We published a brief news story last month about NASA's upcoming video game; "Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond," a space-themed MMO, still in early development. NASA's Daniel Laughlin said it will be the world's first MMO geared toward the education of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or STEM), while providing the same level of entertainment you might expect from titles like World of Warcraft. NASA first plans to release a mini-game/demo called "MoonBase" through Steam, which features a smaller "module" of the larger MMO.

Now confirmed as "Moonbase Alpha" on NASA's official website (in its newly-opened "MMO" section), the agency confirms the mini-game is scheduled for release through Steam in early 2010. "The mini demo game Moon Base Alpha utilizes actual NASA Constellation program design details developed by NASA for mankind’s return to the Moon in 2020," a recent press release reads. "Timelines in the much anticipated Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond MMO will be set even farther in the exciting future (2035+), but the ability to explore our own near-future moon missions is also planned for in the forthcoming game facilitated by the NASA Learning Technologies and Innovative Partnerships Programs." A video demo of Moonbase Alpha (a slide show of screenshots) is also available. You can also check out the official Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond website, hosted by the developers (Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond, LLC), which features a collection of press releases, news and other media.

It might seem a little strange that NASA, the same agency that put a man on the moon, would have anything to do with the development of its own MMO. However, that's exactly what's happening with "Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond," a space-themed MMO in early development. Daniel Laughlin, Project manager for NASA's Learning Technologies program, is creating the world's first MMO geared toward the education of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or STEM); and according to a recent interview with Edge, he wants it to be just as fun as any other MMO.

To do it right, Laughlin and his team partnered with Virtual Heroes, developers of America's Army, the US Army-funded first-person shooter. NASA's motivation in creating the MMO is similar to what the Army had in mind when creating its video game, but instead of driving kids to their local recruitment offices, NASA is looking for the next generation of scientists, astrophysicists, engineers and astronauts. Today's younger generation doesn't have the same excitement and interest in the space program as, for example, children who grew up in the late 60s (or even the 80s, when every kid in class dreamed of going to Space Camp).