China has significantly advanced its military capabilities with the introduction of an innovative design for a space-based solar power plant, potentially allowing for the transmission of steerable microwave beams to Earth. This development, revealed by Duan Baoyan, a prominent architect of China's "Zhuri" project, highlights the dual-use nature of the technology, which can support both civilian energy needs and military communications, including jamming capabilities. Duan Baoyan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Xidian University in Xian, articulated the importance of this orbital technology in his recent publication in Scientia Sinica Informationis. He described the... [Continue Reading]
NASA has unveiled its plans for a permanent base on the Moon, an initiative estimated to cost $20 billion (£15 billion). The announcement, made recently in Washington DC by NASA's chief Jared Isaacman, marks the first time a detailed timeline and roadmap have been presented for the construction of such a lunar outpost. Isaacman emphasized the agency's commitment to not only returning to the Moon but also establishing a sustainable human presence, making it a critical component of U.S. space strategy. During the announcement, Isaacman stated, "NASA is committed to achieving the near-impossible once again, to return to the Moon... [Continue Reading]