I can’t help but shake my head when I hear Elon Musk making grand statements like predicting that a Kamala Harris presidency would “doom humanity” and “destroy” the Mars program. It’s clear that these comments are nothing more than a desperate attempt to shift blame for the failures of his Mars colonization dreams. Since 2007, Musk has been promising us a future where humans walk on another planet, but here we are in 2024, and his Starship program is nothing but a series of explosions and vaporware.
It’s disheartening to see someone I once respected turn into a caricature of a villain.… Continue reading
Being an astronaut is a dream that many of us have harbored at some point in our lives. The idea of being amongst the stars, exploring the unknown, and pushing the boundaries of human capability is nothing short of awe-inspiring. However, the recent news of the Boeing Starliner returning to Earth without astronauts is not only disappointing but also deeply concerning.
Imagine being up there in space, counting down the days until you reunite with your loved ones and finally step foot back on Earth, only to watch as your ride home departs without you. It’s a scenario that feels like a punch to the gut; a betrayal of trust and a reminder of just how fragile our existence is in the vast emptiness of space.… Continue reading
The discovery of an underground moon cave big enough to become a lunar base is an exciting development in human space exploration. The potential for astronauts to set up lunar bases inside these caves opens up a whole new world of possibilities for long-term habitation on the Moon. The idea of utilizing natural formations like lava tubes for human settlements instead of constructing shelters from scratch highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of scientists and researchers.
The challenges of living on the Moon are immense, from the lack of oxygen, water, and power to the constant threat of cosmic radiation, meteorite impacts, and extreme temperatures.… Continue reading
As I read about scientists confirming a cave on the moon that could potentially shelter future explorers, my mind was blown. The idea of caves, magma, and lunar shelter had never crossed my mind before. It made me realize that there is so much we don’t know about the celestial bodies in our universe. The discovery of this cave, located near Apollo 11’s landing site, opens up a realm of possibilities for future lunar exploration and habitation.
The fact that there are hundreds more caves suspected to exist on the moon is mind-boggling. These caves, created by the collapse of lava tubes, could potentially provide a natural shelter for astronauts, protecting them from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorite strikes.… Continue reading
As an avid enthusiast of space exploration and colonization, the recent discovery of an underground Moon cave large enough to potentially become a lunar base has truly captivated my imagination. The notion of setting up human settlements within these natural tunnels is a revolutionary step towards establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon. The idea of utilizing lava tubes for habitation is not entirely new, but the identification of a tunnel beneath the Sea of Tranquillity presents a tangible opportunity for future lunar missions.
The challenge of creating a sealed colony on the Moon, shielded from solar radiation and other environmental hazards, is a formidable one.… Continue reading
The crew of NASA’s earthbound simulated Mars habitat has just emerged after a yearlong mission that never actually left Earth. The four volunteer crew members, Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell, and Nathan Jones, entered the 3D-printed habitat at Johnson Space Center in Houston over a year ago as the pioneers of NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog project. Stepping out of their artificial alien environment, the quartet expressed relief and gratitude for the experience they had just undertaken.
Living inside a space of 17,000 square feet to simulate a mission to Mars, these courageous individuals engaged in activities that mimicked what a real Mars crew would face.… Continue reading
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of former astronaut William Anders, who took the iconic Earthrise photo during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. The news that he died in a plane crash in Washington state strikes a chord in my heart, especially as a space enthusiast who holds a special affinity for the Apollo era at NASA.
The Earthrise photo, capturing our planet as a shadowed blue marble from space, holds profound significance in human history. It symbolizes our interconnectedness and fragility, a reminder of our place in the vastness of the cosmos. And to think that the man behind this iconic image met his end in a plane crash at the age of 90 is both tragic and poetic in its own way.… Continue reading
As a space enthusiast, the recent news of Boeing calling off a historic mission carrying two astronauts just minutes before liftoff was certainly disappointing. However, after learning about the intricate details of what triggered the scrub, I can’t help but appreciate the prioritization of safety in such high-stakes missions.
The fact that Boeing didn’t call off the launch, but rather the launch computer did, showcases a commitment to following safety protocols and ensuring that all systems are functioning optimally before allowing astronauts to embark on such a monumental journey. The intricacy of the launch control system, with redundant computers and stringent checks in place, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need to err on the side of caution.… Continue reading
Japan losing contact with Akatsuki, humanity’s only active Venus probe, is a significant loss for space exploration and scientific discovery. The fact that there used to be an active probe orbiting Venus was a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the team at JAXA. Despite facing main engine failure, they managed to salvage the orbit of the probe, showcasing their incredible ability to problem-solve and innovate in challenging situations. The possibility of the probe being disassembled or lost in space leaves us with a sense of unease, wondering what could be happening on Venus without our watchful eyes observing.
The comments referencing anime like Naruto inject humor into what is otherwise a serious and concerning situation.… Continue reading
As I read the exciting news that Voyager-1 has resumed sending readable data from deep space after a computer fault in November, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the incredible engineers who managed to fix the issue. The fact that a corrupted chip, a simple component, could cause such a significant problem for the aging spacecraft truly showcases the level of complexity and precision required in space exploration.
I have always been captivated by the Voyager missions, especially Voyager-1, which has exceeded all expectations by traveling much farther than initially anticipated. It is astonishing to think that we are still able to communicate with a spacecraft that is over 15 billion miles away.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker