Bill Housley
Science Fiction and Fantasy Author
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Into the Dark–Escape of the Nomad
Where’s The Cat?
Another Man’s Terrorist
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Space.com Top Stories
- Today in Space! June 22, 2000: NASA Finds Evidence of Water on Mars June 22, 2017Find out what happened today in space on June 22, 2000 when NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft found evidence of present-day liquid water on Mars.
- Image of the Day June 22, 2017French astronaut Thomas Pesquet plays his saxophone in the Cupola observatory at the International Space Station. The instrument was delivered to the space station as a surprise birthday gift for the astronaut, who returned to Earth on June 2.
- Official: Ron Howard New Han Solo Director June 22, 2017One of Hollywood's top directors will step into helm Han Solo.
- American Indians in the Space Program to be Honored on 2019 US Dollar Coin June 22, 2017The United States Mint will honor the important roles that Native Americans have held in the U.S. space program with the issuance of a dollar coin in 2019.
- Pew Pew Pew! Why Scientists Are Fired Up About Futuristic Space Lasers June 22, 2017Lasers are helping scientists conduct highly precise measurements and observations on Earth, in orbit around our planet and in space.
- Chicken Sandwich Flight to Near-Space Delayed Again June 22, 2017A high-altitude balloon flight that would have carried a chicken sandwich to the edge of space has been delayed again, due to wind conditions on the ground.
- House Panel Takes First Step Towards Military "Space Corps" June 22, 2017Lawmakers took the first step towards establishing a 'Space Corps' within the Air Force — similar to the way the Marine Corps functions in the Navy — by drafting legislation that would require the new organization to be set up by January 1, 2019.
- ESA Moves Forward on Gravitational Wave and Exoplanet Missions June 22, 2017The European Space Agency has selected an ambitious space-based gravitational-wave observatory as its next large space science mission, scheduled for launch by 2034.
- Is It Time to Rethink How We Search for Alien Life? June 22, 2017Intelligent, extraterrestrial life could be advanced in ways that would stymie efforts to find them.
- Astronomers Continue Search for Earth-Like Planets at Proxima Centauri and Other Stars (Video) June 22, 2017Astronomers will set the sights of the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) 3.6-metre telescope at La Silla on nearby stars Proxima Centauri, Barnard's Star and Ross 154.
- Stratospheric Zinger! KFC Chicken Sandwich to Launch to Edge of Space Today June 22, 2017A Kentucky Fried Chicken sandwich is scheduled to travel into the stratosphere on Thursday (June 22) aboard one of World View Enterprise's Stratollite high-altitude balloon systems.
- Europa Clipper: Sailing to Jupiter's Icy Moon June 21, 2017NASA's Europa Clipper mission would fly by the icy moon of Jupiter to investigate whether the satellite possesses the ingredients necessary for life.
- NYT Bestseller Celebrates Trailblazing Women in Science [Deal] June 21, 2017From Poland's Marie Curie to Harlem’s Patricia Bath, Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World is an illustrated glossary that highlights the contributions women have made to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
- Slooh Webcasts: Join Slooh's Summer Solstice & Solar Eclipse Webcast! June 21, 2017The Slooh community observatory will showcase the summer solstice today (June 21) and the upcoming Great American (or Transcontinental) Solar Eclipse at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT). Watch live courtesy of Slooh.
- As Seen on TV: These Commercials Were Filmed in Space! June 21, 2017Here is a look back at the brief history of advertising in space.
- Why Solar Eclipses Don't Happen Every Month (Animation) June 21, 2017A new NASA video explains what determines when Earth experiences solar eclipses — and why they don't happen every month, as the moon crosses between the sun and the Earth.
- Astronomers Without Borders Will Give Away 100,000 Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses June 21, 2017Astronomers Without Borders will provide over 100,000 free solar-viewing glasses to underserved communities across the U.S. for the upcoming total solar eclipse on Aug. 21.
- Here Is NASA's Advice for Watching the 2017 Solar Eclipse June 21, 2017In the style of an airline safety announcement, NASA describes how to safely view the 2017 total solar eclipse that will cross the continental United States on Aug. 21.
- Watch Live Friday! Used SpaceX Rocket Launching Bulgarian Satellite @ 2:10 pm ET June 21, 2017A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that has launched once before will make its second flight Friday, June 23, to launch BulgariaSat-1 from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Watch it live here at 2:10 pm ET.
- Report: Two Directors in Consideration to Take Over Star Wars: Han Solo June 21, 2017The proverbial Mos Eisley cantina scene, looking for a pilot.
NASA Breaking News
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LiveScience.com – Top Stories
- Cold-Blooded Mummy: How India's Hot Weather Preserved a Reptile June 22, 2017A thirsty chameleon that perished during its desperate search for water may no longer be of this world, but its mummy — naturally preserved by India's hot, tropical climate — has intrigued people the world over. That includes those who think it's a hoax.
- In Photos: Take a Tour of Grand Teton National Park June 22, 2017The Teton Mountain Range is one of the most dazzling, awe-inspiring natural places still found on the North American continent. Check out these incredible photos of Grand Teton National Park.
- 3,000-Year-Old Wooden Toe Prosthetic Discovered on Egyptian Mummy June 22, 2017The 3,000-year-old wooden toe was recently reexamined by researchers.
- Pew Pew Pew! Why Scientists Are Fired Up About Futuristic Space Lasers June 22, 2017Lasers are helping scientists conduct highly precise measurements and observations on Earth, in orbit around our planet and in space.
- Even Ugly Animals Can Win Hearts and Dollars for Conservation June 22, 2017Must the money raised to save wildlife always aid the most popular animals? New research suggests that marketing can persuade donors that northern hairy-nosed wombat lives matter too.
- Blooming Beasts: Dinosaurs Are Coming Up Roses in AI Artwork June 22, 2017A programmer used artificial intelligence to create images of dinosaurs that were constructed entirely out of flowers.
- Dinosaurs That Once Roamed Antarctica 'Live' Again in Exhibits and Film June 22, 2017Collaborations among paleontologists, museum exhibit developers and artists offer a glimpse of how Antarctic dinosaurs might have appeared in life.
- How Many Teens Are Really Having Sex These Days? June 22, 2017The percentage of teens in the U.S. who have had sex had ticked down since the 1980s, a new report finds.
- What is Acupuncture? June 21, 2017Treatment with acupuncture needles does work to alleviate pain and nausea, studies show.
- Head Lice: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention June 21, 2017It may take more than a month for symptoms of head lice to show.
- Pets Help in Hospitals, But Safety May Be Lacking June 21, 2017Policies for pet therapy programs in health care facilities may fall short in protecting the people and pets involved.
- Breast-feeding May Lower Women's Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke June 21, 2017Breast-feeding may literally be good for the heart: A new study suggests that breast-feeding may lower women's risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Good-Luck Root? Actually, That's a Lizard Penis June 21, 2017Buyers beware, the tantric Indian root you ordered online may actually be dried lizard penis.
- How Much of the Ocean Is Whale Pee (and Worse)? June 21, 2017For marine wildlife, the ocean isn't just their home. It's also their toilet.
- New High-Speed, Sustainable Helicopter Concept Whirls into Air Show June 21, 2017Construction of a demonstrator craft is expected to begin in 2019, with initial flight tests the following year.
- US National Parks Prepare for the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse June 21, 2017On Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the continental U.S. and briefly cast a shadow over 21 of the nation's national parks.
- Insomnia: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention June 21, 2017Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulties falling or staying asleep, even though people have the chance for adequate sleep.
- Hiking in Bear Country? How to Prevent an Attack June 21, 2017Bear attacks are rare, but when news of bear aggression hits the airwaves, even avid adventurers may wonder what's the best way to escape the long and curved claws of such a wild animal.
- Watch: The Mysterious Graveyard Where Turtles Go to Die June 21, 2017A mysterious turtle graveyard just off the island of Borneo has stymied experts for years, ever since Jacque Cousteau discovered it in 1998.
- Shimmering Sea: Why a Beautiful Blue Glow Lit Up the Coast of Wales June 21, 2017Tiny plankton shimmer under a glowing Milky Way.
Discover Magazine — Space
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NASA Image of the Day
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Masten-space.com Blog updates–X-Prize winner!
- Masten Achieves First Hot-Fire of Broadsword Rocket Engine May 11, 2017Mojave, CA – On September 30, 2016, Masten Space Systems successfully concluded the 13-month design, build, and test period for the first development unit of the Broadsword 25 rocket engine, funded as a technology demonstration under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program. This first phase of the engine […]
- What’s the Point? April 27, 2017That is a question that comes up from time to time when people see Xaero-B and Xodiac. Both vehicles seem to be doing what other rocket companies have already *demonstrated* and to greater lengths at that. The underlying premise of the question is this: you are not seeing anything that hasn’t already been done. And
- Masten’s Green Bipropellant: MXP-351 March 23, 2017As part of our partnership with NASA through the Lunar CATALYST (Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown) program, we have been actively developing a proprietary new bipropellant – MXP-351. This propellant is intended to be flown on our XL-1 lunar lander which is capable of bringing up to 100 kg (221 lb) softly
- Summer 2017 Internship December 5, 2016Masten is now accepting intern applications for the Summer of 2017. If you’ve followed us you know we’ve had a great history of outstanding interns working with us. There are few places like us that can deliver an internship with this level of responsibility and hands on work. We’re not looking for gophers, we’re looking for
- Introducing Xodiac and XaeroB June 7, 2016Introducing the next generation of reusable rockets – Masten’s Xodiac and XaeroB. These two new rockets are designed and built on the success of their predecessors – Xombie, Xoie, and Xaero. For those who have followed us, you will see the obvious connection to our previous vehicles. With this new iteration, we are bringing greater capability
- Masten Space Systems selected by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for XS-1 Program July 23, 2014Mojave, CA (July 23, 2014) — Masten Space Systems, Inc. (Masten) announced today that the company has been awarded a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as part of Phase 1 of the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program to develop a reusable launch vehicle. Over the last decade, Masten has built three highly
- Astrobotic Technology And Masten Space Systems Perform Visually Guided Precision Landing June 30, 2014Contact John Thornton contact@astrobotic.com Sean Mahoney smahoney@masten.aero FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ASTROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY AND MASTEN SPACE SYSTEMS PERFORM VISUALLY GUIDED PRECISION LANDING Groundbreaking effort integrates two privately developed technology platforms to validate performance of autonomous precision landing capability Mojave, CA: Astrobotic Te […]
- Project Prometheus May 19, 2014A lot has been going on in the past year, and while we have been busy with clients and flying customer payloads, the Masten Team has also been thinking about ways we could engage the broader community and increase accessibility to our VTVL vehicles. One of the largest barriers to entry for any technology developer
- NASA Partners with Masten for Lunar CATALYST April 30, 2014We’re excited to be part of opening the moon to commercial enterprises. Masten has been investing private money for years building core technologies to open the Moon for business. The CATALYST program is a great step towards unlocking the Moon’s potential. (Source: NASA)
- Masten featured on PBS documentary December 2, 2013We get asked on a regular basis what life is like working at Masten. Well, the good folks at KQED (San Francisco Bay Area PBS affiliate) came out in May to capture a slice of Mojave with a healthy dose of Masten rockets. Watch for Masten to appear around time marker 13:47. We really enjoyed hosting
Discovery Space News
- Huge Tsunamis May Have Ravaged Ancient Mars May 25, 2016When Mars was a wet world, did its oceans experience powerful tsunamis spawned by meteorite impacts?
- Collapsing Cosmic Clouds Birth Black Hole Monsters May 24, 2016Supermassive black holes occupy all known galaxies, but astronomers have little idea how they formed. Now space telescopes have found a clue.
- Mystery Plumes: Did the Sun Bruise Mars? May 24, 2016Strange plumes have been spotted high in the Martian atmosphere that have, so far, defied explanation. Now scientists think space weather is to blame.
- NASA Probe Tracks Object in Solar System's Badlands May 23, 2016While coasting through the outer solar system, NASA's New Horizons is busying itself with astronomical observations of a distant Kuiper Belt Object.
- Solar Superflares Set Stage for Life on Earth May 23, 2016Earth could have grown warm enough for liquid water as far back as 4 billion years ago thanks to massive and frequent solar flares.
- See the Red Planet with Your Own Eyes This Weekend May 21, 2016Mars reaches opposition this weekend, making Saturday and Sunday (May 21 and 22) an opportune time to see the Red Planet with your own eyes.
- Extreme Exoplanets Reveal Migration Mystery May 20, 2016A star hosting 4 massive gas giant exoplanets has been spotted -- is this how our solar system looked in its ancient past?
- How to Form Io's Mountains? Just Squeeze! May 20, 2016On Earth, mountains form along tectonic boundaries, but Io, Jupiter's volcanic moon, is awash with molten rock and dotted with solitary mountains -- how did they form?
- DNews: Meet a Black Hole 17 Billion Times the Sun's Mass May 20, 2016DNews sits down with U.C. Berkeley astronomy professor Chung-Pei Ma to learn all about supermassive black holes, including one nearby that's just honking huge.
- LHC Opens the Quantum Physics Floodgates May 20, 2016As it restarts its mission to discover weird and exotic things about our universe, the Large Hadron Collider is about to become a firehose of quantum data.
New Scientist
- ESA approves gravitational-wave hunting spacecraft for 2034 June 22, 2017The triplet LISA spacecraft, which will use powerful lasers to measure ripples in space-time from supermassive black holes, have been green-lit
- Weird orbits hint ‘Planet Ten’ might lurk at solar system edge June 21, 2017Astronomers studying icy objects in a distant region called the Kuiper belt say an unconfirmed planet with similar mass to Mars could be responsible for tugging them out of alignment
- Buckyballs mysteriously show up in cold space and warp starlight June 21, 2017These molecular carbon cages could be used as tracers to understand how prebiotic molecules form in space
- Kepler finds 219 new exoplanets and 10 are rocky and Earth-like June 20, 2017NASA’s Kepler team has released its latest batch of planet candidates and they fall into two kinds: ones like Earth and those like mini-Neptunes
- The bandwidth black hole that will kill Elon Musk’s Mars dream June 19, 2017Without a new interplanetary internet to support the imminent boom in Martian probes, those with hopes of walking on the Red Planet will be stuck on Earth
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