Space Exploration Technologies
The State of Suborbital Space Science
Think there's nothing to learn through suborbital flight and that space science is only done in orbit? Think again. Recently,…
Exploring Lava Tubes on Other Worlds Will Need Rovers That Can Work Together
Planetary exploration, specifically within our own Solar System, has provided a lifetime of scientific knowledge about the many worlds beyond…
Exploring the Outer Solar System Takes Power, Here’s a Way to Miniaturize Nuclear Batteries for Deep Space
As science and technology advance, we're asking our space missions to deliver more and more results. NASA's MSL Curiosity and…
Want to Colonize Space? Unleash the Power of Microbes
If space colonization is in our future, we'll have to use the resources available there. But we won't be able…
If We’re Going to Get Under the Ice on Europa, How Will We Send a Signal Back to the Surface?
If we send some type of nuclear-powered tunnelbot to Europa to seek life under its icy shield, how will we…
Robots Might Jump Around to Explore the Moon
LEAP (Legged Exploration of the Aristarchus Plateau) is a mission concept study, funded by ESA, to explore challenging lunar terrains…
What is ISRU, and How Will it Help Human Space Exploration?
As Artemis 1 prepares for its maiden launch with the goal of putting astronauts back on the Moon’s surface within…
We’ll be Building Self-Replicating Probes to Explore the Milky Way Sooner Than you Think. Why Haven’t ETIs?
The future can arrive in sudden bursts. What seems a long way off can suddenly jump into view, especially when…
Two Spacecraft Could Work Together to Capture an Asteroid and Bring it Close to Earth for Mining
Humanity seems destined to expand into the Solar System. What exactly that looks like, and how difficult and tumultuous the…
A new Kind of Solar Sail Could let us Explore Difficult Places to Reach in the Solar System
Solar sailing technology has been a dream of many for decades. The simple elegance of sailing on the light waves…