Category Archives: Space

New Map of the Cathedral Galaxy

Posted on 27 December 2020 by Joseph Shoer

The Cathedral Galaxy: so named to evoke an awe-inspiring structure; something built over generations. Eons before the advent of starflight, the Ancients – Progenitors, Precursors, Archaics, Elders – constructed a galaxy-spanning civilization. They learned to harness energies, manipulate matter, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Maps, Original fiction, Science Fiction, Space, The Cathedral Galaxy | Leave a comment

Apollo and Dionysus

Posted on 21 July 2019 by Joseph Shoer

As I write this, it is 50 years to the moment after the Lunar Module Eagle ascended from the surface of the Moon, carrying a victorious Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin up to their rendezvous with crewmate Mike Collins in … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Space | 2 Comments

A Diary in Space

Posted on 15 September 2016 by Joseph Shoer

I recently read a fascinating book – a diary of a man who spent about a year on a space station. In his journal, he expresses his excitement about learning to live and work in space. He’s proud of the … Continue reading →

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What drives me nuts about “The Martian”

Posted on 3 October 2015 by Joseph Shoer

“The Martian:” Yeah, Martian dust storms are nothing. Yeah, Rich Purnell could’ve explained his maneuver to the NASA top brass with about six acronyms and the phrase “gravity assist.” Yeah, real-life-JPL has almost nothing to do with human space exploration. And … Continue reading →

Posted in NASA, Science Fiction, Space | 2 Comments

Spaceships of the Expanse

Posted on 12 June 2015 by Joseph Shoer

I have been enjoying “The Expanse” series by James Corey. It’s a space opera set a couple hundred years from now, after humans have colonized and populated the moon, Mars, the asteroid belt, and outer planet moons. Spaceships journey between these worlds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Movies, Science Fiction, Space | 35 Comments

Space programs are not ambitious enough

Posted on 31 May 2015 by Joseph Shoer

This week, NASA announced the selection of nine instruments for a proposed mission to Europa. Europa is probably the best place we know about to find alien life, and the discovery of alien life would surely be an achievement rivaling the … Continue reading →

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How to Get to Mars

Posted on 26 March 2015 by Joseph Shoer

NASA wants to go to Mars. Great! The approach, as the agency has been publicizing with fancy graphics like the one below, seems to consist of the following: Send astronaut Scott Kelly to the International Space Station for one year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Concepts, NASA, Science Fiction, Space | Leave a comment