Planetocracy

Planetocracy explores the future of humanity's expansion into space, focusing on the challenges, propositions, and advancements in space technology and colonization. It analyses commercial space industry dynamics, theoretical scenarios, legal and ethical considerations, and the progress of key players like SpaceX and Blue Origin in efforts towards lunar and Martian colonization.

Space Colonization Commercial Space Industry Space Technology Legal and Ethical Considerations in Space Space Exploration History and Future Scenarios Comparative Analysis of Space Companies Public Engagement and Policy in Space Exploration

The hottest Substack posts of Planetocracy

And their main takeaways

If Skylab Had Not Been Cancelled

196 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration NASA
  1. Exploring the hypothetical scenario of Skylab continuing after 1974
  2. Potential implications of extended Skylab missions and utilizing Apollo hardware
  3. Consideration of how different decisions in the past could have impacted space exploration objectives

Review of a City on Mars (Part III)

137 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law Sociology Criticism
  1. Space law and international treaties can be used to argue against human expansion but may have unexplored assumptions.
  2. The concept of collective property in space, favored by some, could lead to a bureaucratic system overseen by an international body like the UN.
  3. Enforcing international law on Mars, especially in the face of defiance, poses challenges that have not been thoroughly considered by critics of human expansion.

Mass Value Report for January 2024

58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration
  1. SpaceX may not reach its target of 144 launches for the year due to January's setbacks.
  2. Weather delays impacted SpaceX missions from SLC-4E and Vandenberg Space Force Base in January.
  3. Estimates suggest that SpaceX might not reach 300 flights per year until the 2030s.

Appearing on The Space Show

58 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration Government funding
  1. Dr. Peter Hague will be appearing on The Space Show on January 28th
  2. Topics that may be discussed include government funding in space, competition with China, and petition for Starship flights in the UK
  3. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and tune in for the insightful conversation
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Time To Get Serious About Gravity

255 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration
  1. Understanding the effects of partial gravity on humans in space is crucial for future space settlements.
  2. Creating artificial gravity through rotation is a viable solution, but requires specific conditions like radius and spin rate.
  3. Past experiments with rotational gravity in space show promise but more studies are needed, especially in preparation for Mars missions.

The Great NewSpace Shovel Pile

216 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🕹 Technology Space Exploration
  1. In the commercial space industry, there's a risk of relying on others' folly for profit.
  2. Success in commercial space goes beyond imitating SpaceX; unique challenges and markets must be addressed.
  3. The value of space exploration goes beyond immediate financial returns and requires broadening industry scope and creating incentives.

Alchemy on the Moon

196 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Rocket Technology Space Industry
  1. Blue Origin's Blue Alchemist project aims to develop methods to manufacture goods from lunar materials, starting with producing silicon for solar panels.
  2. Blue Origin's focus on efficiency in their method of Molten Regolith Electrolysis could impact the future space economy by reducing the need for frequent vessel swaps and minimizing the weight of supplies sent to the moon.
  3. Blue Origin faces competition from SpaceX in the race to establish lunar industry, with SpaceX currently holding an advantage in cost-effectiveness and launch capabilities.

The Bear Case for Mars

176 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration
  1. Space colonization, particularly on Mars, may face insurmountable barriers and challenges.
  2. Alternative solutions like creating gravity trains on Mars or colonizing its moons, Phobos and Deimos, could be considered.
  3. Exploring cislunar space and developing free-floating habitats might be a viable alternative or backup plan to Mars colonization.

Mass Value Report for April 2023

157 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Rocket Technology
  1. Starship's growth curve must pick up Falcon 9's momentum to support SpaceX's Mars colonization goal.
  2. Elon Musk sets ambitious goals for Starship flights, aiming for 100 flights by 2025 and 1 megatonne to Mars.
  3. Maintaining a growth rate to meet mass demands for Mars colonization likely to challenge the pace of Artemis missions.

Mass Value Report for May 2023

137 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astronomy Technology Research Innovation
  1. SpaceX has won the race to send mass to low Earth orbit, but the race to send mass to the lunar surface continues.
  2. Blue Origin's 'National Team' has been chosen by NASA to build a human landing system for the Artemis program, showing promise for future lunar missions.
  3. Analyzing mass value helps compare space development progress, like evaluating efficiency between Blue Origin's lunar lander and SpaceX's Starship system.

Mass Value Report for March

117 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Data Analysis Rocket Technology
  1. The analysis focuses on SpaceX Falcon 9 launches and its mass-to-orbit capability
  2. SpaceX is increasing its flight rate through reuse and adding more boosters to its fleet
  3. Future analysis will include data on Falcon 9, mass estimates for beyond Earth orbits, and the transition to Starship for maintaining pace

A Common Project for Humanity

78 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration
  1. Colonizing space could unite people around a common project for humanity.
  2. Lifting enough mass into space is a crucial tool for human expansion.
  3. Monthly Mass Value Reports cover aspects like Falcon 9's capabilities and comparisons with other rockets.

The State of UK Space

58 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astronomy Government funding
  1. UK has a history of missed opportunities in developing indigenous launch capabilities
  2. UK space industry focuses on small satellites and lacks state support for larger projects
  3. UK could consider increasing contributions to ESA, seeking niche contributions to NASA, or developing heavy lift rockets for Moon missions