Moon – Impact Lab

Space

The Gas Station in Space: Orbit Fab’s Ambitious Plan to Extend the Life of Satellites

May 3, 2023

Orbit Fab, an American company founded in 2018, is hoping to revolutionize the satellite industry by producing in-orbit “gas stations” that can refuel satellites, making them more sustainable and profitable. Satellites currently rely on limited fuel supplies to stay in position, but with the ability to refuel in orbit, they could be used for longer periods of time, reducing the cost of manufacturing and launching them.

Orbit Fab’s plan involves sending large tanks containing several tonnes of fuel into orbit and using smaller vessels to shuttle fuel between the tanks and satellites. Although the risks associated with operating such a system are high, the company has conducted numerous tests and is confident it will be safe.

communication, Science & Technology News, Space, Space Flight

The Moon is set to get its own mobile phone network

March 4, 2018

The moon, shown here in a 1992 image captured by NASA’s Galileo spacecraft, is set to get its own mobile phone network.

Continue reading… “The Moon is set to get its own mobile phone network”

Breakthrough Thinking, Business, Crazy Stuff, Great New Product, Science & Technology News

12,000 dollar Moon funeral

September 11, 2015

Choosing the spot where your remains will live for eternity is a tough one, especially because there is no changing your mind once it’s said and done. For those looking for a really spectacular way to spend $12,000 that isn’t a lavish funeral on Earth, the San Francisco-based Elysium Space has you covered, offering to shoot your ashes into space or even onto the surface of the moon. Continue reading… “12,000 dollar Moon funeral”

Analysis, Money Talk, Science & Technology News, Space

How much money would it take to build a space base?

November 20, 2014

Moon base

How much would it cost to establish a space base on the Moon or an asteroid? Universe Today spoke with Philip Metzger, a former senior research physicist at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, who has explored this subject extensively on his website and in published papers.

Continue reading… “How much money would it take to build a space base?”

Analysis, Science & Technology News, Space

Top 10 myths about space we need to stop believing

September 15, 2014

An asteroid belt around the bright star Vega.

Should you be getting your facts about space from Hollywood? Probably not. Here are ten myths about space you should stop believing.

Continue reading… “Top 10 myths about space we need to stop believing”

Analysis, Business, Science & Technology News, Space

The future of moon exploration

July 24, 2014

Bigelow Aerospace plan to build bases on the moon.

One day, a rocket carrying more than a dozen privately built probes touches down on the moon. The robots burst from the vehicle in a race to beam back high-definition video and other data while roving the surface of Earth’s nearest natural satellite. The people of Earth watch a broadcast of the race as the rovers roam (or stall) in the lunar dust. (Videos)

Continue reading… “The future of moon exploration”

Alternative Transportation, Great Videos, Science & Technology News, Space

Lunar space elevator planned by the end of 2019

March 11, 2014

By the end of 2019, Liftport has the goal establish an operational Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure using:

Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Technology
“Sputnik-like Simplicity”
A Single Launch Solution

Continue reading… “Lunar space elevator planned by the end of 2019”

Business, Science & Technology News, Space

NASA looking to private companies to mine the moon

February 17, 2014

Below the surface there exist deposits of water, rare minerals, and other substances not so common here on Earth.

Instead of NASA resupplying the International Space Station, private corporations have taken on that job. Mars One has just as good a chance as NASA does at establishing a permanent colony on Mars. Even the Moon, which has for so long been NASA’s claim to fame, is now being offered up on a silver NASA-backed platter.

Continue reading… “NASA looking to private companies to mine the moon”

Science & Technology News, Space

NASA plans to make water and oxygen on the surface of the Moon and Mars by 2020

February 1, 2014

NASA is taking steps that could lead to colonization of other planets.

NASA is working on plans to make water, oxygen, and hydrogen on the surface of the Moon and Mars. It is vital that we find a way of extracting these vital gases and liquids from moons and planets if we ever want to colonize other planets, rather than transporting them from Earth (which is prohibitively expensive, due to Earth’s gravity). The current plan is to land a rover on the Moon in 2018 that will try to extract hydrogen, water, and oxygen — and then hopefully, Curiosity’s successor will try to convert the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into oxygen in 2020 when it lands on Mars.

Continue reading… “NASA plans to make water and oxygen on the surface of the Moon and Mars by 2020”

Business, Energy, Globalism, Science & Technology News, Solar Power

Japan wants to supply the world’s energy from a giant solar power plant on the moon

December 2, 2013

The Japanese architectural and engineering firm, Shimizu, has a solution for the climate crisis: Simply build a band of solar panels 400 kilometers (249 miles) wide running all the way around the Moon’s 11,000-kilometer (6,835 mile) equator and beam the carbon-free energy back to Earth in the form of microwaves, which are converted into electricity at ground stations.

Continue reading… “Japan wants to supply the world’s energy from a giant solar power plant on the moon”

Analysis, Historical Perspectives, Science & Technology News, Space

Buzz Aldrin wants a manned mission to Mars within 25 years

June 25, 2013

Buzz Aldrin was the second person to walk on the Moon in 1969.

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the surface of the Moon on July 20, 1969, it appeared as though mankind was on the verge of a new age of space exploration. After all, if the moon could be conquered, what could prevent us traveling to other planets, even to other solar systems?

Continue reading… “Buzz Aldrin wants a manned mission to Mars within 25 years”

Photo Perspectives, Science & Technology News, Space

European Space Agnecy wants a 3D printed building on the moon

February 2, 2013

Moonbase

The European Space Agency wants to 3-D print a moon base. But one of the biggest challenges would be the expense (in terms of energy) to get supplies off of Earth. One way is to send as little as possible to the Moon. Couldn’t we just make a moon base out of rock? After all, the moon is already made of rocks. (Pics)

Continue reading… “European Space Agnecy wants a 3D printed building on the moon”