Category Archives: Lunar exploration

Ashes and Water

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Lots of media coverage this week on newly analyzed spectra showing elevated amounts of water in lunar dark mantling (pyroclastic) ash deposits.  I discuss the new finding and what it might mean in a new post over at Air & … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science | 13 Comments

Apollo: The Glory and the Curse

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Paul Spudis

As we approach the anniversary of the first landing on the Moon (48 years on July 20), it is traditional for space opinion writers to wistfully look back on that lost “Golden Age” when humans ventured beyond low Earth orbit … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 24 Comments

Student Aspirations, Public Excitement and the Purpose of a Space Program

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I recently had the opportunity to speak to a couple of groups of university students on the space program and the value of the Moon and received some interesting reactions, which I write about at my latest for Air & … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 31 Comments

Farewell to a wise and thoughtful commentator on space

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Paul Spudis

My good friend Bill Mellberg passed away this week.  I remember him in a post at Air & Space magazine.  Comment here if desired.

Posted in Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 4 Comments

A National Space Council: To Be or Not To Be?

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Paul Spudis

News reports indicate that some version of a national space council (with Vice-President Mike Pence as chair) might be established. For some, the idea of a White House-level committee designed to monitor the nation’s space program may seem like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy | 16 Comments

The Space “Field of Dreams”

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Over at Air & Space, some musings on the space program (real and faux) as inspiration.  Comment here, if so inclined.

Posted in Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space policy, Space transportation | 34 Comments

A Commercial Human Flight to the Moon?

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Early this week, SpaceX held a conference call to announce that two private individuals have paid their firm a “significant deposit” to be flown around the Moon next year. Although details are sketchy to nonexistent, it would appear that the … Continue reading →

Posted in China space program, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 31 Comments

The Endless Moon vs. Mars debate

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Paul Spudis

After reading an apparently endless number of “Mars is the next step” op-eds in two weeks, I had to vent.  New post at Air & Space is up on why the Moon should be the next destination for the American … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, Space transportation | 19 Comments

Momentum for the Moon

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Engineer and stalwart lunar advocate Dennis Wingo has written a new piece on his blog titled “Getting ‘Going Back to the Moon’ Right this Time.”   Dennis and I, and many others, have traveled and struggled down this road together – … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 25 Comments

Restoring America’s Space Program: An Ambitious But Achievable Path

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Last month’s national election results have confounded this year’s annual crop of retrospective pieces on space. Instead of a guarantee of business as usual, America has elected a President that defies normal political calculation. Hanging in the balance are questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 39 Comments