Category Archives: Space Travel

New research from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggests that flights from Sydney to London could be reduced by around 20 hours by travelling through space.

The experts say that these suborbital flights could be commercialised in the next decade, meaning passengers will be able to navigate the globe in less time than it takes to fly across Australia.

Currently, it takes a whopping 22 hours to fly from Sydney to London but with advances in suborbital space flights, this could become just a few hours.

Suborbital flights entail passengers being launched into space for a short period before descending to the desired location an out-of-this-world shortcut.

These types of flights have been popularised in recent years, such as those offered by Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic.

Currently, space tourists pay around 350,000 per seat making it easy to understand why most passengers opt for the slower but significantly cheaper option.

However, regulators have predicted these prices will soon plummet like a rocket reentering the atmosphere, eventually making this intergalactic flight option more viable.

In their recent study, CAA employed The UKs Royal Air Force technology to recreate the G-forces experienced in suborbital flights on 24 participants.

The results showed that most people could handle space travel without suffering severe health outcomes although a temporary loss of vision was experienced by 88% of participants.

Additionally, people with prior health and lung conditions or obesity could be at an increased risk of poor health outcomes.

Interestingly, due to their stiffer arteries older people may cope better with the effect of space travel than younger people.

Speaking on the findings, Paul Kostek, IEEE senior member and advisory systems engineer with Air Direct Solutions, outlined the critical steps required to grow the space tourism industry and ensure that rapid flights from Sydney to London become a reality.

Kostek explained: The advent of space tourism is very much upon us. However, for space tourism to become an established industry, private companies must be able to achieve a return on investment.

This will come, in part, from the development of reusable space technology, such as launch vehicles that will improve turn-around times and drop costs for crew and materials, so private companies wont have to reinvent the wheel for every space holiday or venture such as these.

The broader plan is to pave the way for commercial companies into space, with the hope that the private industry will help to influence the future of space technologies or even, one day, provide rocket-powered holidays in space.

Space tourism will likely grow over the next few decades and reach a level similar to current commercial air travel. As this announcement implies, companies are already exploring the use of rockets for commercial travel between continents, with a high cost for a quick trip.

In future, prices will need to decrease, and there will need to be more availability with backing from the likes of NASA, which will provide more people with the opportunity to see the Earth from lower Earth orbit and increase humanitys awareness of the planet as a shared place.

There will also need to be more space vehicles, launch facilities and spaceports. Whether launching tourists or satellites into space, increasing the number of spaceports will grow the space travel business and open up a number of opportunities.

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Flights from Sydney to London take two hours with outer space ... - Innovation News Network

The Muslim worlds fascination with space exploration has sparked discussions on its religious legitimacy, prompting debates on the permissibility of such endeavours. Muslim countries, such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Pakistan, and Turkey, have developed their own space programmes, launched satellites, and are planning to send Muslim astronauts into space, in consultation with Islamic scholars. Islamic rulings on space activities for Muslim countries are not uniform or authoritative but rather a dynamic process that depends on the opinions of various scholars and organizations. Some scholars argue that space exploration is permissible as long as it does not harm Gods creation or violate Islamic principles. The issue of space tourism has emerged, with non-binding legal opinions or fatwas being issued to assist Muslim astronauts in observing their faith in space.

Some scholars believe that certain space activities are prohibited (haram), and they cite the Quranic verse Dont kill yourself with your own hands (Quran 2:195) considering space-related activities, especially space tourism, as equivalent to self-harm. They argue that partaking in space tourism involves risk andviolates the self-preservation principle, or the duty to protect oneself from damage.Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, has stated that space tourism is not permissible as it involves unnecessary risk and extravagance. Another Saudi Arabian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Al-Habib Ali Al-Jifri, has expressed the opinion that space tourism violates the sanctity of life and wastes resources that could be better used for the benefit of humanity.

In 2014, a fatwa council in the United Arab Emirates issued a ruling denouncing participation in the Mars One project, after the thousands of applications from Muslims desiring a one-way trip to the RedPlanet. The endeavour, according to the council, would be suicidal and go against Islamic values because it would imperil human life and ruin Gods creation by leaving space debris. Despite this fatwa, the Hope spacecraft was successfully launched to Mars by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency on July 19, 2020. As part of the Mars 2117 project to construct a human settlement on the Red Planet, the orbiter successfully arrived at Mars on February 9, 2021, after completing a Mars orbit insertion maneuver that lasted for around 27 minutes. The UAE is the only Muslim-Arab nation to achieve this, and the sixth nation worldwide (after the US, Russia, China, and India).

The alternative school of thought holds that space travel is permissible if it does not conflict with ones ability to engage in religious practises like fasting, prayer, or the right position of the Qibla. Experts have agreed that Muslims should continue to pray and fast even while they are in space. They have developed a few methods, such as utilising a digital compass or aligning the spacecraft with the position of the Earth, for detecting the direction of the Qibla, the direction Muslims face while praying.

In 2007, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian astronaut, was able to perform Islamic rituals such as prayer and fasting during his time in space. Sheikh Saleh Al Fawzan a Saudi Arabian scholar, has also affirmed the permissibility of prayer and fasting in space, provided that space travel does not violate Islamic principles. Interestingly, the first Arab astronaut, Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman, also performed Islamic rituals such as reading the Quran, praying, and fasting during his space mission in 1985. He described this experience as enhancing his closeness with the Almighty.

Islam encourages individuals to research new things, explore the world, and increase their knowledge. There are numerous verses and hadiths in the Quran and the Sunna (the teachings and customs of the Prophet Muhammad) that exhort Muslims to seek knowledge and wisdom, and use their intellect and reason to explore the signs of Allah in the cosmos. For example, Allah says in the Quran: O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allah] (Quran 55:33).

The human race is encouraged by this verse from the Quranto explore the cosmos beyond the spheres of the heavens and the earth. The verse implies that if we are capable of going beyond these realms, we should do so. It emphasises the necessity of acting within the confines of what is allowed according to Islamic beliefs while simultaneously embracing the quest for scientific and technical development. Allah has given humans the ability and permission to explore and travel to outer space. In another verse, And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed, in that are signs for people who reason (Quran 16:12).

This verse from Surah An-Nahl highlights Allahscreationandcontrol of the entire universe, including all of its elements, such as the stars, sun, and moon. It emphasises the vastness and intricacy of the universe, urging humansto explore and appreciate its wonders. The verse also underlines the significance of using our reasoning and reflective abilities to obtain a better knowledge of the universe and its signs. Space exploration allows us to observe and comprehend these signs in greater depth.

Islamic scholars consider various factors when issuing a ruling on space exploration. The intent of the journey comes first, followed by a consideration of the advantages and disadvantages for the individual. The third is to follow Islamic practisesin outer space, and the fourth is to respect Allahs creation and his manifestations.

With certain challenges, space exploration can provide significant advantages for Islamicnations, which have a long history of astronomical contributions. One advantage of space exploration for Muslim countries is that it can boost their scientific and technological skills. Many Muslim countries have developedspace programmes to launch satellites, rockets, or astronauts into orbit.These programmes can assist Islamiccountries in developing their infrastructure, education, innovation, and economies. Egypts satellites, for instance, are anticipated to support the expansion of the Suez Canal axis and keep an eye on Egypts water security.Investments in space technology and research can benefit Muslim nations in many ways, including economic diversification andjob creation as demonstrated by Saudi Arabias plan to boost its space programmes by $2 billion by 2030.

The ability to foster global cooperation and dialogueamongst different nations and religions is another advantage of space exploration. Islamic nations can promote mutual understanding, respect, and trust by working together with other nations on space initiatives. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian astronaut who visited the International Space Station in 2007 with Russian assistance, also carried out experiments on boardwith astronauts from the United States, Japan, and Germany. The first Muslim nation to deploy a lunar rover, Turkey, also revealed plans to work with SpaceX to launch its first moon mission in 2023. NASA believes that international cooperation in space canlower expenses, boost productivity, and improve safety.

However, Muslim nations also have several difficulties, the most fundamental of which relates to Islamic practises and laws. For instance, many Muslims face Mecca when they pray, yet while a spacecraft is orbiting Earth at 17,400 miles per hour, Mecca passes rapidly below the spaceship. Similarly, Muslims fast during Ramadan from dawn until dark; however, there are 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets per day in space. Therefore, Muslim countries need to consult with Islamic scholars and authorities to find solutions and guidelines for these issues. For instance, some Islamic scholars have suggested performing prayers facing Earth or in the last known direction of Mecca and fasting according to the local time at the launch site.

Geopolitical and security concerns also exist, as other countries may perceive their actions as dangerous or confrontational. The US has denounced Irans satellite launches, calling them a breach of UN resolutions and a cover for ballistic missile development. Israel has also accused Egypts space programme of being a spy operation. Security threats from hostile actors could potentially come from their ability to interfere with or sabotage space assets. Furthermore, scientific and technological barriers because many countries lack the necessary resources, expertise, and infrastructure. Technical issues and financial limitations have caused delays and setbacks in Pakistans space programme.

To address these complex issues, it is crucial for Muslim countries to consult with Islamic scholars, legal experts, and international partners. The development of a robust and sustainable space programme can offer numerous benefits to Muslim countries, and Islamic rulings must be considered a source of motivation to explore the cosmos. By witnessing the wonders and mysteries of Allahs creation in space, Muslims can increase their faith and gratitude to Him. Space exploration can also inspire spiritual enlightenment among Muslims.

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The Final Frontier for the Faithful: Islamic Rulings on Space - E-International Relations

If you use Twitter, you're no doubt aware of the changes the social media platform has seen in recent months.

Ever since SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought Twitter last year, it's been a bit of a circus. Users were threatening to leave Twitter even before the sale was finalized, and some have argued that recent changes have emboldened bad behavior on the platform (opens in new tab). With Musk's recent announcement (opens in new tab) that NBC and Comcast veteran Linda Yaccarino (opens in new tab) was taking over as Twitter CEO, there is hope for a change in direction for the platform after several months of turmoil.

Nonetheless, there has been a documented upsurge in misinformation spreading through Twitter, including anti-vaccine (opens in new tab) and anti-climate change (opens in new tab) denialism, not to mention the influx of racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ harassment (opens in new tab). This behavior has helped accelerated a growing "Twitter migration" to other platforms due to what many see as systemic issues with the platform as it exists today.

Former NASA astronaut Jos Hernndez, who can be found on Twitter at @astro_jose (opens in new tab) , is struggling with these issues along with everyone else. As a notable science communicator on the social media site, his decision whether or not to keep using Twitter (along with those of many other science communicators on the platform) represents a major inflection point in the battle for public science education online and whether our online spaces will be overrun with misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories in place of science as we know it today.

Fortunately for science communication, Hernndez isn't going anywhere.

Related: Space scientists and astronauts launch to other platforms amid Twitter turmoil

"I see [Twitter] as a good tool to disseminate information, especially to communities or sectors of our community where perhaps they don't go out of their way to learn about science," Hernndez told Space.com. "This is sort of a good primer for them, such that they see it and they're interested, and that they can take a deeper dive, utilizing other sources."

Last year's launch of Artemis 1 and the Orion spacecraft is a perfect case in point, Hernndez said.

"You see me post about it because I want to make people aware that, 'Hey, we're going back to the moon,'" he said. "We're not only going to go back to the moon, but we're going to take men and women and people of color are going to step on the moon. It's not just going to be Caucasian males doing it; it's going to be a diverse set of astronauts doing that."

The splashdown of the Orion spacecraft, as well as SpaceX's various rocket launches, are exactly the kind of events that make for viral social media content. Thanks to SpaceX regularly livestreaming its launches and maintaining an active social media presence, events such as booster landings, payload deployments and sometimes even spectacular explosions on a launchpad all make their way onto Twitter, where they are widely shared, often starting with Musk himself.

The irony that Musk, who is arguably more responsible for revitalizing American spaceflight than anyone else in the past 20 years, is also the same man opening the disinformation floodgates is not lost on Hernndez, who made history as the first person to use the Spanish language in space (opens in new tab), which he tweeted from orbit during the STS-128 space shuttle mission (opens in new tab) in 2009.

"You've got to separate Elon Musk, the individual who has the vision for SpaceX, from Elon Musk, the individual who has his political views," Hernndez said. "I love the Elon Musk that is running SpaceX and has that vision. I think he's a brilliant man, but I do not appreciate the Elon Musk with the political views that he has doing what he's doing with Twitter. It's almost as if, you know, it's a superpower gone bad."

The issue of politics and speech on Twitter isn't new by any means.

Twitter's "breakout" moment, after all, was the 2009 popular uprising in Iran that many at the time called the "Twitter revolution" following contested elections in that country. Social media's role in the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 after 30 years of authoritarian rule and the Arab Spring uprisings at that time are all intertwined with the growth of Twitter's platform during those years.

But with the contentious U.S. elections of 2016 and 2020 especially, the role of social media and misinformation in politics and election results makes the subject especially fraught right now something that Musk has accelerated with many of his early actions as Twitter's CEO.

Hernndez, who has been an active Twitter user for more than a decade, recoiled along with many other verified figures on the platform when Musk's paid verification scheme was first announced. But Hernndez was even more concerned about the rollback of regulation around hate speech and misinformation, as well as the reinstatement of banned accounts, including that of former President Donald Trump, who was suspended after tweeting through the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol in a manner many consider to be incitement.

"My concern was that Elon Musk is claiming a first-amendment, freedom-of-speech justification" for account reinstatements and loosening of moderation, Hernndez said, "and doing a poll on whether he should let Trump back in or not you don't make decisions like that. You need to be able to control the content of your platform that you own. You got to have some principles and assure that whatever is posted is real; it's factual."

Twitter is a private company, so it and Musk, by extension is free to publish whatever it likes and ban or reinstate whomever it wants to, as long as those actions stay on the right side of the law.

Nonetheless, his controversial moves have put many in the space community in an awkward spot. After all, as SpaceX CEO, Musk has played an undeniable role in advancing spaceflight and space exploration.

"With respect to space, you know, my respect to him," Hernndez said. "He's a genius, and I appreciate what he's done in pushing NASA and sort of pushing other companies to follow along and manage to bring space travel back into the mainstream. But with his other activities, you know, I strongly disagree with how he positions himself. But this is a free country, and as long as he's not doing anything illegal, yeah, I assume he's allowed to do it and doesn't mean I have to like it. It also doesn't mean I have to stay on this platform."

Between the reinstatement of previously banned accounts and the reported uptick in hate speech on the platform, many academics in the science and space communities questioned whether they should stick around on Twitter or head for Mastodon and other platforms. Hernndez has wrestled with this challenge publicly on Twitter. But there's no denying that Twitter's massive user base provides an important platform for science communicators.

"I think others have expressed concern, but it's what I would call passive concern," Hernndez said of the space and broader science community leaving Twitter. "I think that what they're saying to themselves is, 'You know, maybe Twitter isn't the right forum for what I want to accomplish. You know, maybe I should go to LinkedIn and do my postings there, or some other forum.'"

But those platforms don't quite match up to Twitter in some aspects. "There's less of an audience for you for the information that you want to put out, and there's less of a chance that you might spark the imagination of a young kid who reads her tweet that will then say, 'Hey, maybe I should look at [a] science or STEM career given what I'm reading astronaut Jos Hernndez posting," Hernndez said.

"We end up losing those opportunities, and those are the cases where I say, 'We're doing a disservice to society by leaving,'" he added. "But then again, we're also very wary of what happens if we stay. What's going to happen to the platform, and are we going to be drowned out?"

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Twitter is still vital for the space community. A former NASA astronaut ... - Space.com

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)

CNLs expertise in materials sciences, radiobiology and post-irradiation analysis will be utilized to produce strong, lightweight nanomaterials to enable safer space travel

CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canadas premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contribution agreement with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to develop and test novel, multi-purpose materials that have the potential to improve the safety and viability of long-term space travel. Funded through the CSAs Space Technology Development Program (STDP) [22STDPQ08], the $1 million project will contribute to Canadas ongoing efforts to enable space exploration, by advancing the development of materials that can withstand the extreme conditions in space, while safely shielding spacecraft personnel and equipment.

Outer space is an incredibly hazardous environment, which necessitates the use of materials that are not only lightweight but that can also endure harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures, while providing radiation shielding and excellent mechanical properties. In recent years, CNL has been conducting research on nanocomposite materials in radiation environments in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada. The STDP initiative aims to explore novel approaches to enhance the characteristics of such nanomaterials, making them suitable for space applications.

This project requires expertise across many different disciplines, including materials sciences, radioactive materials management, post-irradiation analysis, and radiobiology, and CNL is one of the only places in Canada that has the resources to conduct this research, commented Dr. Jeff Griffin, CNLs Vice-President of Science and Technology. We have a multidisciplinary team of experts and the necessary equipment and facilities ready to design and test these materials, and to assess their functionality, durability and performance in these types of extreme environments. Overall, its an incredibly exciting project, knowing that our work could help protect Canadian astronauts and play a role in future space missions.

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The nanotube materials proposed for investigation comprise low-mass elements that satisfy the weight constraints for space expeditions, in conjunction with tactical elements and configurations that mitigate the impact of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE), which are two primary sources of radiation in space, along with secondary radiation generated by the interaction of these radiation sources with materials present in spacecraft, such as neutrons and gamma-rays. The novel materials are also anticipated to possess unique electromagnetic characteristics that could potentially serve as a safeguard for electronic equipment installed on board the ship. Overall, the project will see CNL perform modelling to optimize such nanomaterials for their various shielding performances, as well as extensive and rigorous testing of their properties before and after irradiation, and finally, the experimental determination of their shielding efficiencies.

"The goal of this project is to develop materials not only with radiation shielding properties but also with good mechanical strength, oxidation resistance, thermal stability at high temperatures, and, of course, low weight. When all of these features are combined, these materials are ideal for enabling safer and more efficient space exploration," said Zahra Yamani, a research scientist in CNL's Applied Physics section. "We will employ a systematic approach that combines modelling and experimentation to investigate their applicability.

The project comes as public interest in space travel continues to grow here in Canada, and as the country increasingly participates in international collaborations to advance space exploration. Among other projects, Canada is developing an autonomous robotic system, known as Canadarm3, which will be used to maintain NASAs Lunar Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit. It was also just announced that CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be one of four astronauts who are poised to fly around the moon next year as part of the NASA-led Artemis program, an international collaboration that is designed to send humans farther into space than ever before, including distant destinations like Mars. This growing momentum and interest in space exploration signals good news for CNL, who has seen its work increasingly being used to support research related to space travel.

That work includes a project within CNLs New Technology Initiatives Funding (NTIF)program that examined the systematic effects of gamma, proton and neutron radiation on the physical properties of nanotube materials, and which would go on to serve as the basis for CNLs application to the CSA for STDP funding. It also encompasses a number of activities carried out on behalf of the CSA, such as a recent project funded through Atomic Energy of Canada Limiteds (AECL) Federal Nuclear Science & Technology (FNST) Work Plan, which qualified the health risks for astronauts associated with deep space radiation exposure. Other projects include the development of a novel neutron detector to help quantify the neutron dose astronauts will receive in space, and the creation of a novel methodology for mission planning around extreme solar particle events, which are of particular concern for acute radiation sickness for crew in deep space. And many other CNL projects, such as work to help advance the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), which have the potential to provide safe and reliable power to space shuttles or planetary installations, could have long-term applications to Canadas space program.

To learn more about the CSAs Space Technology Development Program, please visit https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/funding-programs/programs/stdp/. For more information on CNL, including its work in materials sciences and radiobiology, please visit http://www.cnl.ca.

About CNL

As Canadas premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, please visit http://www.cnl.ca.

CNL Contact:Patrick QuinnDirector, Corporate Communications1-866-886-2325

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CNL Aims to Better Protect Canadian Astronauts Through New Project Funded by the Canadian Space Agency - Yahoo Finance

The first commercial space station in the world will be launched by SpaceX as early as 2025, with the aim of creating a complex of several modules.

According to SpaceX, the Vast Haven-1 space station will launch into low Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket as early as August 2025. It will perform the duties of a stand-alone space station with crew, and in the future will be connected to a larger Vast space station.

Vast, a company established in 2021, intends to someday create a 100-meter-long multi-module rotating artificial gravity space station.

A commercial rocket launching a commercial spacecraft with commercial astronauts to a commercial space station is the future of low-Earth orbit, and with Vast were taking another step toward making that future a reality, Tom Ochinero, the senior vice president of commercial business at SpaceX, said in statement.

The SpaceX team couldnt be more excited to launch Vasts Haven-1 and support their follow-on human spaceflight missions to the orbiting commercial space station.

Two human spaceflight trips to the space station will be launched by SpaceX after the launch. While orbiting Earth, the first mission will dock with Haven-1 for up to 30 days. Haven-1 will provide opportunities for science and research, as well as amenities such as a large window dome for viewing and photography and always-on internet via on-board Wi-Fi

Up to four crewed seats on that first mission will be made available by Vast to domestic and international space agencies and private individuals involved in science and philanthropic projects. The price was not immediately made public, although those seats can be reserved online.

SpaceX has been transporting people into space for several years, including transporting civilians in 2021 and working with NASA this year to transport four astronauts to the International Space Station.

In addition to these missions, there are a number of companies looking at the future of space tourism, such as the French space company that plans to send tourists into the stratosphere in 2025, with six-hour rides starting at about $132,000 per person; and Space Perspective, which plans to take tourists to the stars in a carbon-neutral spherical capsule with 360-degree views by 2024.

When Orbital Assemblys Voyager station finally opens, visitors who want to stay a little longer may soon have the opportunity to stay overnight.

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SpaceX Announces Seat Reservations For Space Station Travel - Traveling Lifestyle

UNITED STATES. Florida: In a groundbreaking step towards the future of space exploration, Axiom Space is ready to launch its second private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 21. This mission carries immense significance as it aims to further the plans for the first commercial space station while the ISS enters its final leg of service.

The four-person Axiom-2 crew, consisting of Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will play pivotal roles in implementing a full range of scientific, outreach, and commercial activities during their time aboard the orbiting laboratory.

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Axiom Spaces Director of Human Spaceflight, Commander Peggy Whitson, is no stranger to the realm of space exploration. As a former NASA astronaut and ISS commander, she brings a wealth of experience to the mission.

Having undertaken three long-duration space flights, Whitson has amassed an astonishing 665 days in space, surpassing the record of any other American astronaut or female astronaut worldwide. Her expertise and leadership will undoubtedly be instrumental in ensuring the success of Axiom-2.

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Joining Whitson is Pilot John Shoffner, a prominent figure in the field of STEM advocacy. Shoffner has been at the forefront of the fiber optic telecommunications industry since its nascent stages, and he now seeks to raise awareness about the new era of space access.

Shoffner aims to foster public interest and understanding of space exploration through scientific research, technology demonstrations, and various outreach and educational events.

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The Axiom-2 crew will also include Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alqarni, a seasoned fighter pilot with over 2,387 flight hours, brings a wealth of aviation experience to the mission.

Meanwhile, Barnawi, a highly accomplished biomedical researcher with nearly a decade of specialization in cancer stem-cell research, will focus her attention on stem cell and breast cancer research during the Ax-2 mission. Their expertise will contribute significantly to advancing scientific understanding in these critical areas.

With the go-ahead from NASA, Axiom Space is now prepared for the launch of its second mission after successfully completing the Flight Readiness Review. The collaborative efforts of Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX have ensured a thorough evaluation of launch readiness and the ability to conduct on-orbit flight operations safely.

This mission is particularly significant because it is the first private mission that a female astronaut has led. Axiom Spaces commitment to diversity and inclusivity in space exploration is evident in the composition of the crew.

The historic nature of this mission emphasizes the progress made in breaking down barriers and fostering equal opportunities in space exploration.

As the crew eagerly awaits launch day, they are undergoing quarantine measures to guarantee their well-being and prevent introducing harmful pathogens to the ISS.

On Sunday at 5:37 PM EDT, the Axiom-2 crew is set to launch aboard a Falcon-9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. On May 22, the crews Dragon spacecraft, appropriately namedFreedom,will dock with the International Space Station to start their arduous voyage.

The Axiom-2 mission represents a significant milestone in commercial space travel and highlights the growing influence of private companies in shaping the future of human presence in space. With their unique skills, diverse backgrounds, and unwavering determination, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi are poised to make history and further propel humanitys journey beyond the confines of Earth.

Also Read: NASA Set to Unveil Partner for Lunar Lander Development in Historic Artemis Moon Mission

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Axiom-2 Mission Set to Launch with Diverse Crew of Private ... - Transcontinental Times

Linda Lange and Steve Ahillen| Special to the Knoxville News Sentinel

CARLSBAD, N.M. Alligators. An astrochimp. Space aliens. A horse thief. Geronimo.

We stumbled upon many surprises while visiting southern New Mexico. Call it serendipity.

Beauty was the one constant. Candle-straight highways transported us across untamed deserts. Twisting, curving two-lanes lifted us into the Sacramento Mountains.

After landing at our gateway airport, El Paso, Texas, our stay in the city was brief. We allowed time to visit the historic downtown. Our first surprise was finding sculpted alligators in a fountain at San Jacinto Plaza. Real gators lived in the pond for 80 years and became part of El Pasos cultural identity. The reptiles moved to the El Paso Zoo in 1965, and now the Los Lagartos sculpture by local artist Luis A. Jimenez Jr. honors their place in the citys folklore.

The El Paso Museum of Art highlights the work of regional artists and serves as a cultural hub for West Texas, New Mexico and Northern Mexico. It attracts nearly 100,000 visitors a year. Nearby, the vibrant El Centro district has items for sale in open-air storefronts. The noisy streets stretch toward the Rio Grande, the river separating El Paso from Ciudad Jurez, Mexico.

We left behind the colorful commotion of El Paso and entered into near-nothingness when we crossed into New Mexico. This seemingly endless desert was reminiscent of a moon landscape. Here, rockets that shaped the early U.S. Space Program trace back to the White Sands Missile Range, a U.S. Army military testing area and firing range.

We stood on the moon at the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo. The center highlights rocketry experiments that contributed to space exploration. A planetarium and the International Space Hall of Fame are part of the complex. Space junkies will appreciate the artifacts, such as an authentic moon rock, on display inside the museum, and in its outdoor exhibit area. By the flagpole, we paused at the gravesite of Ham, the chimpanzee launched into space in 1961. The astrochimp paved the way for Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into space.

We entered a surreal world of whiteness at White Sands National Park. Winds buffet the shimmering dunes that stretch to the horizon, a brilliance that is visible from the International Space Station. The national parks nearly 148,000 acres protect a portion of the worlds largest gypsum dune field.

Travel to Texas: Discover the rugged beauty of Big Bend National Parks mountains and desert

Many visitors carry snow saucers to the top of dunes for sledding adventures, and others hike the five established trails. The Alkali Flat Trail draws the most attention. With a length of more than four miles, including trudging up and down numerous dunes, it is rated as a moderately challenging route. The views of dunes and the shadows they cast stretching in all directions make the hike worth the effort. By contrast, the Interdune Boardwalk is less than one-half mile, all on an elevated, planked walkway from which creatures of the sand, such as lizards and snakes, are often spotted.

We ascended from the desert of the Tularosa Basin and drove into the Sacramento Mountains, expecting a day of hiking in the fragrant pinyon-juniper forests.

Instead, we encountered snowfall.

Cloudcroft, a village of about 800 people at an elevation of 8,650 feet, keeps an Old West vibe, with saloons and other businesses on Burro Avenue. We left for the resort village of Ruidoso by driving Route 244 through the mountains and ranchland of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. The road winds through Elk Springs. To our astonishment, a herd of elk leaped over a roadside fence and disappeared into a stand of snow-laden trees.

Ruidoso lies in the Smokey Bear District of Lincoln National Forest. As the name suggests, the partially burned bear cub was rescued from a forest fire in 1950 in the adjacent Capitan Mountains. Smokey Bear became the symbol of wildfire prevention and wildlife conservation. Outlaw Billy the Kid (Henry McCarty) hid in these mountains. The gunslinging horse thief was killed at the age of 21, but lives on in movies and western lore.

Closer to home: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a gem. Here's everything to know for your visit

The Sacramento Mountains dominated the scenery as we meandered through deep forest and passed horse farms and orchards. A sign at a fruit stand read Self serve. Be honest. As we proceeded into the Hondo Valley via U.S. Highway 70, we were once again in a desert landscape of cactus, yucca and rabbitbrush.

People from all over the world come to Roswell to experience the International UFO Museum and Research Center. The sensational attraction satisfies any visitors extraterrestrial hunger. Exhibits describe numerous alien sightings, including the famed Roswell Incident of 1947. A rancher found unusual debris scattered across his property. At first, the U.S. military claimed it had recovered parts of a flying disk at a crash site, but almost immediately retracted the statement.

Residents of Roswell embrace the space alien culture. Gift shops around the museum sell all manner of futuristic and bizarre space travel souvenirs. Advertisements and window displays incorporate UFO imagery. A Mexican restaurant depicts a space creature wearing a sombrero, and a barber shop shows very unearthly clientele. Even the McDonalds restaurant caters to space aliens; silver extraterrestrial statues stand at its entrance.

We followed the Pecos River southward and arrived in Carlsbad, a city of nearly 32,000, founded in 1888. A 3.5-mile walking path along the shady riverbanks connects parks, picnic pavilions, beach areas and marinas. On a mountain above the city, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park combines a mile-plus walk through a botanical garden of Chihuahuan Desert plants, with visits to habitats featuring indigenous creatures like the javelina, buffalo, mountain lion and American bald eagle.

Carlsbad is the launching point to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains national parks.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the nations most spectacular natural wonders. Visitors can walk into the cave through a natural entrance or descend 750 feet by elevator. We reached the Big Room, an 8.3-acre space with ceilings as high as 200 feet. Golden light illuminates massive stalactites, stalagmites, great curtains, soda straws and mushroom-shaped rocks. Rangers guide tours to the Kings Palace, the deepest chambers open to the public. Here, an eerie silence enveloped us as we gazed at formations dating back 500,000 years.

Our journey continued to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, about 35 miles southwest of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. By pure happenstance, we found Geronimo.

These limestone mountains in the Chihuahuan Desert are the sacred home of the Apache people. The native hunters served as guides when Spanish explorers arrived in the mid-1500s. From the Spanish, the Apache men acquired horses and expanded their hunting range for hundreds of miles.

Relations with outsiders deteriorated over the centuries, leading to violent raids and reprisals. In 1849, the U.S. Army began a 30-year campaign to oust the Apache people. Tribal leaders and warriors, including the fearless Geronimo, fought fiercely into the 1880s to maintain a hold on their heartland.

The Mescalero Apache continue to live in parts of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, and their cultural ties remain strong and meshed with Spanish influences. The massive pinnacle, El Capitan, was a landmark for the early Apache. Later, Spanish explorers visualized the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe on the face of the peak and regarded it as a pilgrimage site.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park holds the four highest peaks in Texas, including imposing Guadalupe Peak. At 8,751 feet, it is the highest natural point in Texas. The iconic El Capitan rises to 8,085 feet. Nearby, the Pine Springs Visitor Center offers several trailheads, including a short trail to the stone and timber remnants of the Pinery Station. The Butterfield Overland Mail operated Pinery Station beginning in 1858. Drivers used El Capitan as a geographical marker to reach Pinery Station.

To get an idea of life for settlers in this rugged country, we visited Frijole Ranch. Set near Manzanita Spring, the ranch house was built in 1876. Over the next decades, the house and additional outbuildings served as a cattle ranch, community center, school and post office. The one-half-mile Manzanita Spring Trail brought us to a small pond surrounded by grasses and Texas madrone trees.

Spring-fed streams also nourish the vegetation along the McKittrick Canyon Trail. The 6.8-mile, out-and- back trail courses through a narrow limestone canyon thick with deciduous trees, such as oaks, Texas walnut, bigtooth maple and velvet ash. This trail contrasts greatly to the desert trails where cholla, cactus, agave and sotol grow.

Linda Lange and Steve Ahillen are travel writers living in Knoxville, Tenn.

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New Mexico has surreal sand dunes, snowy mountains, space alien ... - Knoxville News Sentinel

May 16, 2023 By Carter Sand, Hutch Siegen, and Grace Stumpf, contributing authors

This article was written by students from iLEAD Schools, a network of charter schools in California. Through a partnership between iLEAD Schools and Space Station Explorers partner program DreamUp (an educational spinoff company from ISS National Lab Commercial Service Provider Nanoracks), iLEAD students design experiments that are launched to space to be done onboard the ISS.

Space Station Explorers is a community of educators, learners, and organizations that leverage the unique platform of the ISS National Lab to provide valuable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational experiences. To learn more about DreamUp and other Space Station Explorers partner programs, visit http://www.ISSNationalLab.org/STEM.

The DreamUp to Space Design Challenge is a program run at iLEAD California Charter Schools that offers learners the opportunity to author and conduct a science experiment to be run on the International Space Station (ISS). Learners gain an understanding of the ISS, microgravity, and scientific experimentation and then write proposals for experiments that are reviewed by aerospace experts. We are a group of middle and high school learners that proposed exploring the effects of microgravity on the germination of Yucca glauca seeds, and our proposal was selected from more than 50 submissions!

We chose Yucca glauca (a type of plant with long, narrow leaves) because it can be used in a variety of ways, including making soap from its roots, creating textiles with its leaves, and using it for other medicinal benefitsall possibly valuable for future space travel. After being selected, principal investigators Grace Stumpf and Carter Sand then interviewed and chose six other learners to join Team Yucca Glauca to tackle the challenging work of experiment optimization in preparation for flight.

Preparing Research for Space

Experiment optimization is the process of running simulated experiments on Earth to determine the ideal quantities and configuration of experiment materials. In our case, this included seeds, water, and formalin (a fixative), as our experiment had to start and stop in microgravity. We ran many, many trials during this process.

Our first trial targeted identifying the substrate, which is the medium for seed germination. The substrate is vital in supporting optimal seed germination. We tried paper towels, coffee filters, and EVA foam (which has many uses, for example, in hydroponics or as flooring for a gym). We also had to consider how the germinated roots might interact with the different substrates, which would impact our analysis post flight. After running trials, we concluded that the EVA foam was the best substrate candidate due to its firmness and ability to absorb water while holding its shape. We made small boats out of the EVA foam that fit into the Mixstix, a tube-like hardware used by some microgravity scientists. The design of the boat secured the seeds in place during their flight, unlike other substrates we tested, as small slits were cut into the boat to which seeds were inserted using tweezers.

We next moved to trials that focused on the most effective seed-to-water ratio and finally developed our Mixstix setup: two boats, containing two seeds in one chamber, with two milliliters of water and one milliliter of formalin in the other two chambers (see photo). Once we finalized our experiment setup, we were a go for launch!

Our space and Earth (control) samples were loaded in the science lab at Santa Clarita Valley International Charter School in Castaic, California, and then shipped to Nanoracks for payload integration. Some of our team members traveled to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch our experiment launch and to present our science poster to guests who were visiting the center. It was an experience we will never forget!

Learning and Growing

Once our Mixstix returned to Earth, we traveled to Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Moss Landing, California, to unload them. We were hosted by Kenton Parker, Elkhorn Slough Reserve director of education (retired), and Peggy Foletta, Elkhorn Slough Reserve education specialist and GLOBE Program master trainer. There, we worked with scientists who supported an amazing educational experience for us. Our team used microscopes to view our samples and explore the cell structure of roots. Unfortunately, our experiment experienced challenges that yielded inconclusive data.

However, we learned that even inconclusive or no data also offers the chance to ask more questions to try and figure out what did not work as we expected. This has led us to do even more experiment trials so we can understand how to set up future experiments using Mixsitx for success. In fact, four of our Team Yucca Glauca members are now serving as iLEAD DreamUp to Space interns to support the next five student experiments that are targeted to launch in December 2023!

Through this program, we have grown individually and as a teamwe have developed as communicators, public speakers, researchers, and problem-solvers, which all require perseverance, leadership, and teamwork. One of the amazing opportunities our team was given was presenting at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Conference in 2022. Our experiences will help us throughout the rest of our academic and professional careers, and it is an honor to take these experiences and accomplishments with us into the rest of our lives.

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To Space and Back: Students Conduct Plant Science Research on ... - ISS National Lab

In a step away from the traditional Wall-E-shaped robots that have been sent to other planets, NASA is planning to send robots resembling snakes to explore the moons of Saturn.

These serpentine robots, named EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor), are being tested by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a potential explorer of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus.

"It has the capability to go to locations where other robots can't go. Though some robots are better at one particular type of terrain or other, the idea for EELS is the ability to do it all," said JPL's Matthew Robinson, EELS project manager, in a statement.

"When you're going places where you don't know what you'll find, you want to send a versatile, risk-aware robot that's prepared for uncertaintyand can make decisions on its own," Robinson continued

Enceladus is the sixth-largest moon of Saturn, and is comprised of an icy crust over a freezing-cold ocean of liquid water.

Despite these seemingly inhospitable conditions, data gathered by NASA's 2005 Cassini mission found that huge amounts of water and gas spurt out of the planet's surface at immense speedsaround 800 miles per hoursending plumes of its innards into space.

When Cassini analyzed the contents of the geyser-like ejections, it found that they contained silica nanograins, which are only present in places where liquid water and rock interact at temperatures above 90 degrees Centigrade (194 degrees Fahrenheit).

These findings show that below its frigid crust, Enceladus might be bubbling with geothermal activity. This makes the moon a prime candidate for the search for extraterrestrial life, as hydrothermal vents have proved to be a hotspot for strange forms of extreme life on Earth.

It is hoped that an EELS will be a good candidate to explore Enceladus due to its ability to navigate all kinds of terrain, including deep crevasses and underground oceans.

The 220-pound, 13-foot-long robots are also able to move around without human input, which is essential since Saturn and its moon are just under 1.5 light-hours away from Eartha light-hour is how far light travels in one hour.

Any signal from the robot will take an hour and a half to reach Earth, with our response taking the same length of time to return.

NASA engineers have therefore designed the EELS to be able to sense its own environment using cameras and lidara form of laser-based sonar that builds up 3D maps of an environmentand travel according to the risks it has determined, gathering data about the moon as it goes.

"Imagine a car driving autonomously, but there are no stop signs, no traffic signals, not even any roads. The robot has to figure out what the road is and try to follow it," the project's autonomy lead, Rohan Thakker, said in the statement. "Then it needs to go down a 100-foot drop and not fall."

Testing of the EELS has been taking place at NASA for the past few yearsthe first prototype was built in 2019. Scientists took the burgeoning robot technology to Athabasca Glacier in the Canadian Rockies as a proxy for the environment on Enceladus' surface.

They also tested the robots in sandy environments and on an ice rink. The final form is hoped to have 48 tiny motors to allow for finely tuned maneuvering, allowing the EELS to move up rocky and icy surfaces.

The scientific instruments that EELS will be equipped with have not yet been determined, however, as these strangely serpentine robots are a long way from being sent up into space.

"Our focus so far has been on autonomous capability and mobility, but eventually we'll look at what science instruments we can integrate with EELS," Robinson said. "Scientists tell us where they want to go, what they're most excited about, and we'll provide a robot that will get them there. How? Like a startup, we just have to build it."

It is hoped that EELS will be ready to fly into space by the end of 2024, however, there will still be another 12 years of space travel before it reaches Saturn and its moons, around 920 million miles away.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about NASA robots? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.

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NASA Tests Robot Snakes to Send to Other Planets - Newsweek

No other film explores the questions of life's existence and the evolution of humankind quite like 2001: A Space Odyssey. Portraying the past, present, and future of life in every sense of the word from the perspective of the 1960s, Stanley Kubrick's iconic feature naturally explores the rise of technology and includes one of the most impactful and unsettling portrayals of artificial intelligence in film history. This particular A.I., called HAL (voiced by Douglas Rain), is complex and threatening, not only because of its harmful behavior and actions in the film but also because of how this threat still endures to this day. With a lot of people's lives being affected by the quick and recent rise of A.I., the HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey hits closer to home than ever before.

RELATED: The Cosmic Horror of '2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey follows life throughout millions of years, from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Throughout the film, a black monolith appears to seemingly cause or represent a significant point in evolution, whether it be the discovery of weapons or the beginning of space travel. The film moves coherently between different sequences, with the most notable being that of the space mission of Discovery One, a ship of five astronauts set to carry out an undisclosed mission regarding the planet Jupiter. Assisting the astronaut scientists is a sixth member of the crew: the HAL 9000, standing for a "heuristically-programmed algorithmic computer." HAL is an A.I. computer with no physical body, but rather represented by an unwavering, watchful red light emitting from camera lenses placed around the ship.

Despite having no physical form, the computer is programmed to have a personality and can carry out most abilities of the human brain, but he can allegedly carry out these tasks faster and with more accuracy. Throughout his appearance in the film, HAL has regular discussions with the only two astronauts not in suspended animation, David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood). He is even interviewed for a news story, describing his function as "foolproof and incapable of error," which Bowman and Poole learn the hard way is not the case. Even when Bowman is asked by the interviewer whether HAL can actually feel anything, he answers that he acts like he can because he is programmed to do so. However, there is no certainty in if HAL experiences real emotion.

The first hint of havoc arises when HAL questions Discovery One's journey to Jupiter, saying that he notices oddities about their mission. During this conversation, the computer picks up an error in their system, stating that the men have 72 hours to fix the problem before the ship fails. Once Bowman and Poole find no issue with the ship's functions, the scientists begin to question the true accuracy of the HAL 9000 technology. What makes this idea so anxiety-inducing is the fact that HAL is in control of all of Discovery One's major functions. This means that the lives of the five scientists are all in the metaphorical hands of HAL, whether he correctly carries out his duties or not. Mission Control then confirms via a transmission that the A.I. is at fault, while HAL denies this and attributes the mistake to human error.

From here, things only get worse. Bowman and Poole attempt to have a private conversation away from HAL about the potential of disconnecting him, but he can read their lips and foil their plan. Once Poole leaves the ship to execute repairs, HAL takes control of one of the ship's pods and disconnects his space suit from its oxygen supply, killing him. Bowman attempts to retrieve his body and returns to the ship, only to be denied re-entry by HAL after the computer kills the three remaining people aboard the ship. After finally making it inside the ship, Bowman disconnects HAL, despite the computer's attempts to stop him with a last-ditch effort of singing "Daisy Bell" in a slow and distorted voice in one of the most haunting scenes in the film. Once the computer is disengaged, the truth behind the mission to Jupiter is finally revealed to Bowman, now the sole survivor of Discovery One.

What helps to make HAL's appearance in the film so effective are the film's artistic choices. Aside from establishing shots, almost every scene in Discovery One is without the classical music present throughout the film. Additionally, any visual of the HAL 9000 is an up-close, fish-eyed look into his red "eye," staring back at the audience, with only static or white noise playing over it. This only emphasizes the fact that the astronauts (and the audience) are alone with HAL 80 million miles away from everyone else. There is no escaping.

This also reminds viewers that HAL is the one in control of everything as it was programmed, watching the men's every move because he was told to do so. Nothing the men say matters because HAL is the one making the decisions, despite whether the talk of his accuracy is true or false. One scene even alludes to the idea that the perfect track record of the HAL 9000 computer series is really a lie when Bowman reminds Poole that no 9000 computer has ever been disconnected. Poole says to this, "No 9000 computer's ever fouled up before," to which Bowman responds with, "That's not what I mean." With this, Bowman most likely refers to the idea that no 9000 computer has ever let itself be disconnected, planting the seed for the computer's deadly impact on the people aboard the ship. However, this would also imply that the creators of the HAL series, as well as those who employ them, have knowledge of the malfunctions and continue to put the lives of people in A.I.'s hands anyway. HAL did not need a physical form to be the tragic events' driving force.

There is also the portrayal of HAL's emotions. He initially questions the mission, seemingly out of panic. He also emotes a form of fear when he learns that the scientists may resort to disconnecting him, leading him to potentially act out for his own survival. However, there is also the fact that HAL wanted the ship to fail to find out what was causing the malfunction, without realizing that allowing the ship to fail would put everyone's lives at risk. The use of both sides plays at the viewers' own emotions and makes them question the emotional capabilities of HAL, as well as the morality of disconnecting/killing him.

In a film that is notoriously ambiguous and often confusing, 2001: A Space Odyssey's HAL is so terrifying because of the blurred lines surrounding his intentions, if there were any at all. Rather than painting artificial intelligence as pure evil, the film plays with the boundaries of morality and makes the audience think of HAL as a person and not a form of technology. The A.I. does not plead for his life as Bowman is disconnecting him but rather tries to get him to stop by suggesting he thinks rationally. This then descends into HAL repeatedly telling him "stop," then saying that he "feels" his mind coming undone.

While he is the main antagonist of the film, it is not that simple. The computer's actions and words leave much to the imagination when it comes to his motives. While this is the case in the film, Arthur C. Clarke's book of the same name has some more answers. In the novel, the reason HAL malfunctions and begins to act out of violence is because he was programmed to simultaneously relay accurate information to the crew, and also keep confidential information regarding the mission from them. Similar to asking him to be in two places at once, HAL cannot be true to both of these orders, while a human would be able to either choose one or toe the line between the two by their own autonomy. The A.I. is forced to contradict his programmed functions and is led to commit atrocities rather than disobey the orders programmed into his being.

The film, on the other hand, is not that straightforward. The audience is left to speculate on what led HAL to kill almost every member aboard the ship. There is the possibility that since HAL was programmed to view himself as human, he valued his own life and acted out of self-preservation as any living person being targeted would. It could also be that HAL was aware that the next step in human evolution was on Jupiter, making him resentful of the mission and leading him to sabotage it. This theory has some potential because HAL was the thing standing in the way of the film's ending. If HAL had succeeded in killing Bowman, he would not have made it to Jupiter and been reborn as the next-stage human being. The "Starchild" that Bowman becomes is speculated to be either divine or superhuman and would most likely eliminate the need for artificial intelligence. This could mean that if HAL did have that knowledge, he would have seen the mission of Discovery One as a threat.

There is also the idea that while HAL may speak and talk like a human, his preference and willingness to eliminate every human life on Discovery One to carry out the mission successfully is precisely what makes him inhuman. In HAL's final moments, he states in his monotone voice, "I'm afraid." Does he feel or has he been programmed to only say it? Is he evil or did he simply malfunction? Was he pleading for his life out of emotion or manipulation? Can HAL feel emotion or did he just know all the right things to say? Is he made to be human or a copy of one? Ultimately, these questions are what makes HAL so scary. While he is the villain, the existence of the technology makes viewers think philosophically about how far humankind has gone and whether something like the HAL series can be considered truly human. This alone is emphasized by the disturbing nature of HAL's disconnection, as it is reminiscent of murder. While technology like the HAL 9000 can hold an enormous amount of control, it is those who have the power and create this technology that gives A.I. that much control, and who is also responsible for its outcome.

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HAL 9000 Is the Most Terrifying Movie A.I. - Collider