A new generation of spaceplanes is taking advantage of the latest in technology

Spaceplanes seemed out of favour when the shuttle was retired in 2011; they now seem to be making a comeback.

James Campbell, Reader, Brunel University London • conversation
Feb. 8, 2024 • ~9 min

Artemis launch delay is the latest of many NASA scrubs and comes from hard lessons on crew safety

After its fourth delay, the Artemis 1 launch is now scheduled for Nov. 16, 2022. NASA has a history of missing launch deadlines, but the private sector is slowly making launches more reliable.

Michael Dodge, Associate Professor of Space Studies, University of North Dakota • conversation
Nov. 14, 2022 • ~8 min

SpaceX reaches for milestone in spaceflight – a private company launches astronauts into orbit

SpaceX's launch of astronauts to the International Space Station will make it the first private company to launch humans to space. The effort has ramifications for NASA and spaceflight in general.

Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies • conversation
May 22, 2020 • ~7 min

To safely explore the solar system and beyond, spaceships need to go faster – nuclear-powered rockets may be the answer

An update of 50-year-old regulations has kickstarted research into the next generation of rockets. Powered by nuclear fission, these new systems could be the key to faster, safer exploration of space.

Iain Boyd, Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
May 20, 2020 • ~10 min

7 lessons from 'Hidden Figures' NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson's life and career

NASA scientist Katherine Johnson was instrumental in getting people to the moon. Here are some of the lessons one mathematics professor believes she taught us all.

Della Dumbaugh, Professor of Mathematics, University of Richmond • conversation
Feb. 26, 2020 • ~7 min

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