Jul 29, 2006

This technology would not only benefit astronauts in space, but also future colonists on Mars and the Moon. (New Scientist Tech) Future spacesuits could have some remarkable new abilities. They could self-repair holes, generate electricity and kill germs, thanks to new “smart” materials. Such suits may be ready for use by 2018, when NASA hopes to...

Jul 29, 2006

A new ion cannon built by Aerojet (an aerospace company located in Sacramento, California) may provide future space craft with the power necessary to bring them all the way to Saturn’s moon, Titan. (New Scientist Space) An ion engine several times more powerful than any previously flown is being tested by NASA. It could propel a spacecraft all the way to...

Jul 29, 2006

If this is true, then future space colonists may be in for a major disappointment. (MSNBC) Having sex in the weightlessness of outer space is the stuff of urban legends and romantic fantasy–but experts say that there would be definite downsides as well. Spacesickness, for instance. And the difficulty of choreographing intimacy. And the potential for sweat...

Jul 29, 2006

Apparently the red dragon nation is preparing to launch another satellite which will conduct experiments on breeding plants in outer space. (Earth Times) BEIJING: China is expected to launch its first satellite for breeding plant seeds in September. The satellite will be launched from the Jiuquan satellite launch center, according to officials of the Commission...

Jul 29, 2006

Although I am probably late in the game reporting this, apparently Saturn’s cloudy moon may harbor hydrocarbon lakes, making the moon prime real estate for colonization. (Saturn Today) The Cassini spacecraft, using its radar system, has discovered very strong evidence for hydrocarbon lakes on Titan. Dark patches, which resemble terrestrial lakes, seem to...

Jul 23, 2006

We still have a long way to go before we can establish colonies on Mars and the Moon. Despite our lack of knowledge on how the ecosystem on Earth operates (especially within a closed system) some scientists busy finding ways to eliminate those mysteries in order to keep us on our lunar neighbor as well as the red planet. (Red Orbit) BEIJING (Xinhua) —...

Jul 23, 2006

Before we can actually establish a colony on the red planet, we first need to locate adequate supplies of water. If scientists are able to locate where possible sources of water lie on Mars (via new technology, rovers or telescopes) then it will be much easier to set up a colony on that dusty world. But before humans are sent towards Mars, robots will have to do...

Jul 23, 2006

Mars is a harsh world and sending rovers to understand is not only expensive, but fairly limiting. But engineers and scientists may have found a new way to explore the red planet by using mini bot balls to scour the Martian surface. (Universe Today) MIT engineers and scientist colleagues have a new vision for the future of Mars exploration: a swarm of probes,...