Science
DIY Alpha Radiation Detector: PIN Photodiode Build Under $30
Build a working alpha radiation detector with a decapped PIN photodiode and charge-sensitive amp for under $30. Includes the paper-sheet test.
Latest
Industry
Additive Manufacturing of Ferrosilicon: High-Silicon Fe-Si Soft Magnets, Markets, and Strategy
Why Fe-6.5% Si soft magnets are 3D-printed, not rolled: a rigorous review of methods, properties, markets, and supply-chain strategy.
Space
Blue Origin New Glenn, the BE-4 Engine, and Blue Ring: A 2026 Strategic Assessment
A 2026 strategic assessment of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, the BE-4 engine, the 7×2 and 9×4 configurations, and the Blue Ring orbital platform.
Lunar
How to Extract Aluminum from Lunar Regolith: Electrochemical Routes vs. Hydrochloric Acid Leaching
Electrochemical extraction of aluminum from anorthite and lunar regolith achieves 96% oxygen yield, far exceeding hydrochloric acid leaching.
Aerospace
The Drone (UAV) Supply Chain in 2026: Components, Bottlenecks, and China's Dominance
DJI holds ~70% of the drone market; China makes 98% of rare earth magnets. A tier-by-tier analysis of UAV supply chain bottlenecks and reshoring.
Space
Who Will Launch ASTS BlueBird Satellites Now? New Glenn Delays, SpaceX, ISRO, and 2026 Cadence Risk
New Glenn’s explosion puts ASTS launch cadence under pressure as SpaceX, ISRO, and other providers become critical backup paths.
Space
Could Blue Origin’s New Glenn Explosion Delay Artemis? LC-36 Damage and NASA’s Moon Base Logistics
How New Glenn’s LC-36 explosion could disrupt Artemis, Blue Moon cargo, rover delivery, and NASA’s Moon Base logistics.
Offgrid
DIY Push Sickle-Bar Mower: Open-Hardware Plans / Recycled Salvage
Open-hardware plans for a push sickle-bar mower: salvage-first BOM, honest physics, and why a ~$120 electric-assist build beats a $4,000 BCS.
Sustainability
Soil Chemistry for Off-Grid Homesteads: pH, Moisture, Crop Selection, and Basic Outdoor Growing
A practical guide to soil pH, moisture testing, crop preferences, and outdoor soil management for off-grid homesteads.
Why Was the New Glenn Explosion So Big? Propellant Load, Fireball Physics, and the 1-Kiloton Question
A technical look at New Glenn’s LC-36 explosion, propellant energy, mushroom-cloud visuals, and why “1 kiloton” remains speculative.
Lunar
Artemis Lunar Base 2026: What the Program Costs, What the Moon Has, and Who Is Winning the Race
Artemis II flew April 2026. The first crewed landing slips to 2028. ISRU is TRL 4. Ice abundance is unconfirmed. China targets 2030.
Offgrid
3D Printing for Off-Grid Homesteads: Practical Repairs, Tools, and Open-Source Libraries for Resilient Communities
How off-grid communities can use 3D printers for repairs, tools, sensor mounts, archives, and open-source local manufacturing.