Author: Edgar Zapata

Europe, ESA, the EU, and the space sector – where to next?

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Can Europe catch up after SpaceX and the emergence of a newly vibrant US commercial space sector? How? It’s the mid-1990s, attendees lingering in the expansive lobby as the day’s conference presentations concluded, everyone glad to make new acquaintances and hand out business cards (remember those?) Among the introductions and salutations, there is a representative … Continue reading Europe, ESA, the EU, and the space sector – where to next?

Flashback Friday – Dreams of a Space Shuttle 1977

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With the first Shuttle launch around the corner, well, about four years away, in 1977, NASA described its soon-to-be capabilities in its “NASA Facts” series. “It takes off like a rocket, maneuvers in Earth orbit like a spacecraft, and lands like an airplane.” The “space telescope” – describing the far away yet-to-be-named Hubble telescope, including … Continue reading Flashback Friday – Dreams of a Space Shuttle 1977

Voyager – Earth’s blog, a playlist, and an invitation

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Recently, NASA lost contact with the Voyager probe, a mistaken command signaling its antenna to turn away from Earth, and what tiny tickle of a communication connection remains. This was cause for concern, naturally, though in the grand scheme of things, after a long and productive career, Voyager already did everything it set out to … Continue reading Voyager – Earth’s blog, a playlist, and an invitation

“Rescue Party,” a short story about NASA and SpaceX – written in 1946

~ Edgar Zapata ~ 2 Comments

“Rescue Party” is a short story by Arthur C. Clarke written in 1946, but it is also the first time I read, at age eleven, about NASA and SpaceX (or “new space,” generally.) That seems impossible, and off by about four decades, but it’s true. Metaphorically speaking. The story is about time, the different speeds … Continue reading “Rescue Party,” a short story about NASA and SpaceX – written in 1946

A book review – “There is No Antimemetics Division,” by qntm (Sam Hughes)

~ Edgar Zapata ~ 4 Comments

I might go a few years, unfortunately, between reading a book I am strongly compelled to think and talk about. Think of that song that takes up residence for a week spinning in your head, like it or not. Only here the rent-free visit is a pleasure. The drought breaker this time is “There is … Continue reading A book review – “There is No Antimemetics Division,” by qntm (Sam Hughes)

A NASA IG report, a story, and a question from the audience

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Recently, the NASA Inspector General published another one of their periodic reports on the NASA projects that form NASA’s effort to put people on the Moon. These IG reports are always insightful, if difficult reading. More than any other NASA organization, IG auditors have access to people and information in vast, complex NASA projects - … Continue reading A NASA IG report, a story, and a question from the audience

NASA, Moon to Mars, and the predictably likely and unlikely

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No one was buying it. It’s the moment after NASA’s Constellation Moon program awaited someone saying the time of death, but before the same offices circled the wagons to defend something, anything, preserving parts of the soon-to-end Shuttle program. One of our first points noted our work was officially sanctioned. Not that the Secretary wouldn’t … Continue reading NASA, Moon to Mars, and the predictably likely and unlikely

A review: “NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development”

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“Unfortunately, I’m too overextended right now to be useful.” This worked, while not being a lie, getting me out of assisting on the year’s strategic planning document. Or, as the case was – a strategy slash roadmap slash implementation slash plan slash something about technology and what NASA will do to get where it wants … Continue reading A review: “NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development”