Sunday, March 28, 2021

The new race to the moon: the Artemis Alliance vs. the Sino-Russian Axis

Space News recently reported that China and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding to build what the two countries call an “International Lunar Research Station” (ILRS). The facility would conduct a number of activities either on the lunar surface or lunar orbit and would be “open to all interested countries and international partners.”

Whether deliberate or not, the two countries have formed an axis against what has come to be known as the Artemis Alliance being formed by NASA with a number of countries and commercial partners. In effect, China and Russia have challenged the United States and the rest of the world to a new race to the moon.

Physics as we know it is elegant and exquisitely accurate. It tells almost nothing about the deepest riddles of the Universe

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Bill Nelson's nomination as NASA administrator is replete with irony

The reported nomination of former Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) to be the next NASA administrator proves, if it does anything, that it is a turning world.

I'll have my comments on this matter on Sunday. Sen Rick Scott, the man who made away with Nelson's senate seat, has stated that he will have "some questions" for the nominee. Should be entertaining.

President Biden Announces his Intent to Nominate Bill Nelson for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

In the meantime, an unusual endoresment to say the least.

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine today released the following statement after the Biden administration nominated Senator Bill Nelson to lead NASA.

"Bill Nelson is an excellent pick for NASA Administrator. He has the political clout to work with President Biden's Office of Management and Budget, National Security Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and bipartisan Members of the House and Senate. He has the diplomatic skills to lead an international coalition sustainably to the Moon and on to Mars. Bill Nelson will have the influence to deliver strong budgets for NASA and, when necessary, he will be able to enlist the help of his friend, President Joe Biden. The Senate should confirm Bill Nelson without delay.”

How Dan Crenshaw and Elon Musk want to fix Texas's energy grid

Since the deep freeze that brought down the Texas energy grid, causing millions of Texans to freeze in the dark, a variety of fixes have been proposed to ensure that such an event never happens again.

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Will a space hotel actually be open for business in 2027?

One of the most spectacular sequences in the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" depicts a space shuttle carrying Heywood Floyd to a space station in the shape of a wheel, spinning to create artificial gravity. The space station in question is run by Hilton, a major hotel chain. The space shuttle, by the way, was run by Pan Am, which was once a major airline.

Fast forward 53 years later, a company called Orbital Assembly proposes building a space hotel by 2027. According to the plan, a wheeled structure would have accommodations for up to 280 guests, with a gourmet restaurant, entertainment center and a gym included. The first space hotel would be dubbed Voyager Station.

Would Carl Sagan have agreed with Elon Musk for wanting to settle on Mars?

Not everyone is enthused about Musk’s desire to build a city on Mars. A recent article in The Atlantic written by Shannon Stirone suggests that it is unseemly and unethical for a capitalist like Musk to even think that he can build a Mars settlement, thus presuming to “own” the Red Planet like one of his companies.