The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was on the short list of suspects in the recent orange snow event of the Omsk region of Siberia. The orange snow has been described as oily and rotten smelling. It also contains levels of iron, acids, and nitrates that are four times higher than ordinary snow. It is said that the region has plenty of other industrial polluters who may be to blame for the fortean weather.

The Space Station is set to receive some new supplies after the unmanned Progress M-59 took into orbit. The ship carried 2 1/2 tons of fuel (among other things). I was personally unaware that the ISS did not use solar power for all its power needs.

The French have launched a 'planet-hunter' telescope called Corot. This telescope will measure fluctuations of light received from stars to detect when planets of 'all sizes' move between the star and the telescope. The article contradicts itself on this point, however. At one point, they state that planets found will be rocky planets "a few times the size of earth". This method of planet hunting is currently used on Earth, however, from earth based telescopes the planets must be very large to detect the drop in light from a star. Researchers believe that they will be able to detect much smaller planets using this method. Let's hope so, I need some elbow room.