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 nuclear attack, how best to survive it, plus whether space technology may help to provide better warnings of any future conflicts. Also covered is whether there 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) for ESA and the UK Space Agency in January 2023, might Tim one day fly again privately into space as a follow-up …
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 …
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 …
Following the successful testing of Space X’s “Crew Dragon” and continuing work on the Boeing CST-100 Starliner, a fleet of new spacecraft will be entering service during 2020/1 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 and cannot return precisely to …
Spaceplanes v Capsules – Which Will Get Us to the Stars? Read More »
Updated March 2023 New spacecraft are coming into service that will reduce the cost of access to space for aspiring astronauts and the world’s space agencies are taking on new astronauts to work on the International Space Station (ISS) and perhaps one day travel to the Moon and on to Mars. Very few people have …
How To Become an Astronaut in the UK in 2023- Key Requirements Read More »
“Space travel is returning to where it started: with maverick pioneers dreaming of journeys to orbit and beyond, some carrying out rocket experiments in their own backyards. The rise of citizen astronauts has already begun.” Arthur C Clarke Forward to SpaceShipOne: An Illustrated History 2008 Since private individuals first started visiting the International Space Station …
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Space Tourism – A 2021 Guide Read More »
