Buzz
The most groundbreaking ideas often seem the furthest out of reach. However, if past pioneers hadn't dared to dream the impossible, we would never have set foot on the Sea of Tranquility or collided protons in a particle accelerator. Likewise, if we don't venture into the improbable now, we'll never explore the outermost planets or open Martian theme parks.
10. Swarm Flyby Gravity Sensing
While most satellites are becoming larger, aerospace engineer Justin Atchison suggests going in the opposite direction—much smaller. He has been granted a Phase I award from NASA to develop his Swarm Flyby Gravimetry concept. Although the name might sound intimidating, the 'swarms' are actually groups of small, endearing probes. This project was one of the 12 to receive NASA’s initial endorsement at a recent symposium for cutting-edge exploration concepts.
The swarms are ideal for exploring some of the tiniest objects in our solar system. These bodies have such weak gravity that they remain unexplored. Without gravity acting as the invisible force that binds them, they zoom past each other at remarkable speeds. Small robots provide a solution, and Atchison plans to launch them toward these small asteroids.
Determining the mass of these tiny space fragments is a challenge. To solve this, a larger parent probe will fire a burst of reflective baby probes straight into an asteroid's surface. The scattered paths of the nanoprobes will be digitally merged to map the asteroid’s gravitational field. It’s an efficient method, as a single batch of low-cost nanoprobes accomplishes what would require many traditional flybys. The data collected from these tiny asteroids reveals chemical signatures and offers insights into their internal structures.
9. TALISE: Paddle Boats on Titan
Although Europa and Mars are often the focus in the search for extraterrestrial life, Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, may quietly harbor the most fascinating lifeforms of all. Europa has a saltwater ocean, and we know early Mars could have resembled a young Earth. But at –180 degrees Celsius (–290 °F), Titan’s seas are made of liquid hydrocarbons instead of water. So, if life does exist in this extreme environment, it would be unlike anything we've ever imagined.
Conventional rovers are not designed to handle water. To explore these eerie lifeforms, we need something that can navigate the methane seas—a paddleboat. Created by a team of Spanish engineers and astrobiologists, TALISE looks like it could belong in a Playskool catalog. However, its true purpose is to explore Titan’s second-largest sea, Ligeia Mare. Officially known as the Titan Lake In-situ Sampling Propelled Explorer, TALISE weighs over 100 kilograms (220 lb) and is planned for a six-month mission.
There's no set launch date yet, as the team is still finalizing the propulsion system. After narrowing down the options, they are considering three choices: smooth wheels, paddles, or corkscrews. Unfortunately, the more exciting options—tank treads, propellers, and hover jets—have already been deemed unfeasible. So, don’t get your hopes up for anything too futuristic.
8. Mars Helicopter
Over the years, countless rover concepts have been proposed, along with an array of propulsion systems including rolling, bouncing, burrowing, and even swimming.
However, flying rovers have been a rare sight—until now. By adding another layer of mobility, the daily range of a ground rover can be expanded threefold. The Mars helicopter won’t replace its wheeled companions, though, as it serves as a supplemental vehicle. NASA’s “little helicopter that could” is highly portable, measuring just 1.2 meters (4 ft) across its blades and weighing slightly over 1 kilogram (2 lb). Its primary role is to act as an autonomous scout, scouting areas well ahead of its ground-based rover.
Getting a billion-dollar rover stuck against a rock 50 million miles away is a major issue, and every inch of progress made by the current rover is the result of careful planning. A flying reconnaissance vehicle, however, could quickly identify the clearest route for its rover companion, saving mission controllers a lot of headaches. From its elevated vantage point, the helicopter could spot areas of interest that are invisible from the surface, including unusually shaped rocks for future rover collection.
The most thrilling part is that NASA aims to have a fully functional prototype within three years. So, if all goes as planned, the compact helicopter may be ready in time to join the next Mars rover mission in 2020.
7. Miniature Europa Sub
Europa has captured the imagination of astronomers. Beneath its icy shell, the frozen world hides a salty ocean that resembles Earth’s seas. This shell is thought to be over 15 kilometers (10 mi) thick in some areas, creating a challenge. But NASA has a solution: a . . . pipe bomb? Surprisingly, the probe shown above is a fully operational submersible, no larger than two soda cans placed end to end.
The Deeper Access, Deeper Understanding (DADU) probe stands out for multiple reasons, one of which is its incredibly light construction. The cost of launching cargo into space is astronomical—tens of thousands of dollars for each kilogram sent beyond Earth. Therefore, saving even a pound of weight can translate into millions of dollars in savings.
Its compact size is also a significant advantage. Sleek and smooth, it seems as though it could slip through thick ice crusts by wriggling through narrow fissures or cracks. However, no such maneuver is needed. The lander plans to drill through the ice and send its tiny companion into the depths of the unknown.
DADU is equipped with an impressively tiny set of scientific instruments. The temperature, conductivity, and depth sensor is smaller than a fingernail. DADU’s sonar is slightly larger but still compact enough to fit inside a matchbox.
To safely explore the depths of Europa, the minuscule DADU submersible stays tethered to a larger vehicle on the surface via a long and flexible cable. This lifeline ensures the lander can constantly recharge DADU, keeping its lithium-ion battery powered as it searches for Europan squid.
6. Disco Ball In Space
Introducing the dazzling space orb. Created by University of Colorado Boulder students, the Drag and Atmospheric Neutral Density Explorer, or DANDE, was the winning entry in a competition for experimental space curiosities. This vibrant disco ball was designed to float around the thermosphere (the second-to-last layer of Earth's atmosphere) measuring drag forces at altitudes between 320 and 480 kilometers (200 to 300 miles).
Density calculations often miss the mark by up to 21 percent. This presents a significant challenge when trying to track satellites zipping through low-Earth orbit at high speeds. Think of DANDE as a cosmic fishing bobber, tracking spatial and temporal variables in real-time and transmitting this data wherever it's needed.
After six years of development, the 150 CU students involved in the project saw their vision realized on September 29, 2013, when SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket successfully launched DANDE, along with several other small satellites, into their designated orbits.
5. Bigelow Space Habitats
Bigelow Aerospace, a privately funded startup primarily backed by founder Robert Bigelow, is focused on developing the space habitats of tomorrow. These blimp-like structures may not win beauty contests, but in space, aerodynamics are secondary, and a spacecraft’s appearance can be as unconventional as you wish. What the Bigelow modules lack in looks, they make up for in practicality—like space efficiency and the ability to deflate.
The Bigelow BA 330, currently in development, significantly outperforms the ISS Destiny capsule in terms of volume. With a length of 14 meters (45 ft), compared to Destiny’s 8 meters (28 ft), astronauts could even enjoy a game of half-court basketball. Its 330 cubic meters (12,000 ft) provide enough space for features like separate bedrooms. Its spacious design is made possible by central storage, with essential tools positioned at the center rather than along the walls like in the ISS.
On Earth, the Bigelow habitat is compact, but once in space, it expands like a marshmallow in the microwave, making it easy to deploy. Bigelow envisions connecting two of these modules to create a miniature, commercial space station that could be rented out. However, the size of the 330 might be an issue—astronauts could find themselves floating too far from the walls, unable to push off to move, leaving them stuck. But with room for six astronauts, there’s always someone nearby to lend a hand.
And because Bigelow Aerospace is a private company, you can secure your ticket today—at a mere $25 million each.
4. The 100-Year Starship
Earth is a wonderful place, but for humanity to reach the next level as a civilization, we must break free from our planetary limitations and explore the cosmos. Though it may seem like a distant dream, some are already plotting an extraordinary interstellar journey.
The 100-year starship initiative (100YSS) has already secured funding from both NASA and DARPA, with the latter contributing a generous million-dollar investment to propel us away from Earth. Leading the charge is former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel to space. The project has also earned backing from several prestigious organizations, including the extraterrestrial researchers at SETI.
The aim is to make interstellar travel a reality within a century. The team behind this ambitious project argues that it's no more implausible than H.G. Wells’s 1901 prediction of a Moon landing, and just 70 years after his idea, American astronauts were swinging clubs on the lunar surface.
One possible approach is to gather a group of adventurers aboard a massive ship bound for the stars. A concept called “Daedalus” was designed in the 1970s, envisioned as a fusion-powered space vessel the size of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Its mission would be to travel the galaxy, seeking out a new world where Earth II could be established.
3. Venus Cloud City
Venus, once a paradise, is now a molten inferno. However, it might have once supported life billions of years ago—and it could again, thanks to NASA’s innovative “cloud city” concept. Since Venus is closer to us than Mars, this mission would give humanity the perfect opportunity to test our cosmic abilities before heading to the Red Planet.
NASA’s ambitious floating cities would reside 50 kilometers (30 miles) above Venus’s surface. The conditions at these altitudes are surprisingly Earth-like, making it one of the most hospitable environments in the solar system, according to mission planners.
At this height, the oppressive pressure of Venus’s surface gives way to more manageable conditions, with temperatures hovering around 75°C (167°F)—a far cry from the 425°C (800°F) scorching below. Colonists in these aerial communities would also be shielded from deadly solar radiation.
Lighter-than-air, blimp-like vehicles could easily stay afloat for an entire 30-day mission, but the return journey will take over a year. The primary challenge, however, is that these ships can't land. The surface is covered in molten lava, so the craft must stay well above it to avoid damaging its sensitive equipment.
This poses a real challenge when your ship is traveling at 7,250 kilometers (4,500 miles) per hour. However, once the parachutes (fingers crossed) open, the rest of the journey will be much smoother. Robotic arms will unfold the blimp and fill it with helium, allowing us to explore and potentially colonize the planet while staying safely off the scorching ground.
2. Nautilus-X
NASA’s Nautilus X may resemble a jumbled collection of kitchenware pulled straight from the sink, but this patchwork shuttle comfortably accommodates a crew of six for missions lasting up to two years. Inspired by DUPLO blocks, the Nautilus features modular sections that can be swapped to adapt to the specific needs of various missions.
Despite the clunky-sounding name, Non-Atmospheric Universal Transport Intended for Lengthy United States Exploration (Nautilus-X) is actually a flexible and mobile space station capable of ferrying crews throughout the solar system. Unfortunately, it won’t land on planetary surfaces, so astronauts will need a shuttle service to reach places like the Moon.
The Nautilus may not be the most visually appealing spacecraft, but it’s incredibly affordable. At $3.7 billion, its price tag is roughly the same as that of the small Curiosity rover and the Rosetta probe combined. That’s a bargain when you consider that the Nautilus could one day replace the $150 billion International Space Station.
Its most striking feature is the rotating ring around its middle. This centrifugal ring spins to create artificial gravity. While it’s not as strong as Earth’s gravity, it’s enough to keep astronauts grounded. The centrifugal force also helps to prevent some of the health issues caused by prolonged exposure to microgravity.
1. SOAR
Europe’s leading satellite manufacturer, the Franco-Italian Thales Alenia Space, has partnered with Swiss Space Systems to introduce a new private option for high-altitude flights. In terms of design, the SOAR resembles more of an aircraft than a spaceship and must be carried aloft by a massive Airbus A300 jumbo jet before it can launch into sub-orbit. Initially envisioned as a drone for delivering satellites, this sleek vehicle is now being adapted to carry humans as well.
Unfortunately, we won’t be hitching a ride aboard this darkened jet just yet, as the Swiss have opted to prioritize scientific research before they cater to wealthy space tourists. The $290 million SOAR, however, offers a unique opportunity as a microgravity laboratory. Tests typically conducted aboard the ISS or in outer-Earth space can now be performed in a cost-effective manner as the plane executes parabolic dips. Additionally, satellites can be launched into orbit—though the aircraft itself never reaches such extreme altitudes—at a fraction of the usual cost.
The design of SOAR’s wings allows it to glide back to Earth like an airplane after each mission, giving it the reusability that other space vehicles envy. By skipping the traditional rocket format, SOAR significantly reduces mission costs, as the small aircraft doesn’t require large fuel payloads to operate.
