Category Archives: planetary exploration

Organizational Whiplash: Why NASA Needs A Change in Direction

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Paul Spudis

We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. – C. S. Lewis … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 57 Comments

Simulating Human Space Missions

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Paul Spudis

I have a new post up at Air & Space discussing the various simulations undertaken to prepare for future human space missions. Comment here if desired.

Posted in Lunar exploration, planetary exploration | 33 Comments

Another Way to Land on the Moon

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Paul Spudis

New post up at Air & Space in which I describe my idea for a robotic mission to the lunar poles that uses multiple hard landing probes to measure water contents.  Comment on the idea here, if so inclined.

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, planetary exploration, space technology, Space transportation | 18 Comments

Blame Game

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Paul Spudis

“I urge you to beware the temptation of pride – the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally to blame.” – President Ronald Reagan, March 8, 1983 Wayne Hale’s speech at the 2015 von … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 50 Comments

The Colorado Plateau – An Impact Feature?

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Paul Spudis

Some geological thoughts while driving across the country.  Could the Colorado Plateau Be an Ancient Impact Scar?  Comments welcome.

Posted in Lunar Science, planetary exploration | 9 Comments

NASA = Mars = Delusional

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Paul Spudis

The release of a hit movie about the adventures of an astronaut marooned on the Red Planet, coupled with the “discovery” of liquid water running on the surface of Mars, has been an intoxicating moment in an otherwise dry spell … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space policy, space technology | 56 Comments

Under the Double Eagle

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Paul Spudis

I have a new post up at Air & Space on an old proposed mission from the SDI days, the Double Eagle Space Experiment.  This mission was to have used active remote sensing to map the Moon’s composition with high … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, planetary exploration, space technology | 24 Comments

More Than Life Itself: Some Heretical Thoughts

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Paul Spudis

In a letter to Space News, current CEO of The Planetary Society, Bill Nye, expounds on his belief that the search for life on Mars is the both the principal rationale and objective of human spaceflight. Many members of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar exploration, Philosophy of science, planetary exploration, space policy | 28 Comments

Lunar Distractions

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Paul Spudis

I have a new post up at Air & Space on recent NASA comments on the possible use of the Moon in a human mission to Mars architecture.  Comment here, if you’d like.

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 14 Comments

Fossils on the Moon?

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Paul Spudis

Perhaps.   I discuss in a new post up at Air & Space magazine.  Comment here if you’d like.

Posted in Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, planetary exploration | 7 Comments