Jan 12, 2016 08:40 PM
Pouring a foundation on Mars
http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/640380/...tory01.htm
EXCERPT: If humans were to attempt to colonize Mars, transporting construction materials would be difficult and expensive. Researchers at Northwestern University have proposed an alternative, a kind of concrete that can be made with materials from Mars itself: sulfur and Martian soil....
Our Grand Romance With Space Has Returned
http://nautil.us/issue/32/space/2015-was...r-in-space
EXCERPT: With 2015 now behind us, what truly stands out? Other than (alas) holding the record for hottest year in recorded history? Amid a confusion of good, bad, and disturbing news, what I find noteworthy is that 2015 was by far humanity’s best year in space—exploring the universe around us. How can that be? Even if you happen to be one of those out there who do care about us boldly going, it would seem that our glory days lie far behind us, back in the era of Apollo moon landings. Today’s kids seem mostly to yawn when we turn to the NASA channel or talk about colonizing Mars. The United States spends 0.5 percent of an annual $3.8 trillion federal budget on space endeavors (compared to the Apollo era’s 5 percent). Most of our fellow citizens guess the figure to be much higher, and many think we spend too much....
http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/640380/...tory01.htm
EXCERPT: If humans were to attempt to colonize Mars, transporting construction materials would be difficult and expensive. Researchers at Northwestern University have proposed an alternative, a kind of concrete that can be made with materials from Mars itself: sulfur and Martian soil....
Our Grand Romance With Space Has Returned
http://nautil.us/issue/32/space/2015-was...r-in-space
EXCERPT: With 2015 now behind us, what truly stands out? Other than (alas) holding the record for hottest year in recorded history? Amid a confusion of good, bad, and disturbing news, what I find noteworthy is that 2015 was by far humanity’s best year in space—exploring the universe around us. How can that be? Even if you happen to be one of those out there who do care about us boldly going, it would seem that our glory days lie far behind us, back in the era of Apollo moon landings. Today’s kids seem mostly to yawn when we turn to the NASA channel or talk about colonizing Mars. The United States spends 0.5 percent of an annual $3.8 trillion federal budget on space endeavors (compared to the Apollo era’s 5 percent). Most of our fellow citizens guess the figure to be much higher, and many think we spend too much....