuttle toilet is not going to be an issue. But if the toilet cannot be repaired within about six days, it could become a more serious matter. We don’t yet know the extent of the problem

[Daily Mail]

In their own words:

Developed as a remedy for dehydration, it helps prevent the loss of body fluids during heavy exercise, heat exposure and illness. It also can be used to treat and prevent dehydration caused by altitude sickness and jetlag.

The novel electrolyte formula contains a specific ratio of key ingredients, sodium chloride and sodium citrate, for rapid restoration of hydration. These electrolytes, dissolved in water, optimize the levels of sodium ions in the body. The beverage is an isotonic formulation that restores both intra- and extracellular body fluid volumes in dehydrated astronauts, athletes and others.

At about $2.70 per ampule, when you buy 10 at a time and more when you only buy three, The Right Stuff ain’t cheap, but I am guessing it would make one hell of a hangover remedy. [The Right Stuff via NASA, Medgadget, Crunch Gear]

Or did it? Russia’s Space Agency suggested that the residents might have simply been seeking compensation, and could have carried the metal onto the roof of the apartment building themselves. A spokesperson for the Space Agency explained:

There is only one fragment and the house is not within the calculated area of possible debris fallout. In any case, there are no casualties or material damage, according to our information.

The rocket was carrying a Progress-M-02M cargo spacecraft to the ISS. [Digg]