The scramble to be the first to put ordinary tourists in space is on. While private space pioneers paid $20-million for the privilege of spending a week at the International Space Station, those who have a mere $200 000 to spare can set their sights on an hour or so in sub-orbital space as soon as next year. But what to wear for the occasion when you walk up, or down, the gantry and have the eyes -- and perhaps cameras -- of the world upon you? Orbital Outfitters has the answer: the IS3C, the first commercially available sub-orbital space suit. The suit was designed by Chris Gilman, a Hollywood special effects guru who has designed spacesuits for movies such as Space Cowboys and Deep Impact. Gilman is backed by a team of aeronautical engineers and space-medicine experts. Orbital Outfitters (OO) is one of a slew of small companies in the “New Space" movement, often staffed by ex-Nasa scientists determined to see many people in space in the next decade.

Montana files suit against former state accountant

The state of Montana filed a civil lawsuit against a former state accountant and her husband's maintenance business Wednesday, seeking to recover more than $739,000 the state alleged was paid to the company for work that was not performed.We are finally beginning the process of recovering every single dollar that's been stolen from Montana taxpayers,'' said Sheryl Olson, deputy director of the Department of Administration. We filed this case to help us turn over every stone to help us recover all that money, plus interest.''The state alleges Susan Campbell, a former accountant in the Facilities Management Bureau, occasionally issued or caused others to issue duplicate payments to Jack's Technical Assistance Inc., owned by Jack Campbell.JTA had yearly contracts to maintain heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the Capitol complex beginning in 2000 and ending in October 2006.

Jim Thomas Live

I live in Boston and just want to tell you how beautiful of an experience it was to see so many Patriot fans unhappy after the Super Bowl, sweet justice my friend. That being said, I believe we've made three great moves since this time last year: Drafting Carriker, drafting Ryan, and hiring Saunders. To me, the obvious is that we have to have an A+ draft and shore up the OLine in free agency. My biggest concern is: What happens to Leonard Little's situation? It seems like he is on the wrong side of 30 and with his off the field issues combined with a huge cap number, maybe cutting LL is our best option. What's the buzz around Rams park about this and the Ike situation? Best, S. Monkey. .

Residents of sinking community seeking answers

Diana Regazzi's home is sloping. Clyde Preston's is sinking. The floor in Pat and Bob Talaga's house is buckled. Now told that their one- and two-year-old homes were built on unstable ground, the three and almost 30 of their neighbors in an Apache Junction manufactured home community are appealing to city and state officials for help. .