NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s support for Elon Musk’s idea to put AI data centers in space and power them with solar panels did not occur in a vacuum. It comes not just against a background of rising, bipartisan opposition to ground-based data centers but also the recent announcement of an immense, SpaceX Starbase to be built in Louisiana.
Curmudgeons Corner
Random thoughts on politics, current events, popular culture, and whatever else interests me.
Sunday, September 06, 2026
Saturday, September 05, 2026
From Book 1: July, 1969, the crew of Apollo 11 has triumphantly returned to Earth. In this alternate history thriller, President Richard Nixon puts into a motion a scheme to ramp up the space race to pressure the Soviets into making diplomatic and military concessions. Thus begins a story of high adventure on the final frontier and of low intrigue in the corridors of power back on Earth. It will prove to be the fulfillment of a dream for Wendy Pendleton to be the first woman to walk on the moon. It will be a nightmare for Cal Lauren, a political operative determined to stop the space race at all costs to fund the social programs he holds dear.
Children of Apollo: The Space Race Gambit continues with Children of Apollo: The Hard Road to the Stars and concludes with Children of Apollo: The First Woman on the Moon.
Friday, September 04, 2026
Thursday, September 03, 2026
Wednesday, September 02, 2026
Tuesday, September 01, 2026
Monday, August 31, 2026
Sunday, August 30, 2026
The liftoff of China’s Chang’e 7 mission to the moon has been delayed into 2027. Ars Technica reports that the Chinese are being vague about the exact reasons for the delay, only suggesting it is due to, adhering to “the principle of proceeding prudently and reliably, and ensuring absolute success.”