Category Archives: Back to the Moon, Onward to Mars

Humanity’s return to the Moon: building orbital and lunar surface bases; preparing for deep space missions, including expeditions to Mars

Radian Aerospace PFV01, Remembering Max Valier

It’s not what I’m writing about this week, but an article in TechCrunch about a prototype space plane got my attention. And reminded me of a promising development of the 1920s that didn’t work out. About a century back, someone … Continue reading

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India: Fourth on the Moon, First near Lunar South Pole

India became the fourth nation to land on Earth’s Moon this week. And the first to land near the Lunar south pole. This is a very big deal. So, in a different way, was the “abnormal situation” that turned Russia’s … Continue reading

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Snow Cruiser, Moon Buggies, Mars Tractors

I started writing about the Antarctic Snow Cruiser, “one of the colossal engineering flops of history”. Or, my opinion, a basically good design that was rushed into service. The Snow Cruiser and Little America III reminded me of imperial ambitions … Continue reading

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Mars, MOXIE and More

Humanity is one step closer to exploring Mars, in person. With people living and working on the surface. And eventually, I think, living there permanently. That’s going to take time. But like I said, we’re one step closer. This week … Continue reading

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Single Stage to Orbit, Eventually

A tip of the hat to Anthony Stevens, whose recent op-ed started me thinking about this week’s topics. I’ll be talking about ideas that didn’t work out, or haven’t yet; three cool single-stage-to-orbit vehicles, including one that flew; and, finally, … Continue reading

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