28 July 2021
Japan successfully tests rocket engine propelled by shock waves
... use in about five years, would be able to operate for extended periods of time for use on deep-space exploration missions.
June 2015
Lunar Mission One: crowdfunding endeavour and drilling on the Moon
... by the extent of that engagement. Like others, I see Government continuing to lead the more risky but pioneering exploration missions. Industry follows when the business cases mature. Going from one to the other will inevitably involve...
March 2016
The Use of 3D Printing for Space Applications
... has just launched its own plastic printer prototype as a technology demonstration for long term manned exploration missions. As on the ISS, manned missions could carry 3D printers to ensure full self-reliance as they fly for months or years from...
June 2017
Automated or human-operated systems?
... and imagination. System reliability is essential to the success of a mission but the external environment is a source of continuous discovery and surprises – otherwise why would we call it ‘exploration? – and to cope with this the system requires...
July 2018
The rise of interplanetary CubeSats
... less than 50 m/s delta-v to perform minor course corrections as it is dropped off on a flyby trajectory to Mars. Science and exploration missions are possible with flybys, as in the recent Deep Horizons flyby of Pluto. However, in the inner solar...
May 2019
Cold comfort for astronauts
... volume-space. This design philosophy is also driven by resource limitations and sustainability. Today’s human exploration missions primarily revolve around the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS was designed as an international laboratory...
