Category Archives: space industry

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

Cislunar Space — Looking into the Future

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I recently attended a one-day workshop held at United Launch Alliance on the topic of cislunar space development.  I’ve written up some impressions of the meeting at Air & Space.  Comment here, if desired.

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

Thoughts on National Geographic’s Mars mini-series

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Well, this thing has set back the cause of space advocacy another 50 years. We have now been subjected to six, 45-minute episodes of this dreary exercise in clueless propaganda. I expressed my initial reactions to the first episode previously … Continue reading →

Posted in planetary exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 16 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

Book Review Roundup

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Paul Spudis

It’s now been five months since my book The Value of the Moon was published and I am happy to report that it has been well received.  Let us hope that more people see the value of lunar return and … Continue reading →

Posted in China space program, Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 26 Comments

Lowering the Cost of Human Spaceflight

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Three approaches, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  My new post up at Air&Space, for your consideration.  Comment here, if desired.

Posted in Lunar development, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation, Uncategorized | 45 Comments

Virtues of the 90-Day Study

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Broach the topic of the “90-Day Study” with almost any random person involved with space for more than 25 years and you’re likely to provoke a reaction akin to showing Dracula a crucifix. This document is now offered as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, planetary exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 32 Comments

The Moon is Again Within Reach – Let’s Grab (and Hold On To) It

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the trailblazing robotic space mission to the Moon – Surveyor 1. With prophetic timing, a recent political development (along with various and sundry news reports and another anniversary) indicates a renewed interest in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 18 Comments

The Space Launch System “Jobs Program”

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Paul Spudis

An endlessly repeated media trope is that NASA’s new launch vehicle program, the Space Launch System (SLS), is some kind of entitlement boondoggle, a gigantic “make-work” project for the agency – a derision summed up through the use of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 97 Comments

Lunar Resources: Beyond the Fringe

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Paul Spudis

A new, somewhat philosophical post up at Air & Space on the recent Royal Astronomical Society meeting in London on using space resources.  By the way, that great, appropriate title (alluding to the British comedy group) was a suggestion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, planetary exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 13 Comments