Editor, Author at Filling Space

How will virtual and augmented reality affect sustainability?

One major technological change happening right now is the development and spread of virtual reality and augmented reality. Once confined to sci-fi novels, these technologies…

Business Machine

How will robotics advance the space economy?

Editor September 27, 2019 Blue Origin DARPA launch vehicles NASA Northrop Grumman Robots satellites SpaceX the International Space Station the space economy

Robots are critical for expanding humanity off-planet. They help not just with exploring distant parts of the universe, but also with advancing our economic activity…

Cosmos

What do we know about the TRAPPIST-1 system’s habitability?

Editor September 20, 2019 Astrophysics auroras Earth-like planets exoplanets high-energy particles magnetic fields planetary systems stellar radiation the habitable zone TRAPPIST-1

The TRAPPIST-1 system is notable for having Earth-like planets that may be habitable. They are rocky and in the so-called “habitable zone” where water may…

Cosmos

How well can we forecast space weather?

Editor September 13, 2019 auroras Machine Learning magnetism plasma radiation satellites solar eruptions solar wind Space Weather the Sun

Space is more turbulent than it first appears. Space weather, specifically radiation and plasma emanating from our Sun, can affect Earth’s habitability. It can also…

Business

How does one commercialize Earth observation?

Editor September 6, 2019 Artificial Intelligence climate change critical infrastructure Earth observation Earth system models Machine Learning NASA resiliency satellites weather

One of the great benefits of engaging with space is being able to look back on our own planet. Earth observation is an active area…

Worlds

How does stars’ radioactivity affect the habitability of nearby planets?

Editor August 30, 2019 exoplanets gas giants Habitability habitable zones liquid water radioactivity rocky planets Space Weather terrestrial planets ultracool dwarfs

Stars are dynamic entities. They emit radiation and charged particles that affect the planets that orbit them. This “space weather” is thus an important factor…

Machine

How will robotic exploration of the universe evolve?

Editor August 23, 2019 cubesats modular robots robot autonomy robotic rovers Robotics Robots self-reconfiguring robots self-replicating robots teleoperation the aerospace industry

Robotic emissaries explore the universe for us. Whether traveling to our moon, to other planets, or beyond the Solar System, robots are sometimes much more…

Life

What’s it like working as an astrobiologist?

Editor August 16, 2019 asteroids astrobiology astronomy bacteria biology comets earth science exoplanets geology meteors

Astrobiology is a relatively recent area of study that investigates the origin and evolution of life in the universe. Being an astrobiologist combines perspectives from…

Worlds

What do we know about Titan, Saturn’s largest moon?

Editor August 9, 2019 biology geochemistry geology NASA organic molecules physics planetary science Saturn spacecraft Titan

One of the most interesting worlds in this solar system is Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. It has a climate that in some ways…

Sustaining Place

How will human augmentation affect sustainability?

Editor August 8, 2019 artificial organs bionics biotechnology cybernetics embedded devices epigenetics human augmentation neural prostheses predictive medicine transhumanism

If Facebook and Elon Musk’s ambitions to directly connect human brains to machines are any indication, it seems we will become increasingly dependent on smart…