Monthly Archives: January 2015

Random Thought: Simulating Mars Speed-of-Light Delays on ISS

[Note: I’m almost positive this isn’t a new idea, but I figured I would share it, just in case.] One of the many concerns with deep-space human spaceflight missions, is that all of NASA’s experience has been with missions close … Continue reading

Posted in Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, NEOs, Space Exploration | 16 Comments

Launching a Torus Station

A torus space station is one of the staples of future thinking. Launching it in one piece from the ground is not. It has however, been occasionally mentioned in various comments. Here are a few numbers on the idea a few … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 30 Comments

PhD Dissertation Idea: NEO Trade Network Analysis

Frequently I wish I could afford to have a personal orbital dynamics minion that I could have run analyses for me whenever I have a complex orbital dynamics question and would like to test my intuition. Unfortunately, Altius isn’t successful … Continue reading

Posted in NEOs, PhD Dissertation Ideas | 11 Comments

Top 10 Reasons Why Something ARM-like Is Worth Doing

[Up-front Disclaimer: My space startup is being paid under the Asteroid Redirect Mission BAA to do a study contract on one possible way to do the Option B mission. Even though we’re not dependent on follow-on work, I figured it … Continue reading

Posted in Commercial Crew, International Space Collaboration, ISRU, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, NEOs, Space Development, Space Exploration | 25 Comments

Wild Data-Free Speculation on the SpaceX Landing Attempt

First, before saying anything else–congrats SpaceX! Both on the successful launch, and on coming so close to a successful recovery as well! If SpaceX’s competitors aren’t feeling the heat yet, I don’t know when they will. As most of you … Continue reading

Posted in SpaceX | 16 Comments

Random Thought: Dragon V2 as an xGRF Platform?

Review: How Much Gravity Do We Need, and Why Do We Care? One of my hobby horses that I’ve blogged about a few times is the question of how much gravity do humans need to be healthy? As I’ve pointed … Continue reading

Posted in Commercial Crew, Commercial Space, NASA, Space Development, Space Settlement, Space Tethers, SpaceX, Variable Gravity | 35 Comments