Once again, cows and astronauts shared the high desert landscape of Babbitt Ranches as NASA, assisted by geologists from USGS, tested equipment, conducted moonwalking drills and practiced geology in preparation for Artemis 3, a crewed mission to the dark lunar south pole region, anticipated for 2026. The cattle seemed untroubled by the slow-moving visitors in spacesuits, a recurring event throughout the last half century. “I smile when I think about my grandad, John Babbitt, a quiet, … [Read more...] about Promoting Space Travel with a Land-Use Ethic
NASA
Volcanic Field Leads to Mars
A half century ago, Northern Arizona played a key role in preparing to send humans to the moon. Now, as NASA ramps up for the next era of landing humans on the moon and exploring the lunar surface, it is back in this area in full force. Most recently, several dozen members of a geophysical research group called GEODES were in Flagstaff and working at nearby volcanic fields. GEODES, short for Geophysical Exploration of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System, is a five-year program … [Read more...] about Volcanic Field Leads to Mars
Getting Spacey in Downtown Flagstaff
Flagstaff has long been known as a center for scientific research and education, and now it has its own science-themed store, Planet Science. Launched by Meteor Crater and Barringer Space Museum, the retail outlet – complete with meteors in the air, NASA gear and a couple of visitors from outer space – opened Friday, May 19 and carries a wide variety of science-themed items, including rocks and fossils, while also hosting interactive exhibits and a place for hands-on activities where people of … [Read more...] about Getting Spacey in Downtown Flagstaff
Babbitt Ranches Supporting Artemis Missions, Promoting Land-Use Ethic on Other Worlds
On land commonly occupied by Hereford cattle, pronghorn antelope and mule deer, a moon rover prototype cruises at a top speed of eight miles per hour near Black Point Lava Flow. It is here on Babbitt Ranches that NASA, Japan’s space program, JAXA, U.S. Geological Survey scientists, along with engineers and technicians, set up a space camp of sorts. They have been preparing for the Artemis Missions to the moon, with the first launch window for the un-crewed Artemis 1 rocket opening Nov. … [Read more...] about Babbitt Ranches Supporting Artemis Missions, Promoting Land-Use Ethic on Other Worlds
Honoring our Values, Living a Life of Thanksgiving
After spending a day in the open spaces of Babbitt Ranches with mission-driven engineers, technicians, geologists, journalists and visionaries from organizations such as NASA, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), the U.S. Geological Survey and Babbitt Ranches, I found myself energized, joyful, inspired and grateful to be in this bubble of positive intelligence focused on propelling the human race forward in cooperation and doing so with a land use ethic. In this pop-up aerospace village … [Read more...] about Honoring our Values, Living a Life of Thanksgiving
Moon Rover Continues to Gain Traction
While Neil Armstrong’s and Buzz Aldrin’s footsteps have been imprinted on the moon and in world history, the Moon Buggy they explored in left tracks on the lunar surface and also in the imaginations of the news media and fans. At 88, the Northern Arizona man who played a role in designing the buggy prototype continues to be tracked down by the news media and fans. Grover, or Geologic Rover, spends its days in retirement in the U.S. Geological Survey building in Flagstaff. Bill Tinnin, the … [Read more...] about Moon Rover Continues to Gain Traction
Astronauts are Back, Training in the Dark
Space-suited astronauts are training again on Babbitt Ranches, preparing for the manned Artemis mission scheduled to explore the lunar South Pole in 2025. The goal is to find ice, which may enable future explorers to set up a space station on the Moon and serve as a launching pad into deeper space. “Because of where Artemis and VIPER [a planetary rover set for launch next year] are landing, the angle of the sun is really, really low. Craters may contain ice that never sees the sun. The … [Read more...] about Astronauts are Back, Training in the Dark
Dream Big, Sweet Girls
The searing flash of flames, the ground-shaking vibration, the deafening roar of engines – witnessing a space shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is not something easily forgotten, but for Lauren Edgar, it is the stuff dreams are made of. The then-second grader, who came to visit her grandmother in Florida, left her vacation with more than warmth in her heart. Little Lauren’s imagination was on fire. “That moment was pretty significant for me – the realization that there were people … [Read more...] about Dream Big, Sweet Girls
Prescott-Area ATHENA Recipient to be Honored
In her experience growing up, and even during her career, Martha Mayhood Mertz wondered why women that she considered to be skilled and inspirational did not commonly rise to the ranks of leadership. Thus, she figured, if women’s strengths were publicly recognized, they could no longer be denied. That was nearly 40 years ago. The ATHENA program she launched in 1982 from Lansing, Michigan, has become an international movement. And, this month, a Prescott-area leader will join the ranks of … [Read more...] about Prescott-Area ATHENA Recipient to be Honored
Sinema Highlights the Importance of Arizona Universities to NASA’s Continued Research and Innovation
Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema spoke today in a Senate Commerce Committee hearing and highlighted the important partnerships between Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University and NASA for continued space research and innovation. “NASA partnerships with Arizona’s universities are strong and beneficial. All three Arizona public universities – the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University – provide students … [Read more...] about Sinema Highlights the Importance of Arizona Universities to NASA’s Continued Research and Innovation
