Category Archives: NEOs

Up in ARMs for No Good Reason

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Jonathan Goff

While there has been some slightly more positive discussion about the NASA Asteroid Redirect Mission since my previous blog post and SpaceNews Op-Ed, there have still been a steady stream of criticisms and suggestions of alternatives to the ARM mission … Continue reading →

Posted in NASA, NEOs | 11 Comments

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

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Jonathan Goff

[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

PhD Dissertation Idea: NEO Trade Network Analysis

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Jonathan Goff

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

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Jonathan Goff

[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

Random Thoughts: A Change of Heart in NEO Size of Interest?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jonathan Goff

I’ve been following the various twists and turns in NASA and private interest in NEOs for a few years, ever since the Flexible Path concept was suggested by the Augustine Committee. While I’ve always been of the opinion that the … Continue reading →

Posted in NASA, NEOs | 9 Comments

Random Thoughts: Asteroids and Money-Mouth Co-location

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Jonathan Goff

With yesterday’s meteorite impact in Russia, I’ve seen several clever tweets featuring this clever picture: But to me, meteor impacts today are nature’s way of asking “Have you thought about donating to the B612 Foundation’s Sentinel Mission lately?” Most serious … Continue reading →

Posted in NEOs | 5 Comments

Thoughts on Jeff’s Talk Part 1: Subeconomic Resources

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Jonathan Goff

I finally got around to watching Jeff Greason’s ISDC talk last night (youtube link here), and it has got me thinking. In an effort to actually get some blog posts going again, I’m going to break this up into chunks … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Commercial Space, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, NEOs, Space Development, Space Exploration, Space Law, Space Policy | 30 Comments

HEFT Frustrations Venting

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Jonathan Goff

So, most of you in the space policy world have heard about NASA’s report back to Congress about how it wants to build an Ares-V classic HLV, but that Congress wasn’t giving them enough time or money, and Congress’ dignified … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, ESAS, NASA, NEOs, Propellant Depots | 80 Comments

Why Not Just Fund the Program of Record?

Posted on December 14, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

Amid all the recent discussion of the Augustine Committee’s results, Mark Whittington asks a question that a lot of people in Congress seem to be asking: “Why not just pay for the current program since any new program is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, COTS, ESAS, International Space Collaboration, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, NEOs, Politics, Space Development, Space Policy | 31 Comments

Forehead Smacking Moments: NEO Delta-V Misunderstanding

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

This is kind of embarrasing to admit, but I had a long-time misconception about the delta-V requirements for reaching NEOs.  A long time ago, I read some figure for delta-V requirements for earth-crossing asteroids.  The figure was ridiculously low, something … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, NEOs | 26 Comments