Someone Is Researching Spacecraft Propelled by the Momentum of Radioactive Isotope Decay
19 Feb 2024, 15:53 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / An idea awarded by NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program with Phase 1 backing this year targets an isotope-powered spacecraft
This Most Extreme VTOL Is Not Meant to Fly Over Earth
8 Feb 2024, 13:58 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / American space agency NASA is backing a project that aims to create an extreme vertical take-off and landing aircraft for the study of Mars
This Is How We Can Use Water Mining Operations on Mars to Find Life Up There
22 Jan 2024, 13:51 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / One of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program awards for this year calls for reasearch on life on Mars to be done during mining operations
Tiny Interstellar Probes From Earth Could Swarm All Over the Galaxy Sooner Than You Think
17 Jan 2024, 11:03 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / The Coherent Picospacecraft Swarms Over Interstellar Distances idea received a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts award at the beginning of this year
New Cryo Fuel Storage Tank Could Be Humanity's First Space Gas Station En Route to Mars
9 Jan 2024, 13:15 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / One of this year's NIAC Phase 1 projects talks about a new cooling method for a cryogenic fuel tank that can be placed in orbit
Someone Is Finally Looking Into Hibernation in Space
5 Jan 2024, 13:09 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / NASA announced it is endorsing an idea meant to research hibernation in microgravity, the Studying Torpor in Animals for Space-health in Humans project
How a Game-Changing Piece of Space Tech Was Inspired by Chocolate Pudding and Plastic Wrap
11 Nov 2023, 00:20 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / The Large Balloon Reflector is an innovative way of designing a space antenna that can also double as an effective telescope
Solar Thermal Propulsion and a Gravity Well Dive Could Take a Spaceship Outside Sol
13 Jun 2023, 12:47 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A researcher from the Los Alamos National Lab has an idea to use a "combined heat shield and solar thermal propulsion system for an Oberth maneuver"
High Expansion Ratio Structures Could Be the Secret to Artificial Gravity in Space
12 Jun 2023, 14:08 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program study called HERDS envisions an easier way of building massive structures in space
New Solar Sail Could Spill Some of the Sun’s Secret Right Into Our Laps
1 Apr 2023, 09:08 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A new approach in solar sail design may allow for a survey of the Sun's poles, NASA is backing the project through the NIAC program
Inflatable Spaceship With Morphing Wings Is Perfect for Hunting Venus Sprites
20 Mar 2023, 10:58 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A NIAC award recipient from last is, the Bioinspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration tech is likely to forever change planetary exploration
Fission Fragment Rocket Engine Concept Puts Planets 100 Light Years Away Within Reach
21 Feb 2023, 11:43 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Aerogel core fission fragment rocket engine concept was awarded a NIAC grant by NASA, spacecraft using it could be significantly more efficient than today
New Power Source for Spaceships Could Make CubeSats a Common Sight in the Solar System
20 Feb 2023, 13:16 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A NIAC 2023 recognized idea talks of a new power source for small spacecraft that could help launch more complex missions to the outer planets
Earth-Like Planet Hunter Telescope Could Put James Webb Out of Business
16 Feb 2023, 12:34 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / The Diffractive Interfeo Coronagraph Exoplanet Resolver is a telescope concept that could be used to find Earth-like planets at 30 light years away
Nuclear-Powered Flashlight to Make Moon Water Detection a Breeze
8 Feb 2023, 13:55 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / An X- and gamma ray powered by a new power technology called EmberCore could be used to detect precious substances on and under the surface of the Moon
Titan-Bound Flying Boat Will Feed on Alien Liquids Through Its Wings
7 Feb 2023, 13:01 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / One of the 14 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) grants of this year went to an idea of an amphibious airplane meant to collect liquids on Titan
GO-LoW Thousands-Strong Satellite Constellation May Unlock Secrets of Alien Exoplanets
30 Jan 2023, 11:59 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / An MIT scientist comes up with an idea for a satellite constellation that could be used to look for low-frequency signals and detect electromagnetic radiation
Self-Growing Blocks for Human Martian Habitats Need Only Bacteria and Fungi to Work
24 Jan 2023, 12:20 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Researcher with the University of Nebraska comes up with an idea to use cyanobacteria and fungi to create the building blocks of structure for alien worlds
Mars Is Just 45 Days Away From Earth With Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Engine Concept
23 Jan 2023, 11:30 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase 1 grant went to the idea of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine that cuts trips to Mars to 45 days
Pellet-Beam Propulsion Concept Could Push Spacecraft Faster and Further Than Ever Before
20 Jan 2023, 13:30 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A scientist from the University of California is working on a pellet-beam propulsion concept for spacecraft that could significantly increase speed