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
- Opportunity Knocks! Farthest-Driving Mars Rover Explores Eroded Valley May 23, 2017NASA's Mars rover Opportunity has reached its next destination — a valley called Perseverance, where the long-lived robot will scour the surface for clues about how the vast crevice formed.
- NASA's Acting Chief Is Upbeat About Proposed $19.1 Billion Budget in 2018 May 23, 2017NASA's acting administrator, Robert Lightfoot, maintained a positive tone today (May 23) while discussing the agency's 2018 budget estimate, which grapples with a 0.8-percent overall cut compared to 2017.
- Meet 'The Mars Generation': In Documentary, It's Red Planet or Bust May 23, 2017A new clip for the Netflix original documentary "The Mars Generation" — which focuses on the potential for today's teenagers to go to Mars in 20 years if humanity plays its cards right — highlights the legacy of Apollo in setting up aspirations for Mars.
- NASA’s Future Plans Simply Put in 2018 Budget Proposal Video May 23, 2017“Dream, innovate, build and discover” is the pitch to Congress, White House and the American people for the 2018 budget for the space agency. See what's currently on tap for NASA.
- Roger Moore, Who Took James Bond to Space, Dies at 89 May 23, 2017During his prolific film career, Moore starred in seven James Bond films between 1973 and 1985. But for space fans, it was Moore's turn as secret agent 007 in 1979's "Moonraker" that will live on.
- 'Alien' Director Challenges Actors Like a Xenomorph, Star Says May 23, 2017Space.com asked the cast of Ridley Scott's new sci-fi horror film "Alien: Covenant" how they prepared for roles in which they have to put themselves in the shoes of superhumans in distress.
- Harmonious Universe on Display Again in TRAPPIST-1 System | Video May 23, 2017Similar to the lockstep “dance” between Jupiter and its moons, the “orbital resonance” of the outermost planets of ultra cool dwarf star system can predict orbital periods. Learn more about it.
- In Nat Geo's 'Genius,' Visualize Einstein's Theory of Relativity May 23, 2017After struggling for years to be recognized for his controversial scientific ideas, Albert Einstein finally reaches science celebrity status in Chapter 5 of "Genius," which airs tonight on the National Geographic Channel.
- Watch Live @ 12:30pm ET: NASA 2018 Budget Presentation May 23, 2017Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot will hold a televised briefing with NASA employees today (May 23) at 12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT) to discuss the Trump Administration's 2018 budget request for the space agency.
- Astronauts Restore Space Station to Full Health in Quick Repair Spacewalk May 23, 2017NASA astronauts sped through an urgent spacewalk this morning (May 23) to replace a malfunctioning computer relay box outside the International Space Station.
- Image of the Day May 23, 2017NASA's Juno spacecraft captured this view of a storm on Jupiter known as the Little Red Spot.
- Astronaut Leland Melvin Celebrated for Work Championing Women May 23, 2017Leland Melvin, the NFL football player turned NASA astronaut, now spends his days inspiring women and minorities to pursue careers in STEAM fields.
- Storytelling Platform 'Makers Men' Profiles Astronaut Leland Melvin | Video May 23, 2017Makers Men “highlights a select group of men who have taken concrete actions to help make the world a more equal place for women,” according to the shows producers. The NASA astronaut fits the bill.
- Orbit of Earth-Size Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1h in Alien Solar System Nailed Down May 23, 2017Astronomers have nailed down the path of the outermost planet in the TRAPPIST-1 system, finding that this world takes 19 Earth days to complete one lap around its small, faint host star.
- Watch Astronauts Do a Quick But Vital Spacewalk Repair Today May 23, 2017Two NASA astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station today (May 23) on an unplanned spacewalk to replace a vital computer data relay box.
- Hot-Donut Earth? Planet May Once Have Taken on Odd 'Synestia' Form May 23, 2017Earth probably became a "synestia" for a brief period about 4.5 billion years ago. That's the term for a newly proposed cosmic object: a huge, hot, donut-shaped mass of vaporized rock that results from the collision of two planet-size bodies.
- Cruz to Hold Hearing on Updating the Outer Space Treaty May 22, 2017The chairman of the Senate's space subcommittee said May 16 that his committee will hold a hearing next week to hear testimony on possible updates to a 50-year-old treaty that is the cornerstone of international space law.
- 2018 Budget Proposal to Spread Cuts Across NASA Programs May 22, 2017More than $560 million in budget cuts will be spread across many NASA programs, from science to human spaceflight, when the White House releases its complete fiscal year 2018 budget proposal next week.
- New Method Builds Bricks Using Fake Lunar Soil, Heat from Sun May 22, 2017Moon explorers could one day build their houses from bricks made out of lunar soil, or regolith, using just the energy of the sun, according to a new experiment by the European Space Agency (ESA).
- Martian Sky Went Metal After Meteor Strikes May 22, 2017Metal detected in the sky of Mars may come from meteors streaking through the Red Planet atmosphere, a new study finds.
NASA Breaking News
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LiveScience.com – Top Stories
- Tainted Nacho Cheese: Why Botulism Is So Deadly May 23, 2017A botulism outbreak has killed one man and sickened nine other people who ate nacho cheese sauce contaminated with the toxic bacterial protein.
- How Alcohol & Gut Fungus Team Up to Damage Your Liver May 23, 2017Fungi living in the human gut may contribute to the development of alcoholic liver disease.
- Robo-Venus Flytrap Could Help Bots Grasp Objects May 23, 2017The artificial Venus flytrap could give soft robots a way to grasp and release objects autonomously, according to scientists.
- Less Than 1 Drink Per Day May Raise Your Breast Cancer Risk May 23, 2017Women who can't wait to have their glass of wine at the end of the day, take note: A new report concludes that even one small drink daily can raise a woman's risk of breast cancer.
- Fiction Imitates Horrific Reality in Zombie Sci-Fi Novel | Video May 23, 2017Parasitic fungus turns people into flesh-eating zombies in the chilling new sci-fi novel "The Boy on the Bridge."
- Catherine the Great: Biography, Accomplishments & Death May 23, 2017Catherine the Great was Russia's longest-ruling female leader.
- Narwhals Use Tusks to Stun Prey, Drone Footage Reveals May 23, 2017New video footage revealed the narwhal tusk's violent purpose.
- Meet the Top 10 Newfound Species of 2016 | Video May 23, 2017The annual list highlights the top 10 newly discovered and named species of the previous year. This year’s list includes new species with bizarre names, unique diets, and more.
- Remains of Mini 'Komodo Dragon' Found in Greece May 23, 2017The last monitor lizard in Europe is discovered.
- Watch This Artificial Venus Flytrap Pick Up Tiny Objects | Video May 23, 2017The light-driven artificial Venus flytrap could one day enable soft robots to grasp and release objects autonomously, according to scientists.
- What Really Counts as Binge Drinking? | Video May 23, 2017You might be surprised about what health experts consider binge drinking.
- Are Cats Responsible for 'Cat Ladies'? May 23, 2017The strange neuroscience of the cat parasite called Toxo.
- Freeze-Dried Space Sperm Gives Rise to Healthy Baby Mice May 23, 2017Mouse sperm preserved on the International Space Station for nine months gave rise to healthy pups, a new study finds, suggesting that people could one day reproduce safely in space.
- 'Space Aggressors' Train US Forces for Extraterrestrial Conflict May 23, 2017Elite military units are specializing in mock space warfare, as Russia and China develop anti-satellite weaponry.
- Zombies in Sci-Fi Novel Have Gruesome Real-World Inspiration May 23, 2017Unlike most of the zombie plagues that populate sci-fi movies and novels, the infectious agent in "The Boy on the Bridge" is grounded in horrific reality.
- Why Bad Moods Are Good For You May 23, 2017Bad moods and sadness are a normal, and even a useful and adaptive part of being human, helping us cope with many everyday situations and challenges.
- Italy's Supervolcano Builds Up Stress — But No Eruption Coming May 23, 2017A large caldera called Campi Flegrei in Naples may be more stressed than previously thought.
- Facts About Sunscreen and Sun Protection May 23, 2017Sunscreen is the best line of defense against skin cancer. However, many people aren't using it correctly.
- Chaco Culture: Pueblo Builders of the Southwest May 23, 2017The Chaco Culture flourished between roughly the 9th and 13th centuries A.D. in what is now New Mexico.
- New Sunscreen Recommendations for 2017: Here's What to Look For May 23, 2017Not all sunscreens are created equal: Nearly three-quarters of sunscreens are either ineffective or contain chemicals that could harm your health, a new report finds.
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
- Tangoing pairs of hungry supermassive black holes grow in number May 23, 2017The discovery of more of these deadly duos through a fresh data-sifting technique raises the hope that their secret recipe might soon be unlocked
- Astronomers scramble as ‘alien megastructure’ star dims again May 23, 2017Tabby’s star’s weird behaviour has been blamed on everything from asteroids to aliens. Now astronomers are racing to watch its dimming in action
- Weird energy beam seems to travel five times the speed of light May 23, 2017The galaxy M87 emits a jet of plasma that looks like it’s breaking the cosmic speed limit – here’s how it manages the trick
- Mouse sperm sent into space produces healthy IVF babies May 22, 2017The first experiment to test how space travel could affect mammals’ reproduction shows that pregnancy can smooth over DNA damage from cosmic radiation
- LIGO could detect gravitational waves’ permanent space-time warp May 19, 2017When gravitational waves permanently distort space-time, it causes a “memory” signal – which may help LIGO find some of the universe’s most exotic objects
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