Crossing the Threshold

25/12/2021

After a successful launch this morning, the James Webb Space Telescope is on its way to the Sun-Earth L2 position. It will take a few months to reach there, but on the way the telescope will deploy and the instruments will be checked out. There are numerous single-point-failures possible as it deploys, but if all goes well, the JWST will begin returning unprecedented views of the universe in a few months. Here's a video of the telescope as it departs Earth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB1B3WzO7Vk

An Ariane 5 rocket second stage deployed the James Webb Space Telescope shortly after launch on Dec. 25, 2021. It's 'humanity's last view' of the new observa...

24/12/2021

The Space Show with David Livingston has been informing the public about space-related activities for 20 years. As a non-profit entity it relies on listener support to continue. All donations are tax deductible. Please consider sending a few dollars their way.
https://www.thespaceshow.com/show/23-dec-2021/space-show-asks-your-support

Feedback: What did you think of this show?:  The Space Show Asks For Your Support Dec. 23, 2021 The Space Show wishes all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We also wish all a very healthy, safe and prosperous 2022. You probably already know this but not all podcasts are the same. No...

24/12/2021

On this day 53 years ago, on December 24, 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts were orbiting the Moon and photographed the Earth rising over the horizon of the Moon. This is among the most famous and influential images even taken, providing a new perspective of the Earth that increased environmental awareness. https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/85/image-earthrise/ https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1249.html

Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts-Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders-held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of th...

20/02/2021

In case you haven't yet seen this, here is some video from the surface of Mars:
https://twitter.com/james7holland/status/1362814591940648960

“Stop everything for 26 seconds and watch this. Footage, with sound (!) from the surface of another planet. Just incredible. https://t.co/sEjKcuOJeZ”

18/02/2021

Perseverence has successfully landed on Mars! NASA's 5th rover and 1st helicopter on Mars.
https://www.nasa.gov/perseverance
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasas-mars-rover-perseverance-touches-red-planet-rcna295

NASA's Perseverance rover will look for signs of past life in a region of Mars where the ancient environment is believed to have been favorable for microbial life.

28/01/2021

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/dor2021/?ICID=ref_fark

Day of Remembrance: Remembering NASA's Heroes,

12/12/2020

Space-based solar power is getting more attention these days. Recent developments are steps toward the scenario described in Crossing the Threshold, where orbiting solar arrays provide the energy we need with minimal impacts on the environment.
https://theconversation.com/solar-power-stations-in-space-could-be-the-answer-to-our-energy-needs-150007

How solar power stations in orbit could become a reality in the coming decades.

08/12/2020

As exploration and development of the Solar System continues and increases, communication between widespread locations would benefit from an integrated network of communications spacecraft. A step toward such a network is being considered by NASA, with a constellation of communications satellites around Mars.
"In recent presentations to advisory committees, NASA officials have discussed the possibility of working with industry to place several satellites into orbit around Mars that would serve as relays for other missions."
Jim Watzin, former director of the Mars Exploration Program who is now a senior adviser supporting human Mars exploration planning at NASA Headquarters, described the communications relay satellites as "an enabler for exploration.”
Rick Davis, assistant director for science and exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said such a network around Mars could increase the data returned from Mars by a factor of 100. This would also mean that future missions would not need their own powerful direct-to-Earth communications systems, and can instead fly with smaller and less expensive systems that can work with the data relay satellites.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-considering-commercial-mars-data-relay-satellites/

Commercial satellites could serve as a communications relay system for future NASA missions, such as an orbiter later this decade to search for ice there.

02/11/2020

Twenty years ago, on this day, the first crew, Expedition 1, to live on the International Space Station docked and went aboard. Since then the ISS has been continuously occupied, with over 240 people living on board or, in a few cases, visiting for a few days.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/space-station-20th-expedition-1-crew-launches-to-the-international-space-station

Space Station 20th: Expedition 1 Crew Launches to the International Space Station!

24/10/2020

OSIRIS-REx has reached asteroid Bennu and collected a sample for bring to Earth.

"Bennu is listed as a potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroid because its orbit can carry it within five million miles of Earth's orbit and it is large enough to survive atmospheric entry. Observations indicate a slight 1-in-2,700 chance Bennu could impact Earth between 2175 and 2199.

One of the goals of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to learn more about the structure and composition of such near-Earth asteroids to help engineers devise methods for diverting or breaking up any such bodies that might one day threaten Earth."

Or if the composition of Bennu is found to be something that may be commercially valuable, this may be a future destination for asteroid miners.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nasa-bennu-asteroid-samples-attempt/

The dramatic effort to collect a sample is the centerpiece of an $800 million mission.

16/06/2020

Here is a timely op-ed by Rick Tumlinson that was posted in Space.com: https://www.space.com/space-race-and-reality-op-ed.html

The space community has work to do when it comes to inclusion.

16/05/2020

Space-based Solar Power (SBSP) may be getting closer to feasibility. A proof-of-concept experiment on the X37-B space plane will test critical technologies for beaming power. "If everything goes well, ... the next step would be to develop an experimental space solar power satellite and actually send energy from orbit to Earth. "
https://www.wired.com/story/a-secret-space-plane-is-carrying-a-solar-experiment-to-orbit/

The idea of beaming solar energy to Earth with radio waves is decades old. But this weekend, the technology gets its first test in orbit.

24/12/2019

On this day, 51 years ago, the Apollo 8 mission took people to the Moon for the first time. During their 10 orbits of the Moon, the astronauts, Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders, were not only the first people to see the far side of the Moon, but also the first to observe an "Earthrise." This became an iconic image, influencing the environmental movement of the era, by clearly showing that the Earth is a precious oasis in the vastness of space and that we are all interdependent. To commemorate the momentousness of being the first to observe the Earth from the Moon, the astronauts took turns reading from the Book of Genesis from the Bible, a fundamental text for three major religions. They ended their transmission on that Christmas Eve with Borman saying, "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you—all of you on the good Earth."

https://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Earthrise-Apollo-8.jpg

12/12/2019

Robotic Construction Workers in Space

NASA's efforts to develop robot construction workers to build structures in space is advancing with a new Challenge prize.

"Debuting in 2013, the physical Valkyrie robot was built by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, but developing her capabilities has been a collaborative effort. In 2017, robotics experts from around the world competed in NASA’s Space Robotics Challenge to program software that would allow Valkyrie to perform possible tasks on a space mission, such as fixing the position of a communication dish or repairing an air leak; the top teams took home a total of $300,000.

This month (December 2019), NASA opens registration for phase two of the Space Robotics Challenge, which wraps in 2021, with winners leaving with an up to $1 million prize. The challenge this time? Participants must come up with a way to direct a team of autonomous robots to successfully detect and excavate resources, such as water or methane, on the moon."

Successful development would enable an idea described in Crossing the Threshold, with teams of robots assembling large structures in space at the L1 point between the Earth and Moon, utilizing materials mined on the Moon and manufactured into parts delivered to the L1 point via a Lunar space elevator.

https://www.freethink.com/articles/construction-robots

Sending construction robots into outer space will help pave the way for human exploration, but there are some real challenges that lie ahead.

11/09/2019

"September 11, 2001 may be the 'real' demarcation of the 21st century. The terrorists who hijacked four airplanes and flew three of them into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., provided a rude awakening to the realities of the new century. The Cold War and the Soviet Union are history, over [since 1991], but conflict has not ended. The possibility of a major conflagration between superpowers has waned, but other conflicts that had been in the wings have taken center stage. Addressing the challenges of the 21st century involves dealing effectively with these conflicts." - from the Introduction to Crossing the Threshold

21/07/2019

On this 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon, it is worth recalling how seeing the Earth from space affected the astronauts. As Buzz Aldrin pointed out "For forty-nine months between 1968 and 1972 two dozen Americans had the great good fortune to briefly visit the Moon. Half of us became the first emissaries from Earth to tread its dusty surface. We who did so were privileged to represent the hopes and dreams of all humanity. For mankind it was a giant leap, for a species that evolved from the stone age to create sophisticated rockets and spacecraft that made a Moon landing possible. For one crowning moment, we were creatures of the cosmic ocean, an epoch that a thousand years hence may be seen as the signature of our century." James B. Irwin, Apollo 15 mission astronaut, described the experience: "As we got further and further away, [the Earth] diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man." From Crossing the Threshold: "Those of us not so privileged to directly view the earth from space have a glimpse of that experience when we look at photographs of the Earth in space. As Aldrin says, we are 'creatures of the cosmic ocean.' Those of us who feel that truth, cross a threshold of awareness of our place in the cosmos" and of our interconnectedness. https://www.businessinsider.com/overview-effect-nasa-apollo8-perspective-awareness-space-2015-8

Astronauts who have looked down at planet Earth from the stillness of space often describe the moment as a life-changing experience.

19/06/2019

Solar system-wide GPS?
One idea described in Crossing the Threshold that would support broader exploration and development of space by simplifying navigation is to have a GPS-style navigation system that covers the inner solar system. This is a step closer to realization with the launch of NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/how-an-atomic-clock-will-get-humans-to-mars-on-time
"It's the first GPS-like instrument small and stable enough to fly on a spacecraft. The technology demonstration enables the spacecraft to know where it is without needing to rely on that data from Earth." ""Every spacecraft exploring deep space is steered by navigators here on Earth. Deep Space Atomic Clock will change that by enabling onboard autonomous navigation, or self-driving spacecraft," said Jill Seubert, the deputy principal investigator."

JPL navigators Todd Ely and Jill Seubert fly rovers to Mars. Now the pair have a new mission: helping to develop a future in which spacecraft and landers navigate themselves.

07/04/2019

Here's an interesting development from MIT and NASA that could benefit not just airplane design and manufacturing, but also the design and construction of structures in space.
https://phys.org/news/2019-04-mit-nasa-kind-airplane-wing.html

A team of engineers has built and tested a radically new kind of airplane wing, assembled from hundreds of tiny identical pieces. The wing can change shape to control the plane's flight, and could provide a significant boost in aircraft production, flight, and maintenance efficiency, the researchers...

24/02/2019

Possible breakthrough in carbon nanofiber production that may be strong enough to support a space elevator.

The Chinese "Tsinghua team, led by Wei Fei, a professor with the Department of Chemical Engineering, says their latest carbon nanotube fiber has a tensile strength of 80 gigapascals." With such efforts underway in several countries, developing a space elevator is an opportunity for international cooperation. Successful development of a space elevator would transform our efforts in space and provide the opportunity for numerous benefits on Earth.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm

Scientists say 1cu cm of the material won't break under the weight of 800 tonnes.

18/02/2019

Space-based Solar Power (SBSP) could potentially resolve environmental issues associated with supplying the energy needed today and in the future. Much additional work is required to make that happen, so this is a long-term solution. Development efforts are underway by several countries. China has recently revealed plans to have an initial power station in orbit in 2030, with a commercial-scale power station by 2050. https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/plans-for-first-chinese-solar-power-station-in-space-revealed-20190214-p50xtg.html?fbclid=IwAR0npJQ_XN5QyQ0cOUgagjm5ODiS3dvNgXFDp_6gy1r3H5lQBk-xo1sO6f4

It could reliably supply energy 99 per cent of the time, at six-times the intensity of solar farms on earth, researcher says.

27/01/2019

Debris in low Earth orbit, especially, is an increasing concern for the safety of astronauts and spacecraft. Addressing the issue is vital for continued activities in space. Researchers at MIT Media Lab are working on ways to reduce the debris, while promoting sustainability on Earth. This article explains more: https://www.space.com/43098-satellite-design-engineering-equity-justice.html

Rethinking current givens like how satellites are built could address not just inequity, but other looming challenges in space exploration as well.

25/12/2018

"Great achievements do not just happen, they require visions of what can be achieved, broadly felt motivation, and the means for accomplishment." - Crossing the Threshold, Chapter 3 - The Lessons of History

It was 50 years ago today, on 24 December 1968, that the Apollo 8 mission orbited the Moon. This feat was a great achievement, occurring because the vision, motivation, and means for it converged. The Apollo 8 mission was a major step toward the Apollo 11 first step on the surface of the Moon the next year. It was the first time that people went further than low Earth orbit and resulted in the iconic Earthrise photo taken during this mission (the cover photo for this page). That mission came at the end of a very turbulent year of war, assassinations, and violent demonstrations. It was a bright ending to a darkly troubling year. At a time of intense divisiveness, Apollo 8, on Christmas Eve, showed what humanity could achieve when we strive for our best.

As they viewed the Earth from Lunar orbit, the astronauts read from the Bible, Genesis 1:1-10, the creation story. That passage was selected partly because several major religions rely on the old testament of the Bible, and at a time of divisiveness this was an effort at inclusiveness. It was also a reminder of the specialness of the Earth. Seeing the colorful, dynamic Earth against the dark background of space also highlighted that we, everyone on Earth, are all in this together.

As we are again in a period of history where divisiveness seems to be ascendant, may we recall the lessons of Apollo on the achievements that are possible when we work together.

Best wishes this holiday season and throughout the year!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/apollo-8-50-years-later-the-greater-leap/

http://www.time.com/5475697/apollo-8-50-years-later/

20/11/2018

What are your thoughts on why we haven't gotten further in space? What are the next breakthroughs needed? https://xkcd.com/2074/?fbclid=IwAR0hzbfuPLYleltQ7M7nzNpVXMDbe7ygxq4V6vXTtEiLOcbpcuZzbaEEokQ

08/11/2018

Orbital debris is an increasing concern that could make key orbital locations unusable, especially with the expected increase in satellite launches in the coming years. Developing ways of preventing and reducing orbital debris will be essential for significant increases in space activities. At Purdue University, David Spencer and his team of students are developing solar sail "drag sails" to deorbit spacecraft at the end of their lives. This, and other technologies, will be needed to keep the "space lanes" cleared for access. https://phys.org/news/2018-11-space-trash-safely-earth.html

Talk about space junk.

26/08/2018

Today is the 100th birthday of Katherine Johnson, an incredible woman who everyone should have heard of.

08/08/2018

Addressing CO2 and global warming is a major issue of the 21st century. This video looks at some possibilities, including mirrors in space. But rather than mirrors in space, why not, instead, put up PV arrays and use the energy collected on Earth and in space? That's one idea considered in Crossing the Threshold that would address multiple issues.
https://www.facebook.com/hotmesspbs/videos/496574974117906/?t=239

20/07/2018

On this day 49 years ago, people first walked on the Moon when Apollo 11 landed in the Sea of Tranquility. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first two people to step onto the surface of the Moon.

Today in 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to set foot on the Moon.

Smithsonian 3D Digitization scanned the Apollo 11 Command Module that carried them and and Michael Collins. The piece—in the collection of our National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution—is currently on a national tour, but 3D scanning allows you to sit where the astronauts sat and see more than you could in a museum visit.

Get a tour of the 3D model: https://s.si.edu/2uwziF9

01/01/2018

With the dawning of a new year come new opportunities. Here's a look at what 2018 may hold in store for space exploration and development. https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/29/16821862/2018-space-missions-rocket-launches-nasa-space-x-elon-musk

There’s a lot going on

14/11/2017

Spacecraft Swarms!

In Crossing the Threshold, the idea was presented to mass-produce spacecraft to lower costs per vehicle and increase the exploration of space. This idea has taken a big step toward being realized. Recent advances in reducing the size of spacecraft components allow small vehicles to have capabilities previously requiring much larger vehicles.

A proposal by European scientists would send 50 nanosats to study 300 asteroids, each nanosat with a "1.57-inch (4-centimeter) telescope capable of imaging the surface of asteroids with a resolution of 330 feet (100 meters) or better" and a spectrometer. "The proposed fleet of nanosatellites could provide crucial data for future lander and sample return missions to asteroids. It could also find promising candidates for asteroid mining."

"The Asteroid Touring Nanosat Fleet project is a response to European Space Agency’s (ESA's) 'Call for new science ideas'." "the total cost of the project is estimated to be about 60 million euros ($70 million)" or 200,000 euros ($233,000) per asteroid."

With full funding, a prototype satellite could fly in five to seven years and would demonstrate innovative electric solar wind sails (known as E-sails). For more information, see:

http://www.astrowatch.net/2017/11/swarm-of-nanosatellites-could-visit.html

European scientists have proposed a mission consisting of 50 tiny spacecraft, which could visit and study over 300 asteroids in a timespan of just over three years. The concept, named Asteroid Touring Nanosat Fleet, was presented at the European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) 2017 that took place...

02/11/2017

Bigelow Aerospace and United Launch Alliance announce plans for a Lunar orbit space station

Utilizing Bigelow's inflatable modules and ULA's launch vehicles, plans include launching initial modules as soon as 2022 to orbit the moon. "This commercial lunar depot would provide anchorage for significant lunar business development in addition to offering NASA and other governments the Moon as a new exciting location to conduct long-term exploration and astronaut training.”

http://www.sciencealert.com/officially-sending-habitat-orbit-moon-nasa-bigelow-aerospace-united-launch-alliance

http://bigelowaerospace.com/

Now that the United States is officially getting back into space exploration, the Moon now seems to be the focus - or at least the starting point - of a lot of plans involving space travel.