Space Exploration Technologies
Astronauts Will Soon be Getting a Space Fridge, Keeping Everything Cold in Zero-G
One of the least known of NASA’s funding mechanisms is the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This program, required…
Plasma Thruster Could Dramatically Cut Down Flight Times to the Outer Solar System
I just finished the most recent season of The Expanse - my current favourite Sci-Fi series. Unlike most of my…
New Drones for Exploring Mars are Getting Tested in Iceland
It's looking more and more like the future of space exploration could involve drones in a big way. We've already…
A Robot Made of Ice Could Adapt and Repair Itself on Other Worlds
Some of the most tantalizing targets in space exploration are frozen ice worlds. Take Jupiter's moon Europa for instance. Its…
Room-temperature Superconductivity Achieved for the First Time, but There’s a Catch
One of the most interesting things about space exploration is how many technologies have an impact on our ability to…
New Receiver Will Boost Interplanetary Communication
As we explore the solar system, we'll need an interplanetary communication network that can keep up. A new receiver might…
Finally! A Solution to Deal With Sticky Lunar Dust
As a wise man once said, “I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating - and it gets…
One Step Closer to Interstellar Travel. A Successful Microgravity Test of a Graphene Light Sail
If we want to travel to the stars, we're going to have to be creative. The answer might be light…
New Photos From LightSail 2
Ten months in space! The Planetary Society's LightSail 2 spacecraft just reached that milestone. And the fine folks at the…
A New Technique to Make Lighter Radiation Shielding For Spacecraft: Rust.
A new technique for creating lighter and cheaper radiation shielding involves a secret ingredient: rust!