Intentional Design for a Sustainable Future
6 minute read - The future of logistics, mobility, and operations in space can be bright, IF space partners, satellite operators, regulators have intentionally worked together to design the most sustainable future possible. Read on to explore the aspects of intentional design for a sustainable space future!
Why Space Matters Part 2: Space Is Our Present
4 minute read - Ever wondered why space matters? Dive into Part 2 of our three-part series as Dustin Walker explores humanity’s growing reliance on near-Earth space. From Sputnik to the ISS, discover how satellites revolutionize our world, and how the drive to explore Mars shapes our future.
Biomimetics and Living Machines: How Lessons from Nature can Transform Technology
5 minute read - How can nature's ingenuity revolutionize technology? From the archerfish's precision aim to the self-cleaning properties of lotus leaves, nature's designs are incredibly efficient and effective. Biomimicry harnesses these natural marvels to solve human problems in innovative, sustainable ways. Discover how bio-inspired locomotion, structure, grasping, sensing, and even the creation of living machines are shaping a sustainable future.
Space Questions for the Everyday - Volume IV Elementary Edition
4 minute read - Curious about the cosmos? Join Corinne Moore as she journey’s through the galaxy, answering burning questions from the bright minds at the N.I.C.E Community School District in Marquette County. From the origins of space debris to the secrets of eclipses, Corinne uncovers the universe through the eyes of 5th graders.
Climigrants; Mass Migration to the Midwest Amongst Climate Change
7 minute read - As Earth faces climate challenges, the Midwest emerges as a sanctuary for those fleeing environmental crises. Discover how 'climigrants' are making their way to Marquette, Michigan, where the local community and newcomers grapple with maintaining the area's natural beauty amid rising demands on resources and infrastructure.
Astronautical: The depths and heights of debris
6 minute read - From refrigerators submerged in Lake Superior to satellite fragments orbiting Earth, Liza Fust discusses the critical parallels between managing marine and space debris. Explore how policies crafted for our oceans might pave the way for sustainable practices in space.
One Giant Leap for Mankind, One Grand Illusion for Humankind
6 minute read - In honor of April Fools, dive into the debate with Gabby Muehlenbeck: was it easier to land on the moon or to fool the world? On July 20th, 1969, history was made - or was it staged? From flags waving in the vacuum of space to mysterious 'C' rocks, skeptics have long questioned the Apollo 11 mission's authenticity. Discover the logistics behind faking such a cosmic feat and why, perhaps, truth is stranger (and simpler) than fiction.
Unaccounted Externalities
7 minute read - From solar panels to space debris, our journey at KMI is driven by more than just innovation - it's about preserving the future. Our fight against orbital junk parallels our earthly endeavors for a cleaner planet. Adam Kall attempts to tackle his emissions with a keen eye on cost vs. CO2e reduction and now, he’s applying that same logic to the cosmos. Discover how KMI is making active debris removal not just a necessity but an economically viable option for safeguarding the space industry's future.
Space Exploration Robotics (How to build your own alien adventurer)
8 minute read- Preksha S. Madhva, KMI’s Robotics Engineer, walks us through a plethora of exciting design ideas so you can build your own robotic space explorer.
Apollo I, Challenger, and Columbia: A Retrospective
5 minute read - What can we take away from the lessons of yesterday to ensure we make better ones tomorrow? Corinne Moore examines each of the three NASA tragedies in an effort to explain how each one happened and the safety-driven mindset we must all have as leaders in the aerospace industry.
Why Space Matters Part 1: Space Is Our Past
6 minute read - Space has fascinated people for centuries. This three-part series explores why space truly matters through humanity's past, present, and future. Part 1 examines our history and how space has influenced and shaped our cultures and advanced technologies.
An Entertainment Odyssey: Exploring Celestial Debris
9 minute read - In the tapestry of storytelling, mundane moments become cosmic sagas. These fictional tales, such as the threat of space debris, often prefigure real-world challenges only acknowledged after their imaginative depiction. In this column, William Payne III invites you to delve deeper into an exploration of the interplay between fiction and reality in the entertainment landscape.
Space Questions for the Everyday - Volume III
4 Minute read - Space Questions for the Everyday is back for Volume III! Today Corinne is covering the closest earth like planet, the next solar eclipse, what it takes to become an astronaut, and more!
Better Calendars
9 minute read - There are some messy beginnings for our calendar, and it’s time to address them: Who is Gregory and why did everyone love his calendar? Why isn’t OCTober the 8th month? What does the moon have to do with months? When should we celebrate the New Year anyway? Dive in with Adam Kall as we discover some better ways to track time!
Fission to Fusion, Part 2
5 minute read - Adam Kall further explores fusion: the often-described future of energy and the key to unlocking the utopian Star Trek existence of a post-scarcity economy. Ideals of fusion energy have continued to run into issues of reality, and there may be a new form of energy generation based on the same principles but far more appropriate for creating a future of abundance.
Euclid: Mission and Importance
4.5 minute read - The launch of the Euclid Space Telescope in July 2023 is yet another example of humanities ever expanding abilities to explore our universe. In today’s column, Mike Lundy explores how Euclid has a unique and difficult mission ahead that will provide remarkable insights to some of science's burning questions.
Pricing it Right: The Fresnel Project
4.5 minute read - Explore how KMI prices debris removal missions within the Fresnel project, in collaboration with Privateer. KMI's Maria Berishaj, Bao-Minh Hoang, and Adam Kall delve deeper and explain not only how it's done, but why it's import on the mission of #KeepingSpaceClearForAll.
Spooky Space: Halloween on the ISS
3 minute read - For a special Halloween KMI Column, Corinne Moore presents a special feature on costumes, candy, and more aboard the ISS. Put on your brave faces, grab your favorite holiday treat, and enjoy a lighthearted romp into Halloween’s past. Maybe you’ll find some last minute inspiration for your costume this year!
Fission to Fusion: Part 1
8 minute read - Among the ways to power a spacecraft, nuclear power is often brought up as a long-lasting source of energy for a mission - although it is not being used in KMI’s missions. In today’s column Adam Kall walks through how power is actually made from nuclear fission and goes over the good and bad when it comes to nuclear power generation here on Earth.
Staying Cool in the Heat of the Moment
8 minute read - In this KMI Column, Sam Cassidy, KMI Mechatronics Engineer, ponders the principles of thermodynamics in space as it related to KMI’s Laelaps spacecraft, and also mac and cheese.