In addition to the bazillionty things I said I would do this week, I need to get my astrobiology students to pick their final project topics: they have to evaluate a work of scifi on the plausibility of its aliens using what they learned from my astrobiology course.
I've asked here before, but I'll ask again: what are some scifi works that have really great aliens and/or alien worlds?
Ground-based gravitational wave observatories like LIGO and Virgo have revolutionized our understanding of merging black holes and neutron stars, but there's a limit to their sensitivity. The detectors will need to go to space to find mergers between even more massive black holes. This week, ESA gave the official go-ahead to build the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. A contractor will be chosen in 2025, and it's expected to launch in 2035.
The science and engineering for LISA is absolutely astounding. Check out these great lectures by the two incredible scientists most responsible for LIGO and the first detection of gravitational waves:
Engineers have been studying the possibility of space-based solar power for decades, and it's always mostly science fiction because of the high launch costs and challenges in transmitting power to Earth. But another idea is to use space-based reflectors that target solar energy collectors on Earth as they fly over. These would extend the useful operating time of the solar plants without needing to convert and beam the power to Earth.
@fraser Interesting idea, but just imagine the impact on astronomy. Maybe missing something here, but if passive Starlink satellites are a problem, just think what havoc a bunch of massive orbiting spotlights would cause.
"This new era of #moon missions has some scientists rattled. Future landers aim to drill for ice and other materials, potentially iron and rare earths, which are of interest to mining firms. And this is where the conflict lies." (via @guardian)
Just as we charged into LEO without thinking it all out, it seems we are now rushing to the moon in a 21 century version of an unconstrained land grab.
⭐️ Battle Star Galactica
⭐️ The Expanse
⭐️ Star Trek: The Next Generation
⭐️ Raised by Wolves
⭐️ Foundation
⭐️ Star Wars: The Mandalorian
⭐️ Star Wars: Andor
⭐️ Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi
⭐️ Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett
Now onboard:
⭐️ Star Trek: Deep Space 9
⭐️ For all Mankind
SpaceX starship lifts off.
Hot-stage separation.
First stage explodes.
2nd stage self-destructs.
Praises galore.
Artemis astronauts will have to a wait a bit longer.
Don't pack your bags for Mars yet. #starship#spacex
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Interesting speculation. Wonder if it was intended to go into orbit or was just going to be ballistic all the way to Hawaii? Did they intend a deorbit burn? What was the intended max altitude?