NASA, the world’s leading space agency, is at a critical juncture. While the ambitious Artemis program is galvanizing public excitement with its vision of returning humans to the Moon and eventually Mars, as of mid-2025 a contentious debate is raging behind the scenes: is the pursuit of human space exploration coming at the expense of […]
Robots or Humans to the Moon and Mars? Read More »
For over half a century the Moon has silently called to us, a “pearlescent orb” in the night sky, a testament to humanity’s past achievements, and a beacon for future endeavours. Now, after decades, NASA and its international partners, including ESA/Europe, Canada and Japan are poised to answer that call once more with the Artemis
The Artemis Moon Mission: The Ultimate Guide to NASA’s New Crew & Launch Programme Read More »
Considering the history of Civil Defence and war preparedness for the UK, Nick Spall looks at how the nation might have to cope with dangers of a future major conventional or nuclear attack, how best to survive it, plus whether space technology may help to provide better warnings of any future conflicts. Also covered is
Civil Defence Emergency and Space – is the UK prepared for a nuclear attack? Read More »
Despite the extraordinary scientific and technological progress of humanity since the world became industrialized over three centuries ago, many of the planet’s communities are still faced with huge problems. Large-scale hunger still exists across the world. Out of a current population of approximately 7.6 bn, the United Nations (UN) believes that over 820 m people
Is Space Exploration Worth the Cost? This Will Change Your Mind Read More »
For many, the dream of being able to take to the skies and fly a light aircraft in an affordable, relatively easily learnt and safe way is an ambition that often gets held back in the UK, mostly through cost worries and training requirement commitments. Training in a small two-seat Cessna 152 can cost over
Learn to Fly Microlights: 10 Crucial Things You’ll Want to Know Read More »
Will Tim Peake fly into space again after stepping down from the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut corps? Although he announced a move to a purely ambassadorial STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) role for ESA and the UK Space Agency in January 2023, might Tim one day fly again privately into space as a
UK astronaut Tim Peake’s new future Read More »
It has been almost two decades since Concorde was retired. Why has there been no replacement and how do we sort the technical, economic and environmental challenges for future supersonic (SST) air-travel? So, will supersonic air travel return? It will depend on a variety of factors, including the successful development of suitable engines and fuels,
Will Supersonic Air Travel Return? Future SST Possibilities Read More »
Astrobiology, Panspermia and The Search for Life Across The Galaxy. So, did our ancestors come from outer space? There is no simple answer to that question – yet. There is a lot of exploratory work being undertaken, as well as extensive investment and planning, in probing regions beyond our own world to increase our knowledge
Did Our Ancestors Come From Outer Space? Read More »
The recent confirmation by NASA that there is definitely useable water in lunar soil is good news for the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA itself. A “Moon Village” at the lunar south pole has been an ambition of both space agencies in recent years and local water is a firm requirement to make the Moon Base
How to Build a Moon Base Using Local Resources Read More »
Following the successful testing and regular flights of Space X’s “Crew Dragon” and continuing test work on the Boeing CST-100 Starliner, a fleet of new spacecraft will be entering service during the 2020’s to replace the current NASA/ESA reliance on the venerable Russian Soyuz spacecraft for Earth-orbit operations. However, traditional cone-shaped capsules rely on parachutes
Spaceplanes v Capsules – Which Will Get Us to the Stars? Read More »
