Bill Housley
Science Fiction and Fantasy Author
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Into the Dark–Escape of the Nomad
In a world where space travel is forbidden, former astronaut Stan McPherson wants to return to space but finds himself caught up in a dangerous game of interstellar cloak-and-dagger. Click the image above to read Chapter 1 online for free.
Where’s The Cat?
On a long cargo flight to the outer solar system, Pauline gets a visitor she didn't expect, and learns of a marvelous friend she never knew she had. Click on the image above to read this short fiction online for free.
Another Man’s Terrorist
Two orphaned child soldiers sell all they have to leave their war-torn planet on a quest for peace, but when they arrive at their new home they find that the war has beaten them there. Now the older sister Jessica must struggle to keep the only family she has left from being lost in a conflict that she no longer wants. Click the image above to read this story for free online. For a limited time only!
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Space.com Top Stories
- 'Stargate' Franchise Is Coming Back with 'Stargate Origins' July 22, 2017The Stargate science fiction franchise is getting a revival this fall with "Stargate Origins," a new TV series that will serve as a prequel to the existing Stargate universe, which made its TV debut 20 years ago.
- Catch a Speeding Star: High-Velocity Milky Way Objects Tracked (Animation) July 22, 2017A new animated video from the European Space Agency shows how the stars in Earth's galaxy have moved over the last million years — and tracks the movement of six special stars that are speeding through the Milky Way.
- Buzz Aldrin and George Clooney Talk Apollo 11 Moonshot in Omega's 'Starmen' July 22, 2017On the heels of Moon Day watchmaker Omega has produced a short documentary called "Starmen,"featuring one of the first men on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, and actor George Clooney. It's worth a watch, with or without popcorn!
- Today in Space! July 22, 1972: Venera 8 Lands on Venus July 22, 2017Find out what happened on July 22, 1972, when the Soviet Union's Venera 8 probe became the second spacecraft to successfully execute a soft landing on the planet's surface.
- Space-Grown Crystals Could Counteract Toxic Nerve Poisons July 22, 2017Enzyme crystals growing in the microgravity of the International Space Station will help scientists develop improved antidotes for toxic nerve agents.
- Final New Moon Sunday Starts the Countdown to the Great American Eclipse July 22, 2017The total solar eclipse is coming across the United States on Aug. 21; early Sunday morning (July 23) marks the first new moon before the dramatic event.
- 2017 Solar Eclipse Science Will Star Planes, Radio Waves and Citizen Help July 22, 2017With the 2017 total solar eclipse only one month away, scientists from several science organizations highlighted how studying the sun during an eclipse will help improve understanding of the behavior of Earth's closest stellar neighbor.
- SpaceX: First Private Flights to Space Station July 21, 2017SpaceX is a private spaceflight company that regularly delivers payloads to the International Space Station via its Dragon spacecraft.
- The Weirdest Aliens of 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' July 21, 2017Thousands of bizarre alien species coexist in one giant alien megastrucure in the new science-fiction action film, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets." Here are some of the coolest — and weirdest — extraterrestrial species in the movie.
- Not Aliens: Weird Radio Signal from Star Likely Has Duller Explanation July 21, 2017A strange radio signal that seemed to emanate from a small nearby star probably came from Earth-orbiting satellites, astronomers said.
- Fanatic Frontier: Space.com Treks to Comic-Con 2017 July 21, 2017Space.com is reporting from the 2017 Comic-Con International in San Diego, where space science collides with movies, TV, comic books and more.
- The Best Space-Themed Gear for Back to School 2017 July 21, 2017Get a head start on back-to-school shopping for your little space cadet with these space-themed school supplies and more!
- Speedy Mars Moon Zips Around Red Planet in Amazing NASA Video July 21, 2017Phobos makes haste in a new Hubble NASA video, as the telescope caught the small Martian moon twinkling against the black cosmic canvas in a speedy voyage along the natural satellite's orbit around Mars.
- Target's Space-Based Cotton Challenge Aims for Sustainable Farming on Earth July 21, 2017Can space-based experiments help make cotton a more sustainable plant on Earth? A new science challenge will offer researchers up to $1 million in funding to find out.
- Old NASA Computers, Tapes Found in Dead Man's Basement July 21, 2017Two huge, Apollo-era NASA computers and more than 300 data-recording tapes were found in the basement of a dead engineer in late 2015, according to media reports.
- 'We Don't Planet' Episode 13: Spiral Galaxies July 21, 2017There are many spiral galaxies in the universe, including our own Milky Way. Learn all about these gorgeous structures in the 13th episode of the astrophysics-explainer video series "We Don't Planet."
- Image of the Day July 21, 2017As the Hubble Space Telescope was checking out Mars, it captured this view of the moon Phobos emerging from behind the Red Planet in its orbit.
- Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely) July 21, 2017On Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will darken the skies from Oregon to South Carolina. Here's what you need to know about this rare celestial show.
- Solar Eclipse Day Craziness Could Resemble the Zombie Apocalypse — Are You Ready? July 21, 2017Only one month left until the Great American Eclipse passes across the continental United States.
- In 'Valerian,' International Space Station Evolves into Interstellar Metropolis July 21, 2017In the new Luc Besson movie, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets," the title city of Alpha has a present-day origin: the International Space Station.
NASA Breaking News
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LiveScience.com – Top Stories
- Shark Week: How to Watch It Like a Scientist July 22, 2017As the Discovery Channel and National Geographic Wild unleash a week of dueling shark programs, a biologist advises viewers to take what they see with a large grain of sea salt.
- Why Does Hunger Vanish When You Ignore It Long Enough? July 22, 2017Why is it that when you're tremendously hungry, you're able to forget about it if you're in the middle of an intriguing activity, such as reading a good book?
- The Most Interesting Science News Articles of the Week July 21, 2017Here are the most interesting, amazing and unusual things that happened in the world of science this week. A recap of Live Science's best.
- Amazing Images: The Best Science Photos of the Week July 21, 2017Here are the stories behind the most amazing images in the world of science this week. A recap of the coolest photos featured on Live Science.
- French Culture: Customs & Traditions July 21, 2017The customs and traditions of France, center of fashion, art and architecture.
- How Brain's 'Helper Cells' Could Contribute to Schizophrenia July 21, 2017Brain cells called glial cells from people with schizophrenia are highly dysfunctional, a new study finds.
- Be Cautious of Birth Control Apps, Experts Say July 21, 2017An app approved as contraception in Europe may not be as foolproof as advertised.
- How Two Bodies Stayed Mummified for 75 Years in a Swiss Glacier July 21, 2017The two bodies were so well preserved thanks to the cold and dry conditions deep within the ice.
- How Sugary Drinks May Change the Way Your Body Burns Fat July 21, 2017Washing down your bacon cheeseburger with a big, cold soda may trigger the body to store more fat than it would if you drank something without sugar, a new small study finds.
- Cool the Planet? Geoengineering Is Easier Said Than Done July 21, 2017Scientists are exploring ways to re-engineer the planet to counter the effects of global warming.
- How 'Bad' Gut Bacteria Can Change Their Evil Ways July 21, 2017The idea that gut bacteria can either be "good" or "bad" may not tell the whole story.
- Did Oxygen Therapy Really 'Reverse' Child's Brain Damage? Experts Are Skeptical July 21, 2017Two doctors claim to have used controversial oxygen treatments to reverse brain damage in a 2-year-old, but other experts are very skeptical of the claim.
- Magic Bots: Vine-Inspired Robots Can Grow on Demand July 21, 2017Robots that mimic ivy vines can grow thousands of times their original lengths at speeds faster than the average person can run, a new study finds.
- Sour Note: In Ancient Rome, Lemons Were Only for the Rich July 21, 2017Citrus trees — including lemon, orange, lime and pomelo trees — are native to Southeast Asia, so how on Earth did they end up in the ancient Mediterranean?
- History's 1st Emoji? Ancient Pitcher Shows a Smiley Face July 21, 2017The iconic smiley face may seem like a modern squiggle, but the discovery of a smiley face-like painting on an ancient piece of pottery suggests that it may be much older.
- Don't Believe the Spin: Fidget Spinners Have No Proven Benefits July 21, 2017There is no evidence that fidget spinners offer any benefits for ADHD, autism or anxiety, a small new review study reveals.
- The Science of Cooking Oils: Which Are Really the Healthiest? July 21, 2017There are lot of options for cooking oils these days. But which are really the healthiest? We talked to nutrition experts and took a deep look at what's in these oils. Here's what we found.
- Solar Eclipse Day Craziness Could Resemble the Zombie Apocalypse — Are You Ready? July 21, 2017Only one month left until the Great American Eclipse passes across the continental United States.
- Huge Underground Lab Seeks to Explain 'Ghosts of the Universe' July 21, 2017Today, scientists will break ground on a huge underground neutrino laboratory that they hope will reveal something about the rules that govern the universe.
- Gold Rush! Oroville Spillway Emergency Creates Bonanza of Gold July 21, 2017The Oroville Spillway emergency may have led to an increase in gold particles in the rivers of the Sierra Nevada.
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
- Elon Musk seems to have ditched Red Dragon lander plan for Mars July 20, 2017SpaceX will design a new spacecraft for a mission to the Red Planet, but Musk’s focus may be closer to home as he tweets Hyperloop plans
- Earth’s underwater dunes help explain Venus’s weird surface July 19, 2017Some of the properties of wind and dust on Venus may be similar to those of water and sediment at the bottom of our oceans
- We could build a galactic internet but it may take 300,000 years July 19, 2017By using the timing of planets’ orbits around their stars, all the advanced civilizations that may exist in the Milky Way could communicate
- When is a black hole not a black hole? When it’s a boson star July 19, 2017Astronomers are confident they know what the mysterious massive object at the Milky Way’s heart is – but our first direct view this year could bring a shock
- Asteroids may have been giant mudballs in the early solar system July 14, 2017Asteroids could have started life as sludgy balls of mud instead of tough rocks, which may explain how rocky planets came to be
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