(This information from http://www.uschess.org/content/blogcategory/301/629/ )

Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on Monday morning, May 16, at 8:56 AM EDT. The launch of Endeavour marks the second-to-last launch of the Space Shuttle program - and the start of the second Earth vs. Space Chess Match, sponsored by NASA in conjunction with the U.S. Chess Federation.

Move one for space was made just prior to the first launch attempt on April 19, and Earth's first move was chosen by the 1,200+ participants at the National High School Chess Championship in Nashville, TN, that weekend.

The European Space Agency, Arianespace and the European Commission announced today that the launch of the first two satellites of Europe's global navigation satellite system is planned to take place on 20 October.

NASA announced the winners of its 'Original Song Contest' after six weeks of public voting. The songs will awaken the STS-134 astronauts aboard space shuttle Endeavour during their ongoing mission.

"Sunrise Number 1" by Jorge Otero and the band Stormy Mondays from Oviedo, Spain, earned first place.

Many schools are not aware of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Project so information has been sent to almost 20,000 educators.

Tue, 24 May 2011 10:07:50 AM CDT

STS-134 Mission Specialists Drew Feustel and Mike Fincke will conduct the third spacewalk of the mission Wednesday. They will be trying a new pre-breathe protocol designed to replace the overnight campout in the airlock. The In-Suit Light Exercise (ISLE) is also expected to use less oxygen to prepare the spacewalkers for the higher oxygen environment that is required with the lower pressure inside the spacesuit.