Reading up on space-exploration
19 deep · digging since dec 19, 25
- SpaceX & the Sentient Sun
SpaceX's strategy to build a Mars city, lunar factories, and orbital AI data centers is driven by Iain M. Banks' Culture utopia, with Falcon 9 and Starlink funding the stack.
- Blue Origin’s Failure May Hamstring NASA’s Moon Plans - The New York Times
New Glenn rocket failure threatens Blue Origin's ability to deliver a lunar lander for NASA's Artemis mission, scheduled for 2027.
- Artemis II safely splashes down
Artemis II safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026, returning four astronauts from a lunar flyby mission.
- Artemis II crew splashes down near San Diego after historic moon mission
The Artemis II crew splashed down off San Diego after a 10-day lunar flyby, marking the first crewed moon mission since Apollo.
- Artemis II Crew Discusses NASA Moon Mission and Next Steps - The New York Times
The four Artemis II astronauts held a news conference at Johnson Space Center on Thursday to discuss their upcoming mission around the moon and return to Earth.
- Artemis II Was a Blockbuster. Landing on the Moon Will Be a Lot Harder. - WSJ
NASA faces significant challenges in preparing rockets, spacecraft, and suits to land astronauts on the moon by 2028, following the Artemis II flyby mission.
- Another Giant Leap Reminds Us How Small We Are - The New York Times
The New York Times reports that a recent space mission carrying four astronauts farther than any human has ever traveled has left people feeling awestruck and introspective about humanity's place in the cosmos.
- Artemis II's toilet is a moon mission milestone
NASA's Artemis II mission introduces an improved space toilet with a door and enhanced dual-waste handling, marking a practical milestone for lunar travel.
- Lunar Flyby | Hacker News
Artemis II astronauts captured stunning flyby images of the Moon's far side and an in-space solar eclipse, released April 2026.
- “It Was Survival Mode”: The Lunar Mission That Nearly Ended in Disaster - The New York Times
Flight directors share memories of the Apollo 13 mission, detailing the tense survival effort after an explosion that nearly ended in disaster.
- See Photos From All 10 Days of NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission - The New York Times
NASA's Artemis II astronauts completed a 10-day lunar flyby mission, marking a significant milestone in returning humans to the moon.
- Artemis II Splashdown Gives NASA Momentum in Renewed Moon Race - The New York Times
The successful Artemis II splashdown positions NASA for a leading role in the renewed global race to return humans to the Moon.
- NASA Conducts Successful Launchpad Test of the Massive Artemis Rocket - The New York Times
NASA successfully test-fired the Space Launch System rocket's core stage, moving the Artemis II mission with four astronauts closer to a launch as early as March.
- Decoding China’s New Space Philosophy - Universe Today
China's fifteenth five-year plan details ambitious space goals including water-ice mining, orbital data centers, tourism, and a push to shape international space traffic regulations.
- How to View the Artemis II Moon Launch - The New York Times
The first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, Artemis II, launches soon; the article lists public viewing locations near Kennedy Space Center.
- Claude on Mars
Anthropic's Claude was used by NASA's JPL to autonomously plan Perseverance's 400-meter traverse on Mars, cutting route-planning time in half.
- The Engineer who invented the Mars Rover Suspension in his garage [video]
A video documentary details how engineer Don Bickler invented the Mars rover's rocker-bogie suspension in his garage, enabling robust off-road mobility on other planets.
- Artemis II Moon Mission: NASA Completes Giant Rocket’s Slow Ride to Launchpad - The New York Times
NASA moved the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule to the launchpad for the Artemis II crewed moon mission, targeting a Feb. 6 launch.
- Trump commits to Moon landing by 2028, followed by a lunar outpost two years later - Ars Technica
A Trump executive order commits NASA to landing humans on the Moon by 2028 and building a lunar outpost by 2030, while deprioritizing Mars and deep-space science.