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 0 (0)

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 0 (0)

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 0 (0)

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 0 (0)

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 0 (0)

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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