Keith’s note: The popularity of space exploration – both real and imagined – is something that those of us in the developed and throughly wired developed world take for granted. What we often do not appreciate is how much of our content leaks out and finds its ways across the rest of the world. And in so doing how it can inspire millions of people – ones that we never stop to think about – to aspire to explore space. [much more below]

Dale Andersen: “We’re excited to embark on a journey of discovery at Lake Untersee, a mysterious and untouched gem nestled in the heart of Antarctica. Our mission is to unravel the secrets of this ancient lake and its surrounding oasis, where time-locked paleolake basins and permafrost hold clues to understanding our planet’s past and future. Join us as we delve into this fascinating world, where science meets adventure in one of […]

Keith’s note: Maybe someone at NASA still has a spark of “why not” left in them … If only NASA and Star Trek could do a cross-over episode with NASA’s “First Woman” characters and Beckett Mariner from Star Trek Lower Decks. Just sayin’.

Keith’s note: Last week there was an event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex titled “How Science Fiction Has Impacted Space Exploration and Policy” sponsored by Redwire Corporation. The event consisted of a panel moderated by Redwire’s Mike Gold, an unabashed Star Trek fan who previously held senior positions at NASA headquarters.

Ad Astra Nichelle Nichols, SpaceRef Keith’s note: Actress Nichelle Nichols has died at the age of 89. To generations of Star Trek fans she was the iconic Lt. Uhura. To others she was a symbol of emergent racial equality who literally burst through multiple glass ceilings. To others she was the inspiration for people who actually became astronauts. Regardless of how you first encountered her, she was – and always […]

Woman In Motion, Star Trek And The Remaking Of NASA – A Review, SpaceRef “You know that you have been involved with something beyond living memory when you find yourself telling stories of things that affected the world today to people who never knew how things came to be. That is at the core of “Woman in Motion” – a documentary about the life of actress and activist Nichelle Nichols. […]

Keith’s note: I originally posted this on 7 August 2019. Give today’s political events I thought it was worth reposting. — In light of the naked racism and politics of division coming from the White House – and the impact that it has had on societal events of late – I need to say something. We are stronger as a result of our diversity – not weakened by it. Humanity […]

Keith’s note: In light of the naked racism coming from the White House and the impact that it has had on societal events of late I need to say something. We are stronger as a result of our diversity – not weakened by it. Humanity evolved elsewhere – not in America. As such we are all immigrants. Full stop. We have had a space station in orbit for decades that […]

It Was a Big Week in Politics for Star Trek: Voyager Fans, Slate “The show’s lasting influence can be felt in two stories from this week about prominent Democratic politicians, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Stacey Abrams, both of whom are fans of Voyager and, in particular, its lead character. The first surprise nod to Trek in the political sphere came from the Daily Mail’s unexpectedly wholesome interview with Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, who […]

Keith’s note: I first wrote “Rocket Boys, Vulcans, and Wandering Apollo Rockets” for StarTrek’s official website in 2002 the day after the “Enterprise” episode “Carbon Creek” first aired. The story was clearly inspired by my friend Homer Hickam’s book “Rocket Boys” Well, that episode was on TV last night.
Curiously, after 15 years, and several pivots, NASA seems to be moving back toward the Moon again (which happens to be my favorite destination for human exploration as well as Homer’s) and interstellar object 1I/’Oumuamua (previously A/2017 U1) is passing through our solar system – echoes of the plot of yet another Star Trek tale i.e. “Star Trek First Contact”.