Space – Impact Lab

People Making a Difference, Robotics, Robots

Robots in the Underworld: Lunar Cave Scouts Could Decide Where Humans Live Next

August 17, 2025

What if the first permanent human homes on Mars or the moon aren’t on the surface at all, but hidden deep beneath the ground in ancient lava tubes?

That’s exactly the frontier a team of scientists is preparing for—by sending autonomous robots into volcanic caves here on Earth. The testing ground: Lanzarote, a volcanic island in Spain’s Canary Islands. Its subterranean passages bear an uncanny resemblance to the underground caverns already confirmed on the moon and suspected on Mars.

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.

3D Printer, Engineering, New Discoveries, New Inventions, Science & Technology News, Space

Scientists use Martian dust to 3D print tools

May 3, 2017

Food and transportation aren’t the only aspects of a mission to Mars scientists must consider. Limited cargo space means to obtain tools or similar items, astronauts may need to make use of resources available on the red planet – like dirt. Four Northwestern University researchers were recently able to utilize a Martian dust simulant to 3D print building blocks and tools.

NASA started looking into space 3D printers back in 2013 to manufacture repair parts or tools. Now Northwestern scientists have used lunar and Martian dust simulants approved by NASA to 3D print tools in a process the university described as simple, scalable, and sustainable.

Continue reading… “Scientists use Martian dust to 3D print tools”

Breakthrough Thinking, Business, Space, Space Flight, SpaceX

Living On Mars: First City on Red Planet Planned by United Arab Emirates in ‘Mars 2117’ Project

March 10, 2017

The world has set its sights on Mars — not just to visit, but to stay. Private organizations and governments have made it their mission to get to the Red Planet, and the United Arab Emirates wants to be first. The UAE said it planned to build the first city on Mars in 100 years. (Pics)

Continue reading… “Living On Mars: First City on Red Planet Planned by United Arab Emirates in ‘Mars 2117’ Project”

Analysis, Future, NASA, Science & Technology News, Space

Space mining could cost less than building a gas plant on Earth

November 18, 2015

According to research presented to a forum of company executives and NASA scientists, getting a mine up and running on the moon or an asteroid would cost less than building the biggest gas terminals on Earth.

Continue reading… “Space mining could cost less than building a gas plant on Earth”

Alternative Transportation, Analysis, NASA, Science & Technology News, Space

Motherships are making a comeback for air launching rockets into space

October 13, 2015

We usually think of rockets that are headed to space are being launched from the ground. But, as demand for satellite launch services rapidly increases year-over-year, interest in air launching rockets is returning to a growing market of lighter-weight payloads. And those might want a mothership.

Continue reading… “Motherships are making a comeback for air launching rockets into space”

3D Printer, Analysis, Future, NASA, Science & Technology News, Space

Homesteading in space

October 8, 2015

People rarely bring their houses with them when they move from one city to another — they just rent, buy or build a new one. Astronauts don’t have the luxury of a realtor on other planets, or even a hardware store in space.

Continue reading… “Homesteading in space”

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”

Future, Science & Technology News, Space

Thoth Technology’s inflatable space elevator gets a lift

August 7, 2015

Over the past 50 years, getting to space hasn’t become any easier technically speaking. It still requires using huge rockets to create a massive enough amount of force to push a payload beyond the grip of Earth’s gravity.

Continue reading… “Thoth Technology’s inflatable space elevator gets a lift”

Big Problems, NASA, Science & Technology News, Space

The growing problem of space junk

August 7, 2015

Forty-five years ago, Ernst Stuhlinger, the associate director of science at Nasa’s Marshall Space Flight Center, an original member of Wernher von Braun’s Operation Paperclip team, was asked by Sister Mary Jucunda, a Zambia-based nun, how he could suggest spending billions of dollars on spaceflight when many children were starving on Earth.

Continue reading… “The growing problem of space junk”

3D Printer, Science & Technology News

Students 3D-printed rocket engine

July 10, 2015

Famed futurist Dr. Robert Forward once said that he expected we would grow rockets one day, just like we grow plants. Continue reading… “Students 3D-printed rocket engine”

Drone, drones, NASA, Science & Technology News, Space

NASA’s prototype drone aircraft destined for Mars

July 6, 2015

This may be the first aircraft to fly the Martian skies. NASA revealed that they are building a Prandtl-m (Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Land on Mars) prototype for a glider drone that would launch from a descending rover and survey landing sites for the eventual manned mission. Continue reading… “NASA’s prototype drone aircraft destined for Mars”