Seeking Out New Homes On New Worlds
Jul 19, 2010
(Image Credit: NASA) Despite its romantic place in celestial history, Jupiter is one hostile region. Of the four Galilean moons that orbit this Jovian world, only Callisto is is known to be habitable for humans due to the planet’s radiation belts. But before we can even attempt to conquer the Galilean moons is a distant future, we are going to have to...
Aug 6, 2008
(Note: Inspired by Ken Murphy of Out of the Cradle) If extraterrestrials were (un)fortunate enough to visit our rowdy planet, they would realize that our civilization is powered by death. For our civilization to survive, to expand, and to literally keep the lights on our species must harvest the compressed liquid of billions of dead things–also known as...
May 5, 2008
(Image: Drawing of a communications/navigation satellite in lunar orbit. Credit: NASA / Pat Rawlings) With NASA planning on sending astronauts to live lunar side for six month sessions, the agency is attempting to figure out the best way to establish a communication network upon that eggshell colored world. While establishing radio towers may be effective if...
Apr 23, 2008
(Image: Illustration of two NASA probes set to explore Earth’s radiation belts. Credit: NASA) Even though there are approximately 83 colony worlds within our solar system, many of these worlds orbit gas giants who unfortunately bathe their lunar children in deadly radiation. In an attempt to understand these radiation belts, NASA is launching probes in...
Apr 23, 2008
(Hat Tip: Moon Today) To some people, space is a boring location, lacking beaches, liquid water and forests that often make Earth an ideal place to live. But as Japan’s SELENE satellite goes to show, its the view that attracts people to the cosmos (something FedEx admitted last year). Note: Click on the image above to watch. Content Copyright 2006-2009...
Apr 14, 2008
(Image: Detailed map of the moon, Credit: JAXA) While NASA and other space agencies are busy planning on how to land people on the moon, Japan is busy mapping the lunar in extreme detail using its SELENE satellite (which is currently orbiting the Moon). (Universe Today) The Japanese SELENE lunar orbiter has returned some of the most detailed maps of the Moon to...
Feb 12, 2008
(Hat Tip: Posthuman Blues) Ironically while it seems half the planet is in a space race to either beat their neighbors to the stars, it looks as if Japan is busy figuring out a way to harness the power of one. (Pink Tentacle) JAXA, which plans to have a Space Solar Power System (SSPS) up and running by 2030, envisions a system consisting of giant solar...
Nov 14, 2007
When one looks at the heavens above us, at its utter vastness, you can not help but be humbled by its glorious potential. Whether its exploiting asteroids or water ice, one can only imagine the untapped resources just waiting at humanities finger tips. One resource that seems to be on every ones mind is energy. With the cost of fuel accelerating faster than the...