Blue Origin’s 2025 all-women spaceflight sparked controversy, with critics decrying its cost and environmental impact. Despite backlash, space tourism’s economic potential could lower costs and make space accessible, driving innovation and a multi-planetary future.
Should the US attempt a crewed mission to Mars by 2028? The answer depends on our goals for space exploration and development. Should it be a nationalistic endeavor, or international cooperation? Frank White weigh the pros and cons of such a mission.
President Trump’s inauguration speech included a surprise pledge to send US astronauts to Mars, citing ‘manifest destiny’. The announcement has sparked debate over the feasibility and priority of such a mission. Will NASA and SpaceX make it happen within the next four years?
As 2024 comes to a close, the commercial space industry is on the rise. SpaceX and Blue Origin are leading the charge with new launches and technology. But as the cislunar economy takes shape, one question remains: when will we shift from missions to migration?
NS-26 and Polaris Dawn: Polar Opposites or Siblings?: Frank White explores the striking contrasts and unexpected similarities between Blue Origin’s NS-26 and SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn missions. Despite their differing mission profiles, both reflect the evolving landscape of private spaceflight.
by Frank White Over the span of a few days in May 2023, two “space tourism” missions left the Earth with very different technologies, passengers, and destinations. Virgin Galactic flew its first crewed mission since Unity22 lifted off in the summer of 2021, with its founder, Sir Richard Branson, on board. This time around, the …
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