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Category: space travel – Page 27

Rise in Antimatter Research Could Push Us Closer to The Ultimate Space Engine

Getting places in space quickly has been the goal of propulsion research for a long time.

Rockets, our most common means of doing so, are great for providing lots of force but extraordinarily inefficient. Other options like electric propulsion and solar sailing are efficient but offer measly amounts of force, albeit for a long time.

So scientists have long dreamed of a third method of propulsion – one that could provide enough force over a long enough time to power a crewed mission to another star in a single human lifetime. And that could theoretically happen using one of the rarest substances in the Universe – antimatter.

Edmontonian developing 3D printer that could be ‘manufacturing plant of the moon’

A 21-year-old Edmontonian is developing a 3D printer designed to take soil from the moon and convert it into essential equipment for astronauts.

Madison Feehan, CEO and founder of Space Copy, said she realized that 3D printing could substantially reduce the significant cost and logistic hurdles of sending astronauts back to the moon during her five years as a contract worker for NASA.

Radio Active’s Min Dhariwal spoke with Feehan this week to learn more about her research.

Gambling in Space: The Future of Entertainment Beyond Earth

Conquering space is among the main challenges humanity now has — and the huge number of discoveries made in recent decades suggests that nothing is impossible. Tourism beyond Earth is already gaining popularity, and this sector will evolve soon. However, simply enjoying the space views may become boring shortly, and travellers will search for alternative entertainment options. It’s now pretty early to ask whether people will be able to build a land-based casino on the Moon, but some experiences may become available in the near future. The iGaming sector is rapidly evolving, leaving offline settings behind. We can predict that space gambling will begin from top-rated slot games not on GamStop, which are widely accessible globally. Casino platforms have a vast growth potential nowadays, so what would prevent people from using them when enjoying space tourism?

The first bet beyond the Earth has already been placed — this significant event happened in 2021 when Jared Isaacman, the Inspiration 4x commander, wagered on the NFL. Although it may take a while for such betting experiences to become more widespread, the beginning has already been made.

Gravitic Spaceship Propulsion

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Credits:
Gravitic Spaceship Propulsion.
Episode 477a; December 15, 2024
Produced, Narrated \& Written: Isaac Arthur.
Graphics: Jeremy Jozwik, Sergio Botero.
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images.
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator.
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How to Design an FTL Drive

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Spacedock delves into the process of designing an FTL drive for your fictional setting. Find the full unedited version of this script by Science Advisor Gabriel Fonseca for free here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/117769969/

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3D printable bioreactor designs to support space nutrition

NASA’s Synthetic Biology Project is collaborating with the GrabCAD community to create innovative 3D-printable bioreactor designs. These bioreactors aim to reduce the mass and volume of supplies needed for extended space missions by enabling in-situ production of essential nutrients through reusable or recyclable solutions.

The project focuses on enhancing BioNutrient Production Packs, which use bio-engineered microorganisms to generate critical nutrients like beta carotene. Crews activate these microorganisms by adding water and growth media to dormant cultures. The existing bioreactors include early polycarbonate Gen-0 models and lightweight Gen-1 soft packs. Both designs allow gas exchange to prevent over-pressurization while ensuring safe nutrient production.

NASA seeks to address key challenges for long-duration missions, including designing bioreactors that are either reusable or recyclable and can be manufactured aboard spacecraft. The bioreactor must safely handle liquid cultures, support gas exchange, and be compatible with additive manufacturing technologies. Reusability designs must consider sterilization challenges, while recyclable designs should use materials that can be reprocessed into new bioreactors.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX fires up Super Heavy rocket ahead of 7th test flight

While an official launch date has yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that SpaceX is targeting January 11, 2025, for the next flight. This date was mentioned in an email from NASA to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), indicating plans to deploy an observation aircraft for the event.

Starship, which consists of two reusable stages € the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage known as Starship € stands approximately 400 feet tall when fully assembled, making it the largest rocket ever built.