Sunday, June 26, 2016

Video: James Logan, MD - Living on Mars

James Logan, MD - Living on Mars
YouTube, Jan 26, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPVORuanf18

Titled: Living on Mars: Medical Realities of the Red Planet (or any other virtually airless celestial body with no magnetosphere). This fascinating video highlights problems humans will face in living long term in space.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

In fact: After reuse trial, long flight ahead

In fact: After reuse trial, long flight ahead
Indian Express, 27 May 2016
http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/isro-reusable-launch-vehicle-rlv-rocket-launch-2820965/

The excitement over the success of the RLV is deserved, but ISRO has done this twice before. The cost benefits of a reusable launch vehicle remain uncertain, and the challenges before ISRO huge.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Vector Space Systems Interview

Vector Space Systems interview
Business Insider, 6 June 2016
http://www.businessinsider.com/new-company-wants-to-change-the-way-we-think-about-spaceflight-2016-6

We spoke to the CEO of a new company that wants to revolutionize the way we think about spaceflight

Jim Cantrell, CEO and co-founder of Vector Space Systems who was involved in the early days of SpaceX, wants to do for spaceflight what Apple CEO Steve Jobs did for so many other industries: Revolutionize it.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Towed Glider Air Launch System

Towed Glider Air Launch System
Nasa NTRS, 6 June 2016
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20160006964&qs=N%3D4294129243

A remotely-piloted glider, towed by a modified cargo/passenger jet, releasing a launch vehicle with payload at 48K’, M=0.75, up to a 700 flight path angle, safely & effectively...The studies showed the concept is do-able...next step is the Proof of Concept

Thursday, March 17, 2016

NASA's Raspberry Pi-based Pi-Sat Cubesat

NASA's Raspberry Pi-based Pi-Sat Cubesat
Spaceref, 14 March 2016
http://spaceref.com/nasa-hack-space/nasas-raspberry-pi-based-pi-sat-cubesat.html

The Innovative Technology Partnerships Office (ITPO) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, invites educators, students and the general public to celebrate Pi Day and discover Pi-Sat.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

First liquid fuel rocket launched 90 years ago

First liquid fuel rocket launched 90 years ago
CosmosMagazine, 16 March 2016
https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/first-liquid-fuel-rocket-launched-90-years-ago

On his Aunt Effie's farm in 1926, Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fuelled rocket – and with it, modern space exploration.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Aerojet Rocketdyne successfully tests 3D printed injector for RL-10 upper-stage rocket engine

Aerojet Rocketdyne successfully tests 3D printed injector for RL-10 upper-stage rocket engine
3Ders.org, 9 March 2016
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160309-aerojet-rocketdyne-successfully-tests-3d-printed-injector-for-rl-10-upper-stage-rocket-engine.html

That company has just revealed its latest success: a successful testing round for a 3D printed injector for the RL10 upper-stage rocket engine, arguably the most reliable upper stage rocket engine in the world right now.