Colony Worlds

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Fact Or Fiction? (Water On The Moon)
2009-09-23 06:07:00
It looks like news of the possibility of water on Earth’s little sister Luna is creating a lot of excitement amongst the space geeks community. NASA is scheduled to release the findings this Thursday, which should either boost the cause for lunar exploration at its most dismal period, or cause a collective yawn throughout the media. Previous ...
More About: Fiction , Moon , Blog , Fact , Water

Video: Water Ice Plus Aluminum Equals Rocket Fuel. Huh?
2009-09-23 04:42:00
(Hat Tip: Hobby Space) When it comes to space travel, choosing the right fuel could mean life or death for those watching the rocket blast off into glory. While the hydrogen/oxygen mix has been popular with governments and corporations alike, scientists from Purdue and Pennsylvania State are trying to come up with safer alternatives such as aluminum ...
More About: Video , Technology , Fuel , Blog , Water

Scientists ?Mapquest? Ganymede
2009-09-22 03:03:00
It looks like future explorers of Ganymede will no longer fear getting lost on the solar system’s largest moon thanks to the hard work of scientists (plus their robotic friends). (Physorg.com) Wes Patterson, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, led a seven-year effort to craft a detailed map ...
More About: Blog , Scientists , Jupiter

The Future Of Space Lies East: Chinese Space Stations Vs America?s Timid Na
2009-09-11 04:54:00
(Image: a model of the Chinese space station at the Chinese Pavilion, Hannover Expo. Credit: © Mark Wade of Astronautix.com) With the release of the Augustine Report not too long ago, there has been a flurry of outcry regarding the future of humanity, most notably from the Mars Society. While some may lament the fall of ...
More About: America , Space , China , Future , Blog

A New Martian Hope? Inflatable Heat Shield Could Help Land Men On Mars
2009-08-17 19:23:00
Image: NASA engineers check out the Inflatable Re-entry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE) in the lab. Credit: NASA/Sean Smith Despite their track record with deploying rovers and a lander upon the red planet, NASA admitted a few years ago that they lacked the technology to land humans on Mars . Now it looks as if some new technology could enable ...
More About: Technology , Blog , Heat , Hope

Mars: A Paradise For Plants (But Not Animals And People?)
2009-08-14 05:31:00
Regardless of whether or not you believe that the red planet is the future of humanity, one thing is probably certain–whether it takes a decade or a millennium, humanity will probably settle upon that dusty crimson world. If humanity ever does gain the necessary technology to terraform Mars into a habitable world (air pressure and temperature ...
More About: People , Plants , Animals , Blog

New Colony Worlds Coming Soon?
2009-06-29 21:59:00
Hey everyone, Just to let you know, the new Colony Worlds is coming soon. It should be up by tomorrow. Update (7/31): Thanks for the feedback, but just to clarify it is not your browser that is having trouble viewing the thumbnails (as they have yet to be added to the site). I am manually uploading ...
More About: Blog

Transitioning to WordPress (site will be down over the weekend)
2009-06-27 01:07:00
After moving one blog mostly over to WordPress (2.8), I’m moving the second one as well. I’m not doing this out of the joy for WordPress (as I think Blog ger has many superior features, especially when it comes to media content and blogging). However the “shell” of WP is much more user friendly, and since my ...
More About: Wordpress , Site , Weekend

Switching To WordPress
2009-06-06 20:00:00
After months of debate I have decided to switch two of my blogs (IsraGood and Colony Worlds) from Blog ger to WordPress. Now I’m not making this decision based on “WordPress is better than Blogger” because IMHO they both have strenghths where the other has weaknesses. Anyways both IsraGood & Colony Worlds will be down throughout ...
More About: Wordpress , Switching

Carnival Of The Space Geeks (100 And 101)
2009-05-06 04:28:00
The 100th Carnival of Space (note: we’ve had that many already?!) was hosted by Brian Ventrudo upon One Minute Astronomer which featured many interesting articles ranging from deadly neutron stars to extraterrestrial tweeting to words of Wisdom from NASA’s former leader, Mike Griffin. Interesting articles within our star system included: David Portree (from Beyond Apollo) highlights a ...
More About: Geeks , Blog

Lunar Dust Dilemma Solved (Via Space Umbrellas?)
2009-04-28 06:31:00
Despite having the potential to feed our energy gluttonous world, lunar dust can be fetal to both humans and our robot friends, not to mention very electric (thanks in part to the solar wind). While scientists have suggested melting down nearby Moon soil in order to counter the rough dust particles, it may be better to construct large space ...
More About: Science , Health , Space , Blog

Did Somebody Say Anti-Germ Space Paint?
2009-04-28 05:23:00
Aside from radiation, micro gravity and cabin fever, keeping a space ship clean can easily spell the difference between life and death. Since micro gravity has a way of encouraging the growth of deadly organisms, future explorers will probably have to spend a lot of time keeping their “space trailer” squeaky clean–especially the walls. While cleaning up the space ...
More About: Science , Health , Technology , Space , Blog

One Small Step Away From The Moon? (NASA)
2009-04-28 04:48:00
Despite pursuing a vigorous course to achieve lunarhood on Earth’s nearest neighbor, it looks like NASA’s plan for a Moon encounter may potentially be delayed by a few years. (Orlando Sentinel) NASA’s internal plans had called for Ares V to go to the moon in 2018, though the agency had announced a public goal of 2020. ...
More About: Blog , Small , Nasa , Step

Radiation Safe Worlds
2008-03-05 06:36:00
Of the 83 colony worlds that dance and prance around our golden star, only six worlds (excluding our home planet) hold the potential of being future homes, nine if you include Mercury, Pluto and Charon.Despite the fact that future technology could eventually open up all of these worlds for human habitation, only a few of them may attract "the masses" after the first person sets foot upon their dusty soil due to the "evil R word"--radiation.Contrary to the various rumors, taking heavy doses of radiation does not turn one into the Hulk, one of the members of the Fantastic Four or Spider Man via a radioactive spider bite.Radiation , whether cosmic or solar has the potential of seriously roasting you alive, if not turning one into a vegetable.Even though humans can tolerate "various degrees" of radiation, our bodies seem to be quite content with the level of background radiation our species receives on planet Earth, which is about 0.35 REM's (aka Roentgen Equivalent Man) a year.Higher d...
More About: Worlds , Safe

Video: Why Romania May Win The Google Lunar X-Prize
2008-03-03 17:50:00
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...
More About: Video

Senate Uneasy About NASA Outsourcing To Russians
2008-03-03 16:05:00
With the space shuttle retirement on the horizon, NASA has shifted its focus on not only returning to the Moon, but also on delegating transportation to and from the International Space Station (or ISS) to the Russians .Unfortunately it seems that many Senators are not as comfortable with working with their former foe, especially with tensions heating up between the US and the former Soviet Union.(Government Executive) Senate Commerce Space Subcommittee Chairman Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., trained their sights on what they portrayed as a high-risk reliance on a partner whose ambitions might run counter to U.S. foreign policy goals. ...In the meantime, Nelson said, "there is a realistic political monkey wrench" that could complicate any deal. He said current law forbids any U.S. contract payments to Russia if it continues to support the Iranian nuclear development program, unless the White House requests a waiver and Congress grants it.Even though NASA is conf...
More About: Outsourcing , Nasa

Carnival Of The Space Geeks (43rd Edition)
2008-03-03 14:30:00
Ethan Siegel hosted the 43rd carnival of space over at Starts With A Bang! which featured over 20 excellent posts with an Oscar theme twist.Entertaining articles included solar flares, finding exo-solar rocky worlds, a man who wants to fund his own lunar trip and a play about Galileo and his daughter?A few interesting articles that stood out were:Brian Wang of Next Big Future highlights lunar trucks and mining rovers that NASA may be considering (note: I guess gold is the new black).The Fool over at New Frontiers has an update about Space port America, which will probably attract thousands just from the look alone.Shrubber (the NewSpace's favorite skeptic) is painting another scary image of NASA. Hopefully the problem is not as serious as it seems, as it could easily result in the death of human space flight, especially if Obama becomes president.Pamela and Fraser discuss over at Astronomy Cast where the center of the Universe is located, which may disappoint some politicians (in bo...
More About: Carnival , Geeks , Edition

New NASA Web Feature To Make Its Case For Space
2008-02-27 22:06:00
(Image: New NASA web feature highlights influence of space in the average home, city. Credit: NASA)After previously redesigning their website, NASA it seems has gone a step further by making an interactive feature to help the public understand why the space program has significance (outside of cellphones and the weather channel).(Space Travel) The U.S. space agency has added an interactive program to its Web site, allowing users to discover some of the space technologies that now impact daily life. ...[NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale] said the interactive site takes users on an illustrated tour of the commercial technologies and products in their homes and cities that trace their origins to NASA's space and aeronautics research and development..NASA has documented more than 1,500 examples of how its technologies have been used for bettering life on Earth.This web feature should help NASA make its case for space against "nay sayers," who may have the perception that America i...
More About: Feature , Case , Make , Nasa

Radiation Storm Forecasts Via SOHO
2008-02-27 21:30:00
Video: SOHO's Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) caught this image of a coronal mass ejection. The green static represents the particles that the solar storm projects into space. Credit: NASA.Despite the fact that the majority of the planets, moons and dwarf planets (sorry Pluto) lack a significant atmosphere, future colonists may still tune in to the latest forecast regarding upcoming storms.But instead of storms involving weather, it will be radiation storms that they will be worrying about, a concern that the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) may help us predict.(NASA) Explosive events on the sun can blast particles to high speeds, causing intense radiation storms that can disable spacecraft and cause radiation sickness or cancer in unprotected astronauts. Advance warning of radiation storms could give astronauts time to take cover and allow satellite operators to take protective measures.Scientists are now testing a new method that could do just that. The metho...
More About: Storm , Radiation , Soho , Forecasts

NASA: Can Our Immune System Handle Micro Gravity?
2008-02-27 21:03:00
Even though humans have spent at least a half century orbiting the heavens above, our species still has yet to find a way to adequately survive living "without gravity."Unfortunately for us, micro gravity is not only unfriendly towards our bones, muscles and heart, but can wreck havoc on our immune system.In an attempt to address this issue, NASA is conducting a study in order to help find a way to thwart this semi-major problem.(Space Daily) International Space Station crew members are collecting blood, saliva and urine samples to study their immune function in microgravity.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said while previous research conducted after landing showed dramatic changes in crew members' immune systems, the on-going first-of-its-kind study is the only one to comprehensively monitor the human immune system before, during and after spaceflight.This study is critical if humanity is ever going to live off world, especially since micro gravity gives harmful ...
More About: System , Micro , Immune System , Nasa , Handle

Using Lunar Rock For Future Moon Bases
2008-02-26 05:21:00
(Image Credit: NASA)With NASA preparing to send humans once more to the Moon , many people have been envisioning humans creating lunar space bases out of metals either mined from our Earthen cradle or from the asteroids far away.While building with such materials may add to the beauty of a lunar home, it would also add to the cost, raising the price tag of us settling lunar side. In order to help keep costs down (and the vision from being potentially killed) it may be better for humanity to choose lunar rocks and dirt instead.(Universe Today) As it turns out, lunar regolith has many useful properties for construction on the Moon. To complement lunar concrete (as introduced earlier in Part 2), basic building structures may be formed from cast regolith. Cast regolith would be very similar to terrestrial cast basalt. Created by melting regolith in a mold and allowing it to cool slowly would allow a crystalline structure to form, resulting in highly compressive and moderately tensile bui...
More About: Future , Rock , Lunar

Will Interorbital Dominate The Space Tourism Industry?
2008-02-26 04:23:00
(Hat Tip: Space ports, Image Credit: Interorbital)So far the biggest contender in the upcoming space tourism industry is probably Virgin Galactic, whose early entrance (plus safety features) may give it a "Google" edge over its rivals.However a new entrant to the field is promising to make its rides more attractive by not only offering up to a weeks worth of weightlessness (for $2.5 million) but by also down playing the major players in the upcoming space arena.(Interorbital) Several companies are currently offering seats on manned suborbital joyrides. Some rocketplane developers are advertising two-hour suborbital trips into space. Beware! An actual suborbital rocketplane ride to the edge of space and back lasts only 15 minutes. Most of the two-hour suborbital trip will be spent cramped inside the rocketplane's cockpit being hauled up to launch altitude. And then, after the completion of the 15-minute suborbital roller coaster ride, the passengers will have experienced only a few m...
More About: Industry , Tourism , Space Tourism

Carnival Of The Space Geeks (42 And Going Strong)
2008-02-26 03:47:00
Chris Lintott's hosted last weeks Carnival of Space over at Chris Lintott's Universe, featuring articles ranging about Saturns moons to updates about NewSpace to even some back ground info regarding the NASA logo (note: be sure to read the comment section).A few interesting reads include:Paul of Centauri Dreams has a great idea of where to place the worlds most powerful (future) telescope.The Fool of New Frontiers has a great introduction for "newbies" regarding the Orion Crew Vehicle.Ed over at Robot Guy publishes some alarming news regarding NASA's future rocket, which could threaten the entire Vision for Space Exploration (at least on the government side of things).There are plenty of other articles to discover, and if you would like to participate in the next Carnival of Space, a simple trip towards Universe Today would enlighten you on how to enter. Content Copyright 2006-2008 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under national and...
More About: Geeks , Strong

NASA Warms Up To NewSpace, Offers Commerical Launchpad
2008-02-20 03:51:00
It looks as if America's one and only space agency is taking aggressive measures to court the private sector (aka NewSpace).(Florida Today) NASA will unveil plans this week that would enable Florida or private companies to build and operate a commercial launch complex at Kennedy Space Center.With shuttle fleet retirement set for 2010, the complex could pave the way for an American company to launch U.S. astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station rather than buying those services from Russia.While there are many space firms seeking to launch American astronauts when NASA retires its shuttle, SpaceX seems to be best positioned to help "fill in the gap" while NASA works on the Orion rocket.This is a smart move by NASA, as outsourcing its transportation to Russia may not be a wise idea, especially with tensions heating up between the two space powers. Content Copyright 2006-2008 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under natio...
More About: Offers , Nasa

Bigelow Aerospace: 50 Launches In Five Years?
2008-02-20 02:51:00
(Hat Tip: Space Pragmatism) (Image: Bigelow 's first Space Station, Genesis 1, currently in orbit)If there was any space firm out there turning galactic dreams into reality, it would have to be Bigelow Aerospace. Known mostly for their inflatable space stations, this company is quickly becoming "the Google" of the space industry.After previously teaming up with Lockheed Martin, the future space station corporation is scheduling 50 rocket launches in less than half a decade, a feat most nations could only dream of accomplishing.(Flight Global) Commercial orbital complex developer Bigelow Aerospace is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to provide a manned capsule and up to 50 Atlas V launches for crew and cargo by 2015. ...In late 2006 Bigelow announced it was in talks with Lockheed and the two are now in firm discussions for a contract for the 2010 and 2011 launches followed by six launches in 2012, 12 in both 2013 and 2014 and then 18 in 2015, in line w...
More About: Years

Carnival Of The Space Geeks (New Frontiers-41)
2008-02-20 01:46:00
The Fool hosted last weeks Carnival of Space , which featured an array of articles ranging from evil carnivorous galaxies to Earth's "other moons," to even ponderings about the lack of space themed TV shows.Of the many posts featured at the Carnival, here are a few that caught this authors attention.Louise of A Babe in the Universe mentions an underground "swimming pool" around the southern pole of Enceladus (a feature future colonists may enjoy)Paul over at Centauri Dreams highlights a bacteria that is able to live off of infrared light, which could enable us to grow genetically altered plants underneath dim sunlight.Clark of RLV and Transport News enlightens everyone regarding the future economics of space tourism (note: middle class now included)Brian Wang on Next Big Future discusses a new magnetic launch concept, which unfortunately no one (with deep pockets) is seriously considering.Flying Singer of Music of the Spheres wonders why NASA is not exciting the public about space, ...
More About: Geeks

Japan: We Will Build A Solar Powered Satellite By 2030
2008-02-13 04:18:00
(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 collectors in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. The satellites convert sunlight into powerful microwave (or laser) beams that are aimed at receiving stations on Earth, where they are converted into electricity.On February 20, JAXA will take a step closer to the goal when they begin testing a microwave power transmission system designed to beam the power from the satellites to Earth. In a series of experiments to be conducted at the Taiki Multi-Purpose Aerospace Park in Hokkaido, the researchers will use a 2.4-meter-diameter transmission antenna to send a microwave beam over 50 meters to a rectenna (rect...
More About: Satellite , Build

Is NewSpace Becoming Mainstream?
2008-02-13 03:45:00
Often seen as the weirdo outsiders with too much time (and too little money) on their hands, the private space industry--often called NewSpace--are often marginalized to the side of the "overall space race" with greater emphasis placed upon NASA and their favorite pals Lockheed-Martin and Boeing.But with the Bigelow Aerospace partnering with Lockheed-Martin, Dan Schrimpsher from Space Pragmatism brings up an interesting point regarding this relationship.(Space Pragmatism) It is common among new space folks to talk about traditional aerospace as "dinosaurs" who live off the government and pooh-pooh creativity and innovation. However, what I think this proves it the more correct statement that they are looking for profit.Lockheed builds rockets for the military and NASA because it is a safe way to make money. What the new agreement with Bigelow shows me is that Lockheed Martin sees these stations as a viable way to make money. They don't normally push new ideas because they are risky...

Building A Lunar Base: Problems And Solutions
2008-02-12 23:51:00
Aside from the sun, the celestial object that is the most familiar to kids and adults alike is the Moon.While other planets and moons may offer a more exciting environment, our second journey towards the stars will probably begin with our lunar friend in the sky, in part due towards its distance from Earth.However, if humanity ever decides to dwell upon lunar soils, they will have to figure out a way first to survive upon them.(Universe Today) So where do you start when designing a Lunar Base ? High up on the structural engineers "to do" list would be the damage building materials may face when exposed to a vacuum. Damage from severe temperature variations, high velocity micrometeorite impacts, high outward forces from pressurized habitats, material brittleness at very low temperatures and cumulative abrasion by high energy cosmic rays and solar wind particles will all factor highly in the planning phase. Once all the hazards are outlined, work can begin on the structures themselves....
More About: Building , Problems , Solutions

Belated: Carnivals Of The Space Geeks (39 And 40)
2008-02-09 02:15:00
After taking a longer than expected hiatus from blogging, it looks like I forgot to mention the previous carnival (not to mention a few other key stories). So in an attempt to "catch up," both space carnivals will be rolled into one post.Carnival of Space 39The 39th Carnival of Space was hosted by Sean Welton of Visual Astronomy who linked to posts ranging from astro-poetry to analysis on the raging Jupiter storms.A few interesting posts readers should check out from the Carnival include:Amanda Bauer of Astropixie gets a little excited about Virgin Galactic's Spaceship Two (note: how could you not get excited?).Brian Wang of Next Big Future discusses the upcoming Space Elevator Games, and their one kilometer challenge (note: I'll have to see if I can book a flight out there in September).Missy Fryer asks whether or not the lunar missions should be replaced with missions towards asteroids.Pamela Gay of Star Stryder lays out the case for the existence of dark energy, a controversial...
More About: Geeks , Carnivals