Space – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Feb 9
2016

Researchers Just Discovered Hundreds of Galaxies Hidden Behind the Milky Way

The Xeelee had to build their damned ring SOMEWHERE…

The “Xeelee Sequence” novels. by Stephen Baxter, are some of the best hard science fiction ever written. If you haven’t read them, do so. Immediately. In the meantime (even if you’ve already read the entire Xeelee series) check out this atmospheric musical composition by Oliver Lugg, inspired by the above mentioned science fiction series. It’s quite beautiful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiYxHpGmPwQ

Astronomers just uncovered hundreds of hidden galaxies a mere 250 million light years away from Earth—well within our own galactic neighborhood. But how did they stay unknown for so long? The fault isn’t with them, it’s with our own Milky Way.

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research just completed a survey, published today in the Astronomical Journal, detailing the hundreds of newly discovered galaxies—as well as giving a much better idea of where some older suspected galaxies were hiding. Altogether, they mapped 883 galaxies lurking behind the Milky Way; you can see an artist’s representation above.

Scientists had some idea that there was something out there — but they didn’t know what. Some of the brightest clusters of galaxies were already visible, an even better clue, though, was a strange gravitational force pulling the Milky Way towards it.

Feb 8
2016

Elon Musk explains how a Hyperloop would work on Mars

It’s easier than on earth!

Feb 8
2016

Here’s What NASA Thinks Our Martian Homes Will Look Like

The Red Planet is a hostile, barren world. So if we’re going to live there, we’re going to need to develop a new kind of home.

Feb 8
2016

The director of Star Wars: Episode IX wants to shoot scenes in outer space

During a panel talk about the ins-and-outs of filmmaking at the Sundance Film Festival, director Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World), who will be directing Star Wars: Episode IX, teased an idea he’s working on for his Star Wars movie: shooting in space.

“I asked the question, ‘Is it possible for us to shoot IMAX film plates in actual space for Star Wars, and I haven’t gotten an answer yet,” said Trevorrow during the panel.

Trevorrow made the comments while on a panel that included Christopher Nolan and cinematographer Rachel Morrison (Fruitvale Station).

Feb 6
2016

How interesting!

Feb 5
2016

This new soft robotic gripper can gently pick up objects of practically any shape

Robots aren’t exactly known for their delicate touch, but soon, the stereotype of the non-gentle machine may change. Scientists say they have managed to develop a robot with “a new soft gripper” that makes use of a phenomenon known as electroadhesion — which is essentially the next best thing to giving robots opposable thumbs. According to EPFL scientists, these next-gen grippers can handle fragile objects no matter what their shape — everything from an egg to a water balloon to a piece of paper is fair game.

This latest advance in robotics, funded by NCCR Robotics, may allow machines to take on unprecedented roles. “This is the first time that electroadhesion and soft robotics have been combined together to grasp objects,” said Jun Shintake, a doctoral student at EPFL. Potential applications include handling food, capturing debris (both in space and at home), or even being integrated into prosthetic limbs.

Feb 5
2016

Space and Technology Review: Our Home Among the Stars

At Singularity University, space is one of our Global Grand Challenges (GGCs). The GGCs are defined as billion-person problems. They include, for example, water, food, and energy and serve as targets for the innovation and technologies that can make the world a better place.

You might be thinking: We have enough challenges here on Earth—why include space?

We depend on space for telecommunications, conduct key scientific research there, and hope to someday find answers to existential questions like, “Are we alone in the universe?”. More practically, raw materials are abundant beyond Earth, and human exploration and colonization of the Solar System may be a little like buying a species-wide insurance policy against disaster.

Feb 4
2016

Astronauts and Arugula: Using Space-Station Technology to Grow Food — By Davina van Buren | Modern Farmer / smithsonian.com

“Unlike other vertical farms that use market-ready technology, Romano developed Infinite Harvest’s proprietary building management system from the ground up, using his knowledge of space habitat design.

Feb 4
2016

Luxembourg launches plan to mine asteroids for minerals — By Clive Cookson | Financial Times

“Mining in space will take a leap from the realms of science fiction towards commercial reality on Wednesday when Luxembourg launches an official initiative to promote the mining of asteroids for minerals.”

Feb 4
2016

NIST Develops Novel Technology

A few years ago, my friend and I were brainstorming on some NextGen Technologies to look at for investment purposes. And, he suggested Polymer Coating. And, was he ever right. Google and others are using it for screen imaging on Lens, etc. Love this stuff.

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have combined advanced nanometer-scale gratings and a Space Age-era thin-film polymer, to invent a novel technology. This technology can be used to fabricate routers and switches for optical signals, energy-efficient full-color video displays, and smart windows and coatings.