Tag Archives: NASA

Asteroids!

This post is written by guest blogger Jake Kaplow, an “engineer in training” at Boston University. That crush you’ve had since eighth grade? It’s time to say how you feel. An asteroid the size of Manhattan’s headed straight toward Earth. … Continue reading

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The Odds of Successfully Mining Asteroids

The Hoth asteroid field, which Han Solo improbably and awesomely navigates, is chock full of asteroids that contain valuable minerals and materials, including platinum. While I doubt there are any exogorths (space slugs) or mynocks (the winged parasites that live … Continue reading

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Double Take: NASA’s Twin Study

In the sci-fi novel Time for the Stars, Robert Heinlein explores something called the “twin paradox,” an Einstein-inspired thought experiment involving the splitting up of identical twins. One rockets off into space while the other remains on Earth. Even though … Continue reading

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Wag the Dog, Sci-Fi Style

I recently read that 20% of Americans don’t believe we really landed on the moon in 1969. Apparently, the conspiracy theory has gained steam over time—why haven’t we returned since the Apollo missions? How can that American flag wave in … Continue reading

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Space For All

In 1945, science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke published a paper suggesting that we put satellites in geostationary orbit. 18 years later, America launched Syncom 2. Soon, there will be one more satellite in the Clarke Belt, roughly 26,000 miles … Continue reading

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(And I Feel Fine)

Mayan hieroglyphics aren’t science fiction–though one could argue that as a basis of myths and legends, hieroglyphics are proto-proto-science fiction–but some people and some genres of literature, including sci-fi (remember that film 2012? Neither do I.), have embraced them in … Continue reading

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Not Over the Moon

In 1902, Georges Melies wrote and produced the first science fiction film, Le Voyage dans la Lune (The Voyage to the Moon). This 14-minute silent film inspired by the stories of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells involves a group of … Continue reading

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Make Your Next Car a Beamer

Ever taken a much-needed break and found yourself thinking that a beer would be the perfect thing–if only you didn’t have to get up and get it? There might be a solution…in space. We may not be ready to beam … Continue reading

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In Event of Cosmic Radiation, Please Take the Stairs

Even though the privatization of space flight might make it possible for (extremely rich) people to realize their dreams of travelling to space, I’m waiting for the day when I can step into an elevator and push the button for … Continue reading

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