A look at synthetic biology and compact reactors for producing pharmaceuticals in situ. A look at synthetic biology and compact reactors for producing pharmaceuticals in situ When the first long-term Mars settlers arrive, they’ll face a pharmaceutical logistics nightmare. A simple infection, a broken bone, or chronic condition management on Earth becomes exponentially more complex when…
Why future colonies must defend not only against cosmic radiation, but also digital intrusion When we imagine the dangers facing future Mars colonists, we typically think of radiation exposure, life support failures, or micrometeorite impacts. Yet there’s another threat that could prove equally catastrophic: a cyberattack launched from millions of miles away. As humanity extends…
A forward-looking piece on how lunar and Martian industries may connect to terrestrial markets. By 2035, humanity stands at the threshold of a truly multiplanetary economy. What once seemed like science fiction—commercial mining operations on the Moon, manufacturing facilities in Mars orbit, and supply chains stretching across millions of miles—is rapidly crystallizing into economic reality.…
An exploration of farming in asteroid soil simulants and closed-loop ecosystems While humanity’s ambitions extend beyond Mars and into the deeper reaches of our solar system, a radical agricultural frontier is emerging: farming on asteroids. While growing crops in Martian soil has captured popular imagination, the asteroid belt may hold even greater promise as a…
Since landing in 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover has been exploring Jezero Crater, a site believed to have once hosted a lake. Now, new findings from the crater’s “Neretva Vallis” suggest something extraordinary: minerals that, on Earth, are often linked to microbial metabolisms consuming organic matter. While scientists emphasize caution — these could also result from…
SpaceX’s Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, has achieved a major milestone on its tenth test flight. Launched from Starbase in South Texas on August 26 at 7:30 p.m. EDT, the mission successfully met all primary objectives, marking a significant leap toward Elon Musk’s dream of making humanity multiplanetary. Unlike the last three…
Water is one of the key ingredients for life as we know it. On Earth, it shapes landscapes, drives climate systems, and sustains every living organism. On Mars, the story of water is both a mystery and a promise. For decades, scientists have searched for signs of liquid water on the Red Planet, and what…
The red sands of Mars have captivated scientists and dreamers alike for decades. But beyond their striking hue, Martian soils serve as silent storytellers, preserving the memory of a planet that may have once looked much more like Earth. The Color of History Martian soil owes its reddish color to iron oxide—essentially rust—on the surface.…
The largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth has just been sold for a staggering $4.3 million at Sotheby’s New York, raising both excitement and questions across the space science community. Weighing 54 pounds (24.5 kg) and officially named NWA 16788, this rare specimen is 70% larger than any other known Martian meteorite. Discovered in…
For centuries, humanity has gazed at the red planet with wonder, speculation, and the hope of answering one of the oldest philosophical questions: Are we alone in the universe? While visions of little green men have long since been replaced by scientific scrutiny, the search for life on Mars continues—now focused on the smallest…