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Showing posts from November, 2010

Towards establishing a Lunar Research Park

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Ask most people what they like about the Big Island of Hawaii, and you'll get responses ranging from enjoying its beaches to exploring its active volcanoes .  Astronomy buffs may highlight the world-class observatories on Mauna Kea or the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.  In fact, the elevation extremes of the island make it the most environmentally diverse place on earth, sporting all but one of the world's terrestrial climate zones , including desert, tropical, temperate, and even tundra. From an extraterrestrial perspective, this eco-range also means that Hawaii harbors very good planetary analog environments.  The high elevation, dry weather conditions, and lunar regolith-like volcanic deposits make Hawaii an ideal place to practice for missions beyond Earth.  That's why it served as a training ground for Apollo astronauts in the 1960s and why the PISCES (Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems) program has called Hawaii home since 2007

Atlantica, here I come!

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With Earth's ever-expanding human population putting pressure on its limited resources, it's only a matter of time before we get serious about seeking out new real estate to colonize. I think it's inevitable that one day we'll spread out across the solar system and indeed the galaxy, but in the meantime, the 70% of the planet covered by water is prime for exploration, exploitation, and inhabitation. I'm proud to announce that I have been selected as a crewmember to the Atlantica I Expedition planned for July 2013.  Spending five days beneath the sea, I'll earn my aquanaut credentials along with a distinguished crew of highly accomplished individuals .  You can read my Atlantica bio here .