Artificial Gravity Via Bigelow Space Stations?
No matter where you go, you can not escape it. Understood by infants, “math-matized” by Newton, you can not forsake the effects of gravity, no matter what your “lying eyes” may be telling you.
You may never be able to escape the effects of gravity (in its entirety), but you can reduce it, freeing yourself from the stress of lifting objects of greater density than yourself.
One of the best places to do this is by launching yourself beyond the sky in order to get a glimpse of the heavens above. But staying there for long periods could have harmful effects upon your health, hurting not only your heart, bones, and immune system, but also aiding the deadly bacteria trying to kill you.
Currently scientists are trying to find ways to combat this issue, using everything from drugs to brain surgery. Although these options may eventually liberate us from the side effects of microgravity, it may be “less messy” to find a technological solution (as it may have less side effects).
While futuristic technologies such as plasma rockets and space elevator stations may hold much promise for our young race (gravity wise), we may be better off constructing orbital space stations–with a Bigelow twist.
Bigelow Aerospace, a space corporation focusing on creating inflatable space stations may be the key towards solving our gravitational woes.
Having already successfully launched two inflatable space stations (with a third one planned for human habitation), Bigelow plans on launching these inflatable modules, and connecting them together to form a space station that may rival the ISS.
But what if Bigelow Aerospace could alter the design of their inflatable modules to make several of them connect in a circle? They could then slowly rotate the entire structure (note: which may be an engineer’s nightmare) in order to simulate artificial gravity via centrifugal force.
While some may prefer to have an orbital space station enclosed with a “hardier” shell, doing so may not be as feasible due to the rising cost of rocket launches (hat tip: ParabolicArc.com).
Bigelow’s modules on the other hand, may not only be cheaper to launch into space, but may be safer as well, as its thick outer skin may be able to take “a greater punch” than its metallic rivals.
These inflatable modules may also more expendable than their more rigid cousins, as it would be much easier to replace a module or two (like a Pontoon bridge), than an entire section of a more traditional space station.
Whether or not Bigelow eventually decides to move in this direction, only time will reveal. But if so, Bigelow could ultimately allow us to safely venture out into the blackness of space, without the fear of losing our health in the process.
Editors Note (3/31): Ken Talton of the Brickmuppet Blog points out that the engineering/math to rotate Bigelow’s inflatable space stations in order to simulate gravity has already been figured out, and can be seen over here (pdf).
Update (3/31): The space stations are not exactly like Bigelow, but they do provide some “hard science” towards the idea.
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Video: Lunar Bull Dozing
If landing on the Moon is “easy,” then living upon it may be “slightly difficult”–especially if one has to find ways of creating a viable transportation system, which could involve lunar railroads and subways.
But before we begin dreaming up future metropolis connecting to each other across the moonscape, we may have to find ways of digging through lunar soil first.
(New Scientist Space) Chariot, a two-tonne “truck” with a top speed of 20 kilometres per hour, has been tearing up the Lunar Yard, a test bed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, since engineers there completed construction of the vehicle in September of 2007. [...]
Independent steering on each of its six pairs of wheels allows the vehicle to spin on the spot, zigzag up steep crater walls, and manoeuvre into tight spaces with ease.
The Chariot – so named because the current model has no seats, windows, or doors, and can be driven from the rear – can also lower its chassis to the ground making it easier for astronauts in bulky spacesuits to climb aboard.
Hopefully this new design (coupled with a plow) will enable colonists to clear out land in order to tame the Moon’s rugged surface. While more testing has to be done in order to make the robotic vehicles robust enough, future prototypes like these may enable us to actually build homes on lunar side, instead of dreaming about it from hundreds of thousands of kilometers away.
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SpaceDev To Create Seals To Protect Lunar Hardware
(Hat Tip: Space Fellowship)
Whoever said that the Moon was a harsh Mistress had a very good idea about what they were talking about.
Harboring dust that is both fatal to humans and irritating (at best) to mechanical life, colonizing the Moon is going to going to be “moderately daunting,” if not extremely difficult.
Despite this threat from the surface of Earth’s nearest neighbor, one company is working on ways of solving the dust dilemma, which may lead towards our species inhabiting that tiny world.
(SpaceDev) SpaceDev, Inc. [...] announced that it has been awarded a contract for the development of next-generation seal technologies for instrument covers. The Phase 1 Small Business Innovative Research contract is scheduled for a 6-month period, during which SpaceDev plans to perform feasibility studies for seals capable of repetitive use while maintaining integrity even in the presence of severe abrasive environments such as lunar dust. These seal technologies are intended to enhance performance and enable increased mission capabilities for future lunar operations such as rovers, robotic systems, on site resource utilization and science experiments.
“This contract builds upon our heritage developing cover systems and seals for important spacecraft such as the Chandra and Spitzer space telescopes,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, SpaceDev’s Chairman and CEO. “Once developed, they are expected to provide a key solution set to harsh environments that presented significant operational issues during the Apollo missions. Although our initial efforts are focused on NASA’s lunar requirements, we expect these products to translate over to future Mars and terrestrial applications as well.”
Even though this might look like a minor issue, these seals could easily determine not only who visits the Moon, but also how many. If successful, SpaceDev could help our species to live comfortably off world, without the worry about breathing in a substance that smells like gunpowder.
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Aquarium Homes For Mars (And Other Radiation Worlds)
(Article inspired by Clark Lindsey of Hobby Space)
Imagine waking up every morning, excited by the mere fact that you are living a hundred million miles away from your home planet, Earth. You slowly ease out of bed, being very careful not to jump too high lest you bump your head against the ceiling (a minor setback of living within reduced gravity).
After briefly enjoying a few hops in a third of your weight, you slip on your gravity suit (due to doctors orders), feed the pigs and dream about someday actually seeing a Martian sunrise from your underground outpost, instead of going above ground at night due to radiation.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the awe inspiring red planet.
Despite the fact that this potential reality may not look too exciting, it is one many governments on Earth would be content with, as they would rather have their astronauts bored to death than “microwaved” via solar radiation.
While some may argue that anti-radiation drugs and portable magnetic shields would allow us to roam the red planet at will (as well as any other radiation safe world), both of these items may increase the overall cost of solar outposts, which may encourage tax payers to grumble about the price tag.
Instead of reducing astronauts into future cave dwellers, why not enclose these future space homes within thick layers of glass and liquid water?
Of the many materials used to protect humans from radiation exposure, lead, aluminum and water are probably the “easiest ways” shield our fragile bodies from the wrath of the Universe.
Even though most colonists would probably prefer a “wall of lead” (or even aluminum) around them, launching the material from Earth (or mining via the asteroid belt) may prove to be very costly, especially when one adds taxes to the final bill.
Water ice on the other hand seems to have placed its finger prints on every solar world save four (Mercury, Venus, Luna aka Earth’s moon and Io) and would provide a far cheaper means of securing our foothold upon these semi-hostile worlds.
Although using water as a cheaper alternative may sound reasonable to some people, using glass may not. After all, would it not be easier to simply use thick, translucent plastics instead of heavy glass?
While plastic does have its advantages over its older friend, it may be easier to create glass off world, mainly due to the fact that silica, one of the main ingredients of of sand (or quartz if you live on Earth) can be used to “easily” create glass on other worlds.
On Mars silica is present within the soil, while on other worlds such as Callisto, and Ganymede, silicon is contained within the crust, respectively. This may be true of the other worlds orbiting Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, although NASA will have to confirm this with future probes (and hopefully rovers).
While water and glass may help provide an inexpensive way of shielding colonists from harmful rays, scientists could also grow radiation eating fungi within the watery walls. This would provide further protection, especially if a lunar colony operates within its host planet’s radiation belt.
Even though it would probably be wise for off world settlers to also carry portable magnetic fields and anti-radiation drugs with them, they would only have to seriously consider using them if they were going to travel well outside the protection of their base, or if they received warning of an impending solar storm.
Aquarium homes may not be the “end all” solution for us dwelling in the heavens, but they could allow humans to actually raise their kids upon the surface of other worlds (beholding their beauty), instead of below it.
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Could Hydrogen Fuel Replace Solar Power?
(Hat tip: IsraGood, Image Credit: Jerusalem Post)
With the supply of nuclear fuel limited (especially for Americans), future space colonies will probably need to look towards the Sun as their source of energy.
While this may benefit colonies located within the inner solar system, beyond the asteroid belt solar power is practically useless.
In order to get around their energy dilemma’s, future colonists may have to rely upon hydrogen fuel in order to keep the lights on.
(Israel 21st Century) Most hydrogen vehicles on the road use a liquid form of the material, which requires a super strong and super heavy storage tank. Liquid hydrogen is unstable and needs to be insulated from the excess shocks of bumps and potholes that are a part of everyday driving, so the tanks themselves are large and heavy, and hold at most 20 liters of fuel – enough for barely 250 kilometers of driving. [...]
The difference? C.En’s tank uses hydrogen gas, collected from the environment (i.e. not produced from fossil fuels) and enclosed in a thin but leak proof glass container. The best part: You’ll be able to buy your “gas” at automotive or discount stores, fueling up every 600 kilometers or so.
“We can build a 60-liter tank that can travel up to 600 km. and weighs no more than 50 kg.,” Stern said, unlike tanks currently used for liquid hydrogen that weigh hundreds of kilos.
“Our company’s breakthrough is in accumulating hydrogen in a glass material that is very small, only a few microns,” said Stern, who is also president of waste treatment company Environmental Energy Resources (EER).["]
If humanity ever decides to settle upon Ganymede and Callisto, future residents could simply extract the hydrogen from the ice water and power their homes without having to haul around a nuclear reactor.
Other icy moons around Saturn, Uranus and Neptune would also be able to benefit from this, as would help cut down the cost of maintaining these outposts (which may convince Earthen governments of their value in supporting them in the first place).
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Moon Society: What About Lunar, Martian Railroads?
Probably one of the few organizations out there that may live to see their world conquered within “its lifetime,” the Moon Society is proposing that future Lunar (and Martian) transportation might have revisit the same technology that helped America conquer the wild west.
(Moon Society Blog) On the Moon and Mars, we aren’t going to find building materials that we can “throw together” to provide shelter from the cosmic elements. We will need pressurized structures. Pressurized modules made in a first quickly industrializing settlement can be shipped by the railroads to points along the route to provide the nucleus of new settlements. Pressurized modules have to be handled with care. Try to haul them overland on unimproved roads and the stresses of bouncing around are going to compromise seals and maybe open cracks. Rails on the other hand will provide a smooth low-friction ride to a prepared siding complex where they can be dropped off and docked with one another to provide an instant starter outpost. [...]
Why take the train when we can fly on Mars? I do believe that we can, but I also think that aviation on Mars will be uncomfortably pushing the envelop and that because of that, it may be risky for some time. [...]
Another thing I have never heard a Mars aviation fan (other than myself) concede is that the equivalent of 125,000 feet on Earth only describes the situation in spring and fall when much of the polar carbon dioxide snow over both polar caps is vaporized. As we go into either summer or winter, a significant part of the atmosphere, as much as 30%, will freeze out over one or the other poles. If Mars flight is possible only seasonally, it will not become the backbone of transportation on Mars.
Rails may provide a more “realistic solution” to conquering both the red planet (as well as the Moon), although they will probably have to be enclosed (or underground like a subway) in order to keep Martian and Lunar dust from setting on the rails via static electricity.
While there are many space organizations promoting their “topic of concern,” the Moon Society is one of the few that actively promotes and/or includes ideals from other groups, even when it is not within their total best interest.
Note: Currently the Moon Society is looking for a “few good space geeks” to help them work out the nuts and bolts (no pun intended) of building these off world rails. Interested users can join their Google Group forum in order to submit their ideas.
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Video: Why Romania May Win The Google Lunar X-Prize
With almost a dozen teams competing for Google’s Lunar X-Prize, one would probably expect a team located within a major space power to dominate this international space race.
While a few teams are presenting innovative ways of landing on the Moon, most have yet to figure out how to leave their home planet without going broke.
Ironically their seems to be only one team that has created an inexpensive way of sending their “little rover” beyond our sky–and the fact that this team is located in Romania may humble competing teams in both the US and Canada.
(Arca Space) HAAS is an innovative air-launched, 3 stages orbital rocket, preliminary designed in 2006 using the technology developed at ARCA during The Ansari X Prize Competition and The European Private Manned Space Program. The rocket was named after Conrad Haas* (1509-1579) Austrian-Romanian medieval rocket pioneer, the first creator of multiple stages rockets. [...]
The HAAS rocket will be lifted at 18.000m altitude with the help of a 2.000.000 m3 Solar Montgolfier balloon.
While this “balloon rocket launch” may not be fit for humans, it may enable colonists to cheaply send supplies to the surface of the Moon, ensuring that our future lunar citizens do not starve to death.
Note: Even though the “solar volley ball” may not be suitable for lunar colonists in the future, it will probably have enough fuel to win the $30 million prize from Google, not to mention securing Romania’s place in the history books.
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Filtering Space Water (On The Cheap)
(Hat Tip: IsraGood, Image Credit: Europa.eu)
Whenever we hear about water being cited on Mars or any other planet-moon body, one often imagines future colonists drinking clear crystal fresh water as if it came straight from the tap.
Unfortunately the chances are that water mined from any foreign world will probably be contaminated with dust particles, making it fairly unhealthy to drink. Filtering this space water will become top priority if we are build cities upon other worlds, let alone conduct research on them.
Fortunately it looks as if one companies invention on Earth could enable us to drink water inexpensively off world.
(Israel 21st Century) “Desalination is cheaper than melting ice,” said Mino Negrin, managing director and founder of Nirosoft, which simulated the environment at the Davis Station in its R&D labs.
The company’s self-contained desalination unit provides up to 100,000 liters a day of purified, desalinated water. Its Lego-like portability makes it easy to ship by air. “We can produce drinking water from almost any source – sea water, rivers and lakes, brackish groundwater, estuaries and lagoons,” said Negrin, who hopes to visit the Antarctic Station sometime this year. [...]
Two of the main advantages of the system are that use of chemicals is minimal, and operating costs are low. No wonder Negrin was sought out by Chinese television. China, with a thirsty population of over 1.3 billion, is facing a water crisis. The rollicking economy is a mixed blessing. Water pollution is rampant. Demand keeps rising as cities, agriculture, and industry compete for diminishing supplies. “We are already selling our products in China,” said Negrin, who sees a big market for Nirosoft in China. “Our products are needed to help solve China’s severe water problems.”
While any ice found would obviously have to be melted, this filtration system could help keep costs down for future solar residents.
If Nirosoft’s technology can help provide clean drinking water to a nation of over a billion people, how much more could it benefit a future space colony populating in the hundreds?
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Turning Martian Air Into Fuel?
(Hat Tip: Mars News)
(Image Credit: NASA)
If humanity is every going to subdue the red planet, then they will need an inexpensive way to transport goods and personal across its crimson deserts.
Instead of looking towards the distant sun to energize our future Martian rovers, why not pull fuel from the “abundant” Martian air?
(Renewable Energy Access) Using concentrated solar energy to reverse combustion, a research team from Sandia National Laboratories is building a prototype device intended to chemically “reenergize” carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using concentrated solar power. The carbon monoxide could then be used to make hydrogen or serve as a building block to synthesize a liquid combustible fuel, such as methanol or even gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
The prototype device, called the Counter Rotating Ring Receiver Reactor Recuperator (CR5, for short), will break a carbon-oxygen bond in the carbon dioxide to form carbon monoxide and oxygen in two distinct steps. It is a major piece of an approach to converting carbon dioxide into fuel from sunlight.
Even though the inventors probably designed this technology to help the world to become energy independent, it may have a more practical use on the crimson world millions of kilometers away.
While future colonists may be able to power their space ports using innovative solar technology, it may be in their best interest to make their vehicles “solar independent,” thereby giving them more freedom to explore the red planet.
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Spacesuits Of The Future…For Today?
(Image Credit: Orbital Outfitters via The Future of Things)
While space suits have to be safe, who says that they have to be boring?
While many companies are in the process of developing unique “solar wear” for future astronauts, it looks as if Orbital Outfitters is concentrating on creating fashionable spacesuits for the emerging space industry.
(The Future of Things) Jeff Feige, CEO of Orbital Outfitters, said his company will soon reveal a model of a passenger spacesuit as well, adding that space travel reservations are quickly piling up. “Our mission is to provide low-cost, industrial quality spacesuits and related services to companies providing commercial and government space travel” – he said. [...]
The spacesuit’s inner layer is made from breathable materials, such as polyurethane, which is capable of preserving the atmospheric pressure level and of extracting sweat from the material underneath it. Details in regards to other fabrics that comprise the IS3C have yet to be disclosed. The most important aspects on which the company’s engineers focused were safety and mobility. Feige said they have succeeded in developing a relatively light suit with lower production costs than any NASA spacesuit. He added that the spacesuit has been tested and performed well under higher pressures than those used in NASA’s suit tests.
The suit also looks spectacular, although if Orbital Outfitters plans on releasing a similar version to space tourists, they may want to consider creating suits in various colors (to help space tourism companies differentiate from each other).
While this suit is probably not designed to handle the roughness of space itself, its success will help fuel the next generation of spacesuits worn by future colonists.
Update: Added image credits.
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Should Solar Powered Satellites Be Built Over Land Or Over Water?
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 rate of inflation, individuals, companies and governments are turning to fresh alternatives to power our rowdy planet.
Recently the US government has taken a fresh look at the possibility of constructing solar powered satellites (or SPS), which would be able to collect energy from the sun and beam it down back to Earth. If doable, these power stations would be able to deliver unlimited energy in a clean, efficient manner (provided the sun does not explode of course).
While launching and building one of these satellites in space may have its own engineering and problems above, constructing the receiving rectenna on land may provide even more nightmares below. In order to avoid these concerns, scientists may want to consider building a solar satellite rectenna over the ocean instead of on top of land.
In order to receive energy from our celestial star, solar powered satellites have to be able to safely convert the energy they collect from the sun and transmit it into microwave radiation. But in order for the entire system to be profitable, the rectennas have to be huge, (about 14 kilometers) in order to be competitive against the fossil fuels that we heavily depend upon.
In order to avoid ugly fights over property rights, some have suggested that these rectennas be built over remote farmlands, with the intention of avoiding major population centers. While this idea may sound wise, farmers will probably not be thrilled with some government object hindering their view of the sky, and express their disappointment by filling the bottom of the structure with holes.
By constructing it over the ocean scientists would be able to avoid worrying about their pet project being attacked by rural neighbors, terrorists or kids pulling a cool Halloween prank. A remote location on the sea would make it harder for outsiders to tamper with the rectenna, which would lower the cost of insurance for the SPS.
Another reason why choosing water over dirt may be more logical can be summed up in one word–lawyers. In order for the government to actually build a rectenna over sovereign soil, they are going to need an army of lawyers, backed up by a literal army enforcing the law.
Despite the fact that the American government (like all governments) has the right to take away property from their own citizens, it does not mean that separating these citizens from their lands will be easy.
In order to avoid everlasting lawsuits, as well as rioting citizens, the government may want to choose building a rectenna on top of the ocean, as constructing in international waters may be easier than on national soil.
Last but not least, if the government (or any company with their blessing) is able to avoid the two former pitfalls, then they may find themselves suffering from the wrath of nature itself. Hail, tornado’s and violent thunder storms can easily damage an enormous rectenna at “the best” and partially reduce it into expensive rubble at the worst.
By comparison constructing a rectenna over a calm ocean (i.e. the Pacific) may avoid most of the weather fallout that asualts us land dwellers.
Even though solar powered satellites may be unable to satisfy the growing hunger of developed nations, they may be able to inspire our world population to go solar themselves. Combined with our friends in space, SPS’s and quality solar power on Earth could enable our species to live on this planet independent of the black gold that plagues our “tiny” world.
Note: Due to lack of time, images will be added later.
Update: Images (with credit) added to the post.
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Self Sustaining Space Habitats A Possibility?
If humanity is ever going to venture beyond lunar orbit, then they need to develop a way to survive off world indefinitely, or at least for long periods of time (as in years).
While no one has yet developed a biosphere that can survive without outside assistance, it looks as if James Chartres (an aerospace engineer from Australia) may have figured out how to create one that is “95 percent efficient.”
(Cosmos Magazine) The Luna Gaia concept integrates technologies such as the Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System (CEBAS), an enclosed aquarium designed by the German Aerospace Centre and the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELIiSSA) developed by the European Space Agency. MELIiSSA uses microbes to purify water, recycle carbon dioxide and derive edible material from waste products.
Algae – which generates oxygen from carbon dioxide via photosynthesis, and doesn’t require pollinating – is the key to the proposed design.
The food required for astronauts would come from a mixture of tending small crops and from pre-packed supplies. Such crops would include peanuts, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and wheat. In addition, certain types of algae, such as Spirulina or Chlorella would provide other vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
If successful, this proposed biosphere could enable humanity to not only build large scale colonies on the Moon, but also actually settle the red planet itself (not to mention Ceres).
The idea is at least 20-30 years away from being realized upon another world, although if proven to actually work Chartres efforts may result in our species raising families upon other worlds.
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Will Ion Engines Replace Chemical Rockets?
Probably not, as chemical rockets are the undisputed champions when it comes to launching anything from Earth’s surface to beyond the sky. However when it comes to general interplanetary travel, chemical rockets may find themselves taking a back seat towards their “star trek” cousins.
(Physorg.com) An ion engine prototype developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center has now accumulated more than 12,000 hours of operation and processed over 245 kilograms of xenon, setting a record for most propellant throughput ever demonstrated by an ion engine.
The engine is the critical component of NASA’s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) system, which uses xenon gas and solar electric power to drive future robotic science spacecraft to distant asteroids, comets, planets and their moons. [...]
Today’s chemical propulsion systems get their big boost and then coast at constant speed until the next boost. An ion engine can produce its small thrust continually and thereby provide near constant acceleration and shorter travel times. Ion propulsion is also ten times more fuel efficient than chemical onboard propulsion systems. This greater efficiency means less propellant is needed for a mission. Spacecraft can then be smaller and lighter, with lower launch costs.
For human missions, future space craft may have to employ both chemical and ion rockets, the former to get off world and the latter to travel in between the planets.
Note: The ion engine is currently being used by the Dawn Spacecraft which was recently launched in order to provide more information about the asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (19th Edition)
Last week’s Carnival of Space was hosted by Fraser Cain from Universe Today.
Although the submissions were few and far between as people were probably getting caught up with work, school or returning from glorious vacations “away from it all”.
For the few who are committed to the cause of enlightening us all, here are a sample of the few posts that were submitted:
- Brian Wang from Advanced Nanotechnology has an interesting post about the Orion spacecraft refueling itself in mid-flight (note: if only Brian ran NASA).
- Emily Lakdawalla via The Planetary Society Blog enlightens everyone on how you can take the various “puzzle pieces” of Rhea and put them together.
- Louise Riofrio of A Babe in the Universe reports on some interesting news regarding Buzz Aldrin at the Mars Society conference (note: Fraser and I both wish we were able to attend).
- Fraser Cain, the one who hosted this entire event discusses submarines for Europa (an idea Seaquest explored many moons ago).
For those of you interested in submitting articles for the next Carnival of Space, Henry Cate has the details.
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Star Trek Surgery Via Ultrasound?
(Image: Star Trek Tricorder, Credit: Paramount, via SpaceRef)
If someone is sick and in need of surgery, all they would need to do is call the nearest doctor or check into the emergency room.
In space, future colonists may not be as fortunate, as having open surgery may be the last thing anyone wants done as the risk for infection may be high, especially with a weakened immune system (thanks to micro gravity).
Fortunately it seems a new device by scientists may allow doctors to perform surgery on the human body without ever “cutting anyone open.”
(SpaceRef) Engineers at the University of Washington are working with Harborview doctors to create new emergency treatments right out of Star Trek: a tricorder type device using high-intensity focused ultrasound rays. This summer, researchers published the first experiment using ultrasound to seal punctured lungs. [...]
High-intensity focused ultrasound is now being investigated for a number of different treatments. It promises “bloodless surgery” with no scalpels or sutures in sight. Doctors would pass a sensor over the patient and use invisible rays to heal the wound. Researchers are exploring the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound – with beams tens of thousands of times more powerful than used in imaging – for applications ranging from numbing pain to destroying cancerous tissue.
Future colonists on the moon and Mars would probably enjoy this technology, as it would enable doctors to operate on individuals without the need for metallic cutting tools, or expensive lasers.
Although yet untested on humans, the results are promising to open up a whole new field of treating wounds, which would benefit not only those on Earth, but astronauts orbiting above it as well.
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SpaceDev To Host The Internet On The Moon?
Although there are many companies out there attempting to return humanity towards the heavens that surround us, it seems as if one company called SpaceDev, Inc. is attempting to not only get us there, but also enable us to browse the world lunar wide web.
(Space Fellowship) SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) announced today that it has been awarded a contract to develop a prototype lunar lander vehicle for the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA). Since 2003, SpaceDev has performed four design and feasibility studies addressing various aspects of the ILO. The ILO will be a spacecraft to conduct optical and radio astronomy from the surface of the Moon, and potentially engage in commercial activities involving not only astronomy, but also photography, communications, and internet hosting. The prototype will achieve smooth landings via precision-controlled throttling of its hybrid rocket motors.
(Note: Emphasis is of the editor)
While some may wonder why a company would attempt to enable internet browsing upon the lunar surface, one only has to look at how the world wide web has changed out planet in order to understand.
The internet has fostered a communication system unparalleled within our human history. By expanding that power off world scientists, engineers, and even future lunar businesses would be able to quickly acquire the necessary information in order to run their laboratories, warehouse’s and offices.
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (17th Edition)
The 17th Carnival of Space was hosted on the Planetary Society Blog, which only a handful of individuals participated in.
A few interesting posts included:
- Louise RioFrio of A Babe in the Universe discusses (with video) about Pulsar’s in the Galactic Halo (with some interesting discussion in the comment section).
- Paul Gilster of Centauri Dreams talks about using dark matter for faster than light travel (a dream of every Trekie).
- Brian Wang of Advanced Nanotechnology gives his spin on the next 50 years of the future space economy and the technologies that will bring us there.
- The mysterious author of Space Files informs everyone about the Russia’s plans of landing on the Martian moon of Phobos, with a video (in Russian) to explain it all.
Thursday’s Carnival will be hosted over at Out of the Cradle, a quote that should be familiar with those who are familiar with Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.
Note: This week I should be able to finally submit a post to the Carnival, and if you would like to join the fun (instead of waiting on the sidelines) then simply read these instructions in order to join the fun.
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Radiation Proof Space Camera's?
(Image: Radiation hardened camera’s could help locate oceans on Europa. Credit: NASA via MSNBC)
Carbon based life forms are not the only ones to fear deadly radiation. Apparently, our cybernetic friends loathe the energetic particles just as much, although they lack the will of HAL to do anything about it.
Previously whenever scientists sent camera’s into the radiation depths of the Jovian giant Jupiter, by degrading the circuits over time. A new invention however may enable these cameras to withstand the fury of Jupiter’s radiation tantrums.
(MSNBC) The technology driving the new detector is a capturing system that immediately converts electromagnetic signals into digital information, pixel by pixel. The method bypasses the standard pathway traveled by analog signals from sensors to the point where the signal is converted to digital data.
High-energy radioactive particles in space degrade these circuits, or pathways, over time and add to noise in the data by making pixels appear artificially bright. [...]
“Our detector converts the analog signal to a digital number within the pixel,” Figer told LiveScience. “Radiation does not have time to affect the signal. And once the data is digitized it’s essentially impossible to pick up noise.”
This technology should help aid future colonists, especially if they consider establishing outposts on Europa or colonizing Ganymede.
This also might aid scientists in observing the turbulent weather that dominates the Sol star’s largest planet within its system.
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (15 Minuets Of Fame)
Thursdays Carnival of Space was hosted by Dr. Pamela Gay over at Star Stryder, which had various posts ranging from Earth to Mars (and back again).
Some interesting posts included:
- Louise Riofrio (aka A Babe in the Universe) has a post (with video) on how NewSpace can potentially save NASA over 90 billion dollars on their lunar quest.
- Brian Wang of Advanced Nanotechnology informs everyone on how a ram accelerator (as well as a magnetic launch ring) could reduce the cost of space by $500/kg.
- Bigelow Aerospace celebrates the fact that they are displaying ads alongside their orbital stations which potentially could be a great source of revenue for Bigelow.
- Paul Gilster of Centauri Dreams discusses why anti-matter will be the fuel of the future and how it can open up the outer solar system (if not beyond).
- Stuart of Cumbrian Sky sums up why everything we do in space (and on Earth) is really about humanities search for new life.
- Fraser of Universe Today gives an encouraging update regarding the Martian rovers.
But the best post thus far was by Phil (from Phil for Humanity) who may have discovered a solution for removing space junk from among the heavens.
(Phil for Humanity) Since it is not economically feasible for a spacecraft to pick up all the pieces of space junk, then I recommend a laser that could vaporize or redirect space debris back to Earth. This laser would probably be most easily installed on the International Space Station, since it will need a huge supply of power that I think the space station could be upgraded to provide. Since only large objects can be detected and redirected by the laser, this solution would be limited.
Create massive blobs of aerogel or lightweight surfaces with huge surface areas so that space debris would impact and be stuck to. Since these objects would be in a slow decaying orbit, this would in affect be a large vacuum cleaner removing potential dangerous materials from space. Furthermore, aerogel would be most cost effective to launch into orbit and burn up completely in Earth’s atmosphere.
Instead of tossing trash away in space, like what was recently done onboard the International Space Station, use waste to create huge orbit junkyards surrounding the space station for additional shielding. These junkyards would additionally be storage locations for resources that future space missions could use if needed.
Note: Emphasis is from the author, Phil.
Although NASA (and the general space community) may not enjoy the idea of using additional space junk as a shield, using a laser to vaporize and/or redirect the orbits of these solar fragments may be much more appealing.
Coupled with a strong “sticky net” humanity may be able to clear the skies of these dangerous objects (of our own creation), lest we find ourselves unhappily stranded here on planet Earth.
(Image: Satellite destroying space junk. Credit: Space for Peace)
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Video: New Way For Landing Humans On Asteroids
Although our species has barely mastered the concept of landing humans upon terrestrial worlds, we have yet to demonstrate the ability to land on rocky ones.
Despite the fact that humans could always send robots to the surface of these space rocks, our governments may be more comfortable sending humans to perform this dangerous job.
But before people can dream about mining asteroids, we are going to need to figure out how to land on them first–a problem that NASA and DigitalSpace may have already solved.
(Video: A unique approach for sending humans to safely land on asteroids. Credits: DigitalSpace)
(USA Today) For starters, gravity is almost non-existent on an asteroid, which can be as small as only a few hundred feet across or as big as tens of miles in diameter. And because asteroids have rocky, sometimes crumbly surfaces, DigitalSpace’s proposed spacecraft includes a system that would anchor it like a boat in a harbor. The design includes a ring of airbags with sensors to detect the stability of the ground. Once a landing is deemed secure, barbed tethers would deploy to latch the craft onto the surface of the NEO. Like car airbags, the ship’s airbags would compress against an asteroid’s surface.
“On an asteroid, it’s a different environment that requires a whole new way to land a spacecraft,” said Bruce Damer, president and CEO of DigitalSpace. “It’s like insects being blown around by the wind; they have all this technology to hold onto your arm.”
If humanity can master the art of landing upon these floating space rocks, then we will be able to not only mine these asteroids for precious metals, but perhaps turn lunar asteroids into space stations.
Although space tourism, helium-3 and solar powered satellites have the potential of jump starting our efforts off world, asteroid mining could finance our species efforts towards conquering our solar system (and hopefully beyond).
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