Laurel: To blasting off. The University of Pittsburgh is reaching for the stars.
This week, all eyes were on the skies as Artemis II took off with the most ambitious space mission in decades. The 10-day trip sent four astronauts toward the moon, circling the far side before returning with a record for the farthest humans have traveled in space.
Pitt was one of eight universities on the planet picked to participate in tracking Artemis II. Students, faculty and members of the Panther Amateur Radio Club are using equipment they created to follow the Orion spacecraft in real time from the top of Benedum Hall. This will contribute data as NASA looks to expand partnerships for future exploration.
This is a rare opportunity — not just to take part, but to be involved in the next steps of human exploration.
Lance: To drinking history. Pittsburgh has seen a lot of specialty alcohol marketing and consumption. There have been beers made to taste like Prantl’s burnt almond torte, Turner’s Tea, Sheetz donuts and Kennywood funnel cakes. There have been collaborations with anyone and everyone to celebrate uniquely Pittsburgh places and moments.
But have we taken it too far? Look no further than a beer brewed with DNA from the Immaculate Reception football.
Nemacolin Resort and Pittsburgh Brewing Co. are leaning into the NFL Draft with a pilsner made from swabs taken off the more than 50-year-old ball — because apparently nothing says “celebration” like whatever microbes have been clinging to sports memorabilia for a half-century.
Yes, the process included sterilization and testing. That isn’t the point. The questionable crux is that someone thought this up, someone said yes and now someone expects people to drink it. The Divinity Draft is part of Immaculate Reception Weekend at Nemacolin, an event with packages ranging from $10,000 to $30,000.
Pittsburgh has a rich football history. It doesn’t need to be fermented — or quaffed.