Tag: Moon

Engineers enlist NASA to send yet another time capsule to the moon — 24 sapphire discs will contain ‘the very essence of humanity’ printed over 170 billion pixels but who will read them?

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 1, 2024
No Comments on Engineers enlist NASA to send yet another time capsule to the moon — 24 sapphire discs will contain ‘the very essence of humanity’ printed over 170 billion pixels but who will read them?

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NASA, in collaboration with a team of international scientists, researchers, designers, and artists led by French engineer Benoit Faiveley, is set to send another time capsule to the moon.

The project, titled “Sanctuary on the Moon”, is part of NASA’s ambitious Artemis CLPS program and enjoys the support of UNESCO and the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Sanctuary on the Moon aims to engrave 24 sapphire discs with “the very essence of humanity”. The discs, currently being engraved at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), will contain a diverse portrait of our species in micropixels – up to 7 billion per disc.

An inspiration for generations to come

This will be the first time the collective human ‘recipe’ in the form of male and female genomes will be taken to another world, and the project aims to pass on an intelligible message to future generations of humans – and other intelligent life forms who might happen to stop – by using universal symbols of our knowledge and culture. The plan is to tell the story of “who we are, what we know, and what we do” and the discs will include examples of mathematics, culture, paleontology, art, and science, along with the human genome.

The moon, with its ancient surface impervious to natural disasters, is viewed as being the ideal location for this archival time capsule which will be housed in a container designed to endure the harsh lunar conditions for many years, meeting all the space certifications required by NASA.

Joel Kearns, NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, expressed his excitement about the project. “We are delighted to take Sanctuary to the Moon”, he said. “We believe that this internationally curated repository of knowledge on the Moon will serve as an inspiration today and for many generations to come.”

The multidisciplinary Sanctuary team includes 11 renowned scientists, engineers, astrophysicists, paleontologists, cosmologists, and artists. The project has also received support from organizations such as CNES, CEA, INRIA, BCGSC, and UNESCO.

You can find out more about the Sanctuary on the Moon project here.

The Sanctuary team looking at the 'Life' disc on WILDER images wall, at INRIA Paris Saclay

(Image credit: Benedict Redgrove)

Moon mining startup Interlune wants to start digging for helium-3 by 2030

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 16, 2024
No Comments on Moon mining startup Interlune wants to start digging for helium-3 by 2030

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A budding startup called Interlune is trying to become the first private company to mine the moon’s natural resources and sell them back on Earth. Interlune will initially focus on helium-3 — a helium isotope created by the sun through the process of fusion — which is abundant on the moon. In an interview with Ars Technica, Rob Meyerson, one of Interlune’s founders and former Blue Origin president, said the company hopes to fly its harvester with one of the upcoming commercial moon missions backed by NASA. The plan is to have a pilot plant on the moon by 2028 and begin operations by 2030, Meyerson said.

Interlune announced this week that it’s raised $18 million in funding, including $15 million in its most recent round led by Seven Seven Six, the venture firm started by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The resource it’s targeting, helium-3, could be used on Earth for applications like quantum computing, medical imaging and, perhaps some day down the line, as fuel for fusion reactors. Helium-3 is carried to the moon by solar winds and is thought to remain on the surface trapped in the soil, whereas when it reaches Earth, it’s blocked by the magnetosphere.

Interlune aims to excavate huge amounts of the lunar soil (or regolith), process it and extract the helium-3 gas, which it would then ship back to Earth. Alongside its proprietary lunar harvester, Interlune is planning a robotic lander mission to assess the concentration of helium-3 at the selected location on the surface.

A graphic showing how helium-3 is produced by the sun, travels to the moon and is deflected by Earth's magnetosphere — Interlune

“For the first time in history,” Meyerson said in a statement, “harvesting natural resources from the Moon is technologically and economically feasible.” The founding team includes Meyerson and former Blue Origin Chief Architect Gary Lai, Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt, former Rocket Lab exec Indra Hornsby and James Antifaev, who worked for Alphabet’s high-altitude balloon project, Loon.

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Tags digging, helium3, Interlune, Mining, Moon, Start, Startup

News

Moon Deluxe Edition board game with playmat

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date November 4, 2023
No Comments on Moon Deluxe Edition board game with playmat

Moon Deluxe Edition board game with playmat new coin chests and more

If you missed the first Kickstarter campaign for the Moon board game, you will be pleased to know that it has been reprinted and is once again available on Kickstarter offering savings through early bird pledges. The playmat is £20 and you can also choose between four different coin chests each priced at £20 or go for a complete bundle priced at £90 for everything including the Valkyrie expansion which was available to backers of the first campaign.

Are you ready to embark on a lunar city-building journey that spans a century? Moon is the latest tabletop adventure crafted by Haakon Hoel Gaarder and Sinister Fish Games. This strategic saga is not just a game; it’s a futuristic odyssey that stands as the capstone to a thematic trilogy that began with “Villagers” and was followed by “Streets”. Backer early bird pledges are now available for the ground-breaking project from roughly $53 or £45 (depending on current exchange rates).

If you’re wondering how Moon fits into the bigger picture, you will be pleased to know that “Villagers” has secured its place within the top 1000 games on BoardGameGeek, with “Streets” not far behind in the top 3000. These accolades speak to the quality and engagement offered by the series.

Moon board game

Assuming that the Moon Deluxe Edition funding campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and the project completion progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around April 2024. To learn more about the Moon Deluxe Edition reprint and how to play check out the videos below.

Moon playmat

As for the Moon it is not merely a board game. It’s an invitation to compete against 1-5 players—or a solo AI opponent—in establishing the capital of the lunar frontier. The gameplay is rooted in a ‘pick & pass’ card drafting mechanism. Here, you’ll find yourself meticulously crafting a base across three eras, focusing on infrastructure and resource production. The ultimate objective is to build the most illustrious base by the game’s conclusion.

Here are some features you can anticipate:

Reputation Cards: These are the currency of your fame and influence on the lunar surface. You’ll vie with others to acquire these cards, which are pivotal to securing victory.
Era Bonuses: At the close of each era, bonuses are awarded, serving as critical pivot points in your strategic planning.
Expedition Cards: These traverse the table, granting each player a special action per turn, thus injecting a dynamic element into the gameplay.
Moon Rovers: These are not just for show; they’re functional pieces that allow you to visit opponent bases and claim additional resources.

The design of the game is such that it balances strategic depth with accessibility. Whether you’re a seasoned board game veteran or a curious newcomer to tabletop gaming, Moon promises a challenging yet approachable experience.

Moreover, the game’s components have been given due consideration. The playmat ensures a smooth gameplay experience, while the new coin chests bring a tactile satisfaction to your lunar treasury.

While maintaining a technical tone, it’s important to note that this edition is designed to enhance the gaming experience without overwhelming the players with complexity. The sophistication of Moon lies in its balanced gameplay, which allows for a variety of strategies without dictating a single path to victory.

The structure of the game encourages players to think ahead, plan with foresight, and adapt to the competitive lunar environment. Whether it’s through managing resources or outmaneuvering your opponents through strategic card play, Moon offers a cerebral challenge that is both rewarding and immersive.

Sinister Fish Games

Moon presents a compelling blend of strategy, competition, and thematic depth. It’s a celebration of the series’ success and a testament to the thoughtful design that board game enthusiasts have come to appreciate from Sinister Fish Games.

For a complete list of all available project pledges, stretch goals, extra media and product capabilities for the reprint with playmat new coin chests and more, jump over to the official Moon Deluxe Edition crowd funding campaign page by investigating the link below.

Source : Kickstarter

Disclaimer: Participating in Kickstarter campaigns involves inherent risks. While many projects successfully meet their goals, others may fail to deliver due to numerous challenges. Always conduct thorough research and exercise caution when pledging your hard-earned money.

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Tags board, Deluxe, Edition, Game, Moon, playmat