Category Archives: Antarctica

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 17-20 May 2024

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In Peace for All?

As USA, China, and India advance toward declared human Moon landings, cooperative models of interaction based on existing international agreements regarding Antarctica and the High Seas may inform lunar activities; Antarctic Treaty (1959) proscribes aggression under Article 1, ‘Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only’ as does Convention on the High Seas (1958), Article 88, ‘The high seas shall be reserved for peaceful purposes’, sentiments which should serve as conceptual guidance for Moon agreements under consideration by UNOOSA / UN COPUOS, Artemis Accords, ILRS, NASA OTPS, ILOA, MVA and other stakeholders

 
Credits: NASA, UN

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 18-21 Nov 2022

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Cislunar R&D: Antarctica Peace Treaty May Serve as Model for International Cislunar Activity

Peaceful use norms regulated by Antarctic Treaty Secretariat in Buenos Aires, Argentina may be useful example as Cislunar Technology Strategy Interagency Working Group of USA OSTP predicts human activity in cislunar space over coming decade ≥ all previous since 1957, issues 4 main guidelines in National Cislunar S&T Strategy: support for long-term growth, international cooperation, space situational awareness and comms / PNT; JHAPL issues advice for Cislunar Security; AFRL Cislunar Highway Patrol Satellite now ‘Oracle’ to be operated by Advanced Space near Earth-Moon L1 under US$72M contract

Pictured: (Clockwise) OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar, Assistant Director Matthew Daniels, Policy Fellow Kathrine Bretl, Acting Executive Director Kei Koizumi; Credits: OSTP, NASA, LinkedIn, Antarctic Treaty Secretariat

Friday / 14 May 2021

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Permanent Moon Settlement Advanced By International Research Stations In Antarctica

Neumayer III Station, Located On Ekström Ice Shelf In Antarctica (70°38′S 8°15′W) Is Site Of EDEN ISS (UL) Greenhouse, A Prototype Closed-Loop Sustenance System Helping To Feed Onsite Researchers And Develop Technology / Agronomic Knowledge Base Necessary To Sustain Human Life Outside Earth Ecosystem With Collaboration, From Germany Primarily And Austria, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, USA; China Is Pursuing Similar Goals At China Great Wall Research Station (BR) On King George Island Of Antarctica (62°13′S 58°57′W) With Plexiglass Greenhouse Covering 602m2; Efforts Have Focused On Brassica Cultivation

Credits: ESA, ACRYLITE, DLR, Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 17-20 July 2020

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Humanity Strives Toward Achievement Of Multi-World Habitation

As UAE/JAXA, China, USA Prepare Vessels Destined For Mars Orbit, Atmosphere And Surface, Chang’e -4 Lander And Yutu-2 Rover Continue Pioneering Geophysical / Astronomical Observation And Traversment Of Lunar Farside Surface, Citizens Of Earth Pause To Reflect On Incredible Accomplishments Of The First Space Era; Apollo 11 Moon Landing Commemorated For 51st Time On Moonday, July 20 As Space Exploration Day; Inscription “We Came In Peace For All” On Mare Tranquillitatis Landing Site Remains Poignant Moral Guidance, As Does Antarctica Treaty Model Allowing Only Peaceful Military Presence

Credits: CNSA, NASA, UAESA, Antarctic Treaty System

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 25-28 Oct 2019

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Stanford On The Moon Conference:
Antarctica And The Moon As 7th And 8th Continents

 Stanford On The Moon Alumni Club Hosting SOM Conference 25 October During Stanford Reunion Homecoming Weekend, Attended By Astronaut Tammy Jernigan (R); Risa Wechsler (L) Talks About The Kavli Telescope; Roger Romani Lectures On Astronomy In Antarctica While Chao Lin-Kuo Of The BICEP Project Works On Astrophysics Near Earth’s South Pole; Henning Roedel Talks About Antarctica And The Moon, Linking The 7th And 8th Continents; 10 Women Astronauts From Stanford Also Honored At SOM 2019

Credits: NASA, Stanford University, Stanford On Moon

Wednesday / 28 Feb 2018

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ISRO Developing Technologies For Building Igloos On Moon For Future Human Habitat

Indian Space Research Organization Starts Science Program On Building Lunar Habitat With Robots & 3D Printers Using Lunar Soil; Project Led By I Venugopal Has Manufactured 60 Tonnes Of Lunar Soil Simulant At US$15,000 – Properties Match Apollo Samples 99.6%; Currently 5 Proposed Habitat Designs, Similar To Those At India Antarctic Outpost; ISRO Satellite Centre Director Mylswamy Annadurai (Right) Says Many Countries Are Considering Building Permanent Structures On Moon India Wants To Contribute

Credits: TOI, ISRO, Behnaz Farahi / NASA

Wednesday / 18 February 2015

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McMurdo On Moon Conference:
Analog For Moon Settlement

McMurdoMoon0215

Space Horizons 2015: McMurdo On The Moon Conference On 18-19 February At Brown University, Providence RI; Experts In Planetary Science & Antarctica Research Come Together To Examine How Antarctica Facilities Can Be Utilized As A Fully Operational Model For Sustainable Human Exploration Of Moon & Mars; Speakers Include (L-R) Pete Worden Of NASA Ames, Marco Lisi Of ESA, David Marchant Of Boston University & James Head Of Brown University; Event Will Feature 3D CAVE Tour Of Moon; Between 1,000-4,500 Researchers Live & Work In Antarctica At Any Given Time

Image Credit: Space Horizons, NASA, ESA, Boston University, Brown University

 

 

New Year / Holiday Edition
Thurs / 25 Dec 2014 – Mon / 5 Jan 2015

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50 Years After Humans Return To Moon,
50,000 Lunar Visitors Per Year?

SPoleAnalogNewYear2015

Antarctica, A Valuable Analog Site For Testing Lunar Base Systems, May Also Be A Prophetic Model Of What Is To Come On The 8th Continent- Luna; Race To Earth South Pole Won In 1912, No Human Returned Until UN IGY 1957, Now About 50 Years Later The Site Receives About 50,000 Visitors / Year (90% Tourists), With 30+ Countries Maintaining Permanent Research Stations; Human Return To Moon Similarly Delayed, Now Expected ~2020; 50 Years Of Development Could Manifest A Situation Similar To Today’s Antarctica; International Space Powers – India, China, USA, Japan, Russia & NewSpace Enterprises Should Take Note: Those Making 1st Pioneering Steps To Settle / Develop Energy & Resource-Rich South Pole Moon Will Reap The Benefits & Be Well Positioned For 21st Century Solar System Leadership

Image Credit: JAXA / Michael Carroll, Amundsen South Pole Station

Tuesday / 23 December 2014

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Space Horizons Workshop Focuses On Antarctica Moon Base Analogs

SpaceHorizons2015

Brown University Hosting ‘Space Horizons 2015’ On 18-19 Feb, With Theme ‘McMurdo On The Moon’; 50 Paid Participants & 10 Invited Students Will Examine How McMurdo & Other Antarctica Stations Can Be Studied As Models For Human Bases On Moon & Mars; Day 1 Will Include Participation In CAVE (BL) Virtual Reality Tour Of Dry Antarctic Valleys & Surface Of Moon & Mars; Day 2 Engineering Workshop Will Feature Examination Of Architecture & Technologies To Facilitate Functional Moon Base; Featured Speakers Include (L-R) Marco Lisi Of ESA, James Head Of Brown U, Brent Sherwood Of JPL

Image Credit: Brown University, NASA JPL, ESA

Wednesday / 15 October 2014

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Space Horizons 2015:
McMurdo On The Moon?

LED101514Brown University Hosts Annual NASA Sponsored Event Space Horizons 2015, 18-19 Feb; Antarctic McMurdo Station Inspires Asking “What Can 50+ Years Of Science In The Toughest Setting On Earth Tell Us About Working On The Moon?”; Workshops Examine Analog For Breakthrough Technologies To Realize Lunar Settlement; Brown’s 250-Year Anniversary Celebration Highlighted By Contributions In Planetary Science; Cutting Edge Virtual Reality Exhibit Allows Viewer To Fly Over Moon And Antarctica; Online Registration Now Open

 Image Credit: USAP, NASA, Brown University