Synthetic biology offers a toolkit to engineer microbes capable of surviving in outer space and for biomanufacturing materials to support astronauts on long missions.
Category: space travel
The crew of Artemis II will fly on Integrity during mission to the Moon
The first astronauts set to fly to the Moon in more than 50 years will do so in Integrity.
NASA’s Artemis II crew revealed Integrity as the name of their Orion spacecraft during a news conference on Wednesday at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“We thought, as a crew, we need to name this spacecraft. We need to have a name for the Orion spacecraft that we’re going to ride this magical mission on,” said Reid Wiseman, commander of the Artemis II mission.
Blue Alchemist Promises Rocket Fuel From Moon Dust
Usually when an alchemist shows up promising to turn rocks into gold, you should run the other way. Sure, rocket fuel isn’t gold, but on the moon it’s worth more than its weight in the yellow stuff. So there would be reason to be skeptical if this “Blue Alchemist” was actually an alchemist, and not a chemical reactor under development by the Blue Origin corporation.
The chemistry in question is quite simple, really: take moon dust, which is rich in aluminum silicate minerals, and melt the stuff. Then it’s just a matter of electrolysis to split the elements, collecting the gaseous oxygen for use in your rockets. So: moon dust to air and metals, just add power. Lots and lots of power.
Melting rock takes a lot of temperature, and the molten rock doesn’t electrolyse quite as easily as the water we’re more familiar with splitting. Still, it’s very doable; this is how aluminum is produced on Earth, though notably not from the sorts of minerals you find in moon dust. Given the image accompanying the press release, perhaps on the moon the old expression will be modified to “make oxygen while the sun shines”
Quantum Space Acquires Phase Four’s Propulsion Tech
Alabama spacecraft manufacturer Quantum Space is already putting its $40M Series A extension round to work, announcing the acquisition of Phase Four’s multi-modal propulsion tech on Monday for an undisclosed amount.
Quantum has also taken over ownership of Phase Four’s integration and test facility in Hawthorne, CA, which can churn out up to 100 engines per year.
Paying in gold: The deal opens the door for Quantum to integrate Phase Four’s unique propulsion capabilities to fuel Quantum’s Golden Dome ambitions. Phase Four’s multi-modal propulsion system uses chemical and electric propulsion to perform high thrust or high efficiency maneuvers, depending on the mission.
Are Cybernetic Organisms The Key To Exploring Space?! | NASA’s Unexplained Files
As NASA seeks to expand its exploration of the solar system, the concept of developing cybernetic organisms consists of a part human and part robot design. This idea holds the potential to enhance space exploration by overcoming various limitations.
From season 4 episode 8.
#nasasunexplainedfiles.
#DiscoveryTurbo
Chemists Create Next-Gen Rocket Fuel Compound That Packs 150% More Energy
Chemists at the University at Albany have developed a high-energy compound that could transform rocket fuel and make space travel more efficient. When ignited, this compound produces significantly more energy per unit of weight and volume than current propellants.
For rockets, this means that less fuel would be needed to achieve the same mission duration or payload capacity, leaving more space for essential equipment and supplies. The research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
“In rocket ships, space is at a premium,” said Assistant Professor of Chemistry Michael Yeung, whose lab led the work. “Every inch must be packed efficiently, and everything onboard needs to be as light as possible. Creating more efficient fuel using our new compound would mean less space is needed for fuel storage, freeing up room for equipment, including instruments used for research. On the return voyage, this could mean more space is available to bring samples home.”
ASI Risks: Similar premises, opposite conclusions | Eliezer Yudkowsky vs Mark Miller
A debate/discussion on ASI (artificial superintelligence) between Foresight Senior Fellow Mark S. Miller and MIRI founder Eliezer Yudkowsky. Sharing similar long-term goals, they nevertheless reach opposite conclusions on best strategy.
“What are the best strategies for addressing risks from artificial superintelligence? In this 4-hour conversation, Eliezer Yudkowsky and Mark Miller discuss their cruxes for disagreement. While Eliezer advocates an international treaty that bans anyone from building it, Mark argues that such a pause would make an ASI singleton more likely – which he sees as the greatest danger.”
What are the best strategies for addressing extreme risks from artificial superintelligence? In this 4-hour conversation, decision theorist Eliezer Yudkowsky and computer scientist Mark Miller discuss their cruxes for disagreement.
They examine the future of AI, existential risk, and whether alignment is even possible. Topics include AI risk scenarios, coalition dynamics, secure systems like seL4, hardware exploits like Rowhammer, molecular engineering with AlphaFold, and historical analogies like nuclear arms control. They explore superintelligence governance, multipolar vs singleton futures, and the philosophical challenges of trust, verification, and control in a post-AGI world.
Moderated by Christine Peterson, the discussion seeks the least risky strategy for reaching a preferred state amid superintelligent AI risks. Yudkowsky warns of catastrophic outcomes if AGI is not controlled, while Miller advocates decentralizing power and preserving human institutions as AI evolves.
STARSHIP STARPORT NETWORK | Can Rocket Cargo Replace Air & Sea?
💹 Starship’s efficiency could potentially make it highly profitable, “making tons of money like a Tesla.”
🚨 Starship IFT-10’s success has reignited bold ideas for a Starship Starport Global Network.
Could Rocket Cargo really replace today’s air and sea freight? 🚀
In this episode of @overthehorizon, Chris Smedley and Scott Walter join me for a deep dive on the Starport Network vision — offshore launch pads, mobile rigs, and eVTOL last-mile links — and ask if suborbital rocket cargo can outcompete aircraft and ships.
We explore 👇🏽
🚀 How Starship’s scale changes global logistics.
🌍 Why rocket cargo could disrupt ports, airlines, and shipping.
⚡ The “rocket time dilation” effect that multiplies daily throughput.
🛳 From oil rigs to Starports: how offshore hubs could reshape trade.
🔮 First use-cases: military logistics, high-value freight, GCC & island tourism.
Starship Starports may be the end of hubs, choke points, and slow supply chains. But can they really replace air and sea?