I went on an unplanned "space walk" thanks to Joel Walker, vice president of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum in Hutchinson, Kan., and Skype.

I had heard that this outstanding museum, which tells the story of the American-Soviet space race, was a major user of Skype.

Joel Walker, the museum's vice president, told me Skype has helped Cosmosphere reach out in tough times to put its educators in touch with teachers and students who can't afford the trip to the Cosmosphere.