The game, called NetworKing, is free and works on PC and Mac. The goal is to establish integrated communications networks, while getting users familiar with NASA's 5 year-old Space Communication and Navigation program. Players create command stations around the globe and accept clients like satellites and space telescopes. Throughout the game, you earn points to acquire more clients.
Players with the best communications networks can buy more complex clients like the International Space Station, the Kepler mission and the Hubble Space Telescope.
The game is not the first planned NASA digital media initiative. NASA currently offers a 3D Station Spacewalk game for PC and Mac. A Tweetup of 150 NASA followers for the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover liftoff is planned for Nov. 25 and a beta launch of an astrophysics game is expected in late 2012.
Do you think the game will get kids excited about space travel? Let us know in the comments.