Aug 16, 2010

While we often envision future Martian colonies powered by solar, steam or nuclear power, one aspect we often neglect is the human rated rovers that will be criss crossing the planet. Fortunately it looks like technology developed on Earth may aid rover ranging explorers on Mars. The idea is to use the sun to power chemical plants able to split carbon dioxide....

Aug 13, 2010

Borrowing off of its siblings design, t/Space (or Transformational Space for you non-space geeks) presents a unique concept on how to launch humans safely from Earth to the International Space Station. While t/Space’s flight approach would benefit companies like Bigelow Aerospace (as one can see in the video below), it could also help out future explorers...

Aug 6, 2010

Someday future generations are going to curse their grandparents for preventing them from leaving Earth due to space junk. Fortunately it looks like one company is working on a solution to reduce future space junk, which may help us keep terrestrial and Martian skies clean. Under government funding, Global Aerospace Corporation has begun developing a LEO...

Aug 5, 2010

Known throughout the space community for their Skylon jets (which are still in development), Reaction Engines has proposed what appears to be a reasonable path to help humanity reach the red planet within our life time. Note: If the video does not work above, you can visit Reaction Engines to watch the clip in its entirety. While the plan for the most part...

May 12, 2010

Unless you are fortunate enough to live on a water abundant world (like Earth, the red planet, and yes, even the Moon), future space travelers are going to have to recycle every drop of water that exits their body (regardless of origin). Since bacteria have a tendency to thrive in micro gravity, astronauts will need to find a way to kill off these microscopic...

Mar 22, 2010

(Image Credit: NASA) Before we can build homes, fertilize the soil and raise up forests upon the red planet (not to mention bring our animal friends as well), we are going to have to figure out a way to safely get to Mars. Despite the advances of chemical rockets, taking a 6 month journey to that crimson world would not only be unreasonable (as you would have...

Mar 18, 2010

Unlike its big terrestrial sister (aka Earth), Mars is sorely lacking in the energy department. While future Martian cities may eventually be powered by algae, solar steam or even geothermal power plants, colonists are going to need an energy source to immediately ”power up” their off world outposts. Fortunately it looks like researches may have...

Feb 23, 2010

(Image Credit: Phil Wilson of the New York Times) Having existed for thousands of years on Earth, soap has helped keep our human hands clean since the days of ancient Babylon. Unfortunately if our species ever travel beyond the sky, creating this cleanser via fats and oils may be just a ludicrous as importing it from the home world (aka Earth just in case you...