Orbex rocket prototype makes debut at Scottish Highlands spaceport
While humans are naturally earthbound creatures, we need space travel. Our society, as it is, needs the myriad functions and services our satellites provide, and so far, there’s only one way to get them up there. To that end, space scientists and engineers are constantly innovating ways to make Read More...
The moon could fuel the future of space exploration
Each evening, we are used to seeing our transient moon positioned high in the sky. Humans have been fascinated by the familiar celestial body since the dawn of time, creating gods and useful calendars around its positioning. Since then, scientists have utilized the moon to help uncover secrets of Read More...
Refueling on Mars: making biofuel from astronaut wastewater
As space exploration develops further, scientists and engineers are innovating more outlandish ways for humans to survive beyond our planet. What was once magic becomes science as experts think outside the box and brilliantly repurpose resources in closed environments, such as growing lettuce in Read More...
Discovery of solar system ‘superhighway’ could speed up space travel
For all our space geeks, we have some fascinating news from the cosmos. Scientists have discovered what is being called a Solar System “superhighway” network of routes that could allow spacecraft to travel much faster during future deep space missions. In essence, this could help humanity Read More...
NASA’s 2024 mission will see first woman astronaut on the Moon
NASA is going back to the Moon, but this time around, there will be a woman stepping foot on the lunar surface. Recently, the American space agency formally outlined its $28 billion plan to return to the Moon in 2024, with the mission being called Artemis. The plan involves sending both a man and Read More...
NASA has mapped out a faster and cheaper route to the moon
It took Apollo 11 just over two days to reach the moon in 1969, but for non-manned missions, the voyage can take up to a year. Now, thanks to a new route designed by NASA, there is a faster and cheaper way to reach lunar orbit. Designed by NASA's upcoming Dark Ages Polarimeter Pathfinder Read More...
Mary W. Jackson: NASA renames its HQ after first Black female engineer
In Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 book Hidden Figures, the author celebrates the pioneering work of Mary W. Jackson, the first Black female engineer at NASA. Now, in tribute to the incredible mathematician, NASA has announced it will rename its Washington DC headquarters after Jackson. “We are Read More...
Researchers say they have found a way to make parts of Mars habitable once more
If you’re like most of us here at the Optimist Daily, then you probably think it’s wiser to spend money creating solutions down here on Earth rather than dedicating billions towards attempting to inhabit Mars. But before we can even think about settling on the big red planet, the question is: Read More...
Meet the indispensable female mathematicians that sent us to the moon
On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11, it’s too simple to just celebrate the men who got the chance to step on the moon. The fact of the matter is that without the work of female mathematicians, space travel would have never been possible. Long before NASA was created, groups of female Read More...
Want to go to space? Here’s what you need to know
Most of us would have never imagined traveling to outer space in our lives, but these days, it’s looking ever more possible for the average Joe to go into orbit—or at least, an average Joe with bags of money. This month, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic announced it is going public and is Read More...