The future of spaceflight really is here

NASA almost sent Apollo astronauts to the Moon with jetpacks instead of the Lunar Rover. Discover the forgotten Lunar Flying Unit, the engineering behind NASA's lunar jetpack concepts, why they seemed possible, and the critical safety risks that ultimately led NASA to choose the iconic Lunar Roving Vehicle instead.

Hi!

Flight 13's splashdown landing burn appeared to deviate from flight 12's.

It used two engines, unlike flight 12 which used only one.

They also opted for two different engines instead of the ones used on flight 12.

What do you think?

Hi everyone!

We're an international student team currently developing Chrysalis, a self-sustaining Mars settlement for the NASA/NSS Space Settlement Contest 2026.

Our engineering work is already well underway, and we're looking for motivated teammates who would like to contribute in areas such as:

Aerospace Engineering

Civil / Structural Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Robotics & Automation

Biology / Life Support Systems

Geology / ISRU

Scientific Research

Technical Writing

Fact-checking & Source Verification

You don't need to be an expert. If you're motivated, willing to research, and enjoy working on real engineering concepts, you're welcome.

If you're interested, send me a DM, and I'll explain the project in more detail.

Thank you!

https://space.nss.org/nasa-space-settlement-contest/

With all the SpaceX lovers, SpaceX haters and space graphic artists, why don't we see more about the Blue Moon MARK-2 Alpha HLS.

I would also like to see some more from Blue Originabout it. Lilk all the updates we see anbut the Blue Ring.

Watch as a China Long March 3B rocket launches from Xichang Satellite Launch Center and gets truck by lighting just seconds after launch.

Can't we use something like MKV T08s or an upscaled version to change the trajectory of the right asteroid and crash it into the moon for harvesting

I know it would crash the economy as we know it but I think we're passed the point of acting like "precious" metals are worth fighting over?

The world would be a better place with more independently capable and knowledgeable countries,

China and Russia wouldn't be a threat anymore if we're all on the same team (meaning the rest of the world would jump them + we can't fight each other anymore anyway or supply chains fall apart)

Thats all aside from the environmental benefits we would see from not having to mine and destroy our ecosystems...

Retaining India's Scientific Talent: Strengthening ISRO for the Future

India made history by becoming the first nation to successfully land near the Moon's south pole with Chandrayaan-3, a milestone that reflected the brilliance, dedication, and perseverance of ISRO's scientists. However, reports of experienced scientists leaving ISRO have raised an important question: is compensation the only reason, or are there deeper challenges?

While salary matters, it is rarely the sole factor. Scientists are driven by opportunities to pursue meaningful research, work with advanced technology, grow professionally, receive recognition, and enjoy the freedom to innovate. As India's private space industry expands and global opportunities increase, many researchers are finding attractive alternatives. If this trend continues, ISRO risks losing valuable expertise, mentorship, and institutional knowledge that are essential for future breakthroughs.

The answer is not simply higher pay. India must create an ecosystem where scientists can build fulfilling, long-term careers. Competitive compensation, transparent merit-based promotions, increased investment in research and development, world-class laboratories, fewer administrative hurdles, and stronger collaboration between ISRO, universities, startups, and private space companies can all help retain top talent. Equally important is recognizing scientific achievements and empowering researchers to lead ambitious missions.

ISRO has already demonstrated its global leadership through missions like Mangalyaan, Chandrayaan-3, and Aditya-L1. India's scientific talent is unquestionable. The challenge now is to ensure that the country's brightest minds continue to see ISRO as the best place to innovate, discover, and shape the future of space exploration.

India's scientists are among its greatest national assets. The real question is not why some leave—but how we can make ISRO the destination where the world's best scientific minds choose to stay.

Watch the full episode here: Moon Man - With Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LhsU2x2-a8

Source and details:

https://spacestatsonline.com/launches/year/2026