ToughSF
@toughsf.bsky.social
Matterbeam.
Author of the ToughSF blog. Original SuperNerd.
Ex-Kurzgesagt Duck. Freelance writer.
Discord https://discord.gg/nXvRPcE7uU
Author of the ToughSF blog. Original SuperNerd.
Ex-Kurzgesagt Duck. Freelance writer.
Discord https://discord.gg/nXvRPcE7uU
Titanic trains on Titan:
Colonising this moon might mean resigning oneself to a dark, cold underground lifestyle.
#space #art by Samuele Bandini.
www.artstation.com/artwork/P662r4
Colonising this moon might mean resigning oneself to a dark, cold underground lifestyle.
#space #art by Samuele Bandini.
www.artstation.com/artwork/P662r4
November 25, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Titanic trains on Titan:
Colonising this moon might mean resigning oneself to a dark, cold underground lifestyle.
#space #art by Samuele Bandini.
www.artstation.com/artwork/P662r4
Colonising this moon might mean resigning oneself to a dark, cold underground lifestyle.
#space #art by Samuele Bandini.
www.artstation.com/artwork/P662r4
Reposted by ToughSF
Now this is cool.
These are among the first images from the newly launched NASA ESCAPADE* mission—showing the port solar array from the Gold twin spacecraft in both visible light and infrared.
*Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers
(1/2)
These are among the first images from the newly launched NASA ESCAPADE* mission—showing the port solar array from the Gold twin spacecraft in both visible light and infrared.
*Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers
(1/2)
November 25, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Now this is cool.
These are among the first images from the newly launched NASA ESCAPADE* mission—showing the port solar array from the Gold twin spacecraft in both visible light and infrared.
*Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers
(1/2)
These are among the first images from the newly launched NASA ESCAPADE* mission—showing the port solar array from the Gold twin spacecraft in both visible light and infrared.
*Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers
(1/2)
Caramel?
Caramelans (C24-H36-O18) (460 nm)
Caramelens (C36-H50-O25) (950 nm)
Caramelins (C125-H188-O80) (4333 nm)
Caramelans (C24-H36-O18) (460 nm)
Caramelens (C36-H50-O25) (950 nm)
Caramelins (C125-H188-O80) (4333 nm)
November 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Caramel?
Caramelans (C24-H36-O18) (460 nm)
Caramelens (C36-H50-O25) (950 nm)
Caramelins (C125-H188-O80) (4333 nm)
Caramelans (C24-H36-O18) (460 nm)
Caramelens (C36-H50-O25) (950 nm)
Caramelins (C125-H188-O80) (4333 nm)
We should visit Valhalla.
It's a massive impact crater on Callisto, a 3800 km wide multi-ring structure (the largest in the Solar System) that's been preserved for at least 2 billion of years. It's also evidence that Callisto has had an underground ocean for at least as long.
It's a massive impact crater on Callisto, a 3800 km wide multi-ring structure (the largest in the Solar System) that's been preserved for at least 2 billion of years. It's also evidence that Callisto has had an underground ocean for at least as long.
November 23, 2025 at 12:29 PM
We should visit Valhalla.
It's a massive impact crater on Callisto, a 3800 km wide multi-ring structure (the largest in the Solar System) that's been preserved for at least 2 billion of years. It's also evidence that Callisto has had an underground ocean for at least as long.
It's a massive impact crater on Callisto, a 3800 km wide multi-ring structure (the largest in the Solar System) that's been preserved for at least 2 billion of years. It's also evidence that Callisto has had an underground ocean for at least as long.
V838 Monocerotis was the first luminous red nova we witnessed, caused by two colliding stars including a red supergiant. Here is its light echo spreading and illuminating interstellar gas all around it:
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
esahubble.org/videos/heic0...
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
esahubble.org/videos/heic0...
November 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
V838 Monocerotis was the first luminous red nova we witnessed, caused by two colliding stars including a red supergiant. Here is its light echo spreading and illuminating interstellar gas all around it:
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
esahubble.org/videos/heic0...
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
esahubble.org/videos/heic0...
A recreation of Colin Cantwell's original spacecraft designs for Star Wars: X-wings and a Star Destroyer.
#space #art by Isaiah.
www.artstation.com/artwork/x3VW1R
#space #art by Isaiah.
www.artstation.com/artwork/x3VW1R
November 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
A recreation of Colin Cantwell's original spacecraft designs for Star Wars: X-wings and a Star Destroyer.
#space #art by Isaiah.
www.artstation.com/artwork/x3VW1R
#space #art by Isaiah.
www.artstation.com/artwork/x3VW1R
The MAZ-541 was a 28 ton Soviet aircraft tug. It had a sedan body but 172 cm wheels from the MAZ-525 truck and a 500 horsepower V12 diesel engine from a T-34 tank.
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The MAZ-541 was a 28 ton Soviet aircraft tug. It had a sedan body but 172 cm wheels from the MAZ-525 truck and a 500 horsepower V12 diesel engine from a T-34 tank.
Sea Strike 2043:
youtu.be/Ou9kLr0CZtg
A depiction of a very near future scenario from US NAVWAR involving AI mission analysis, F-35s supported by missile-equipped drones and airborne lasers taking down interceptors.
youtu.be/Ou9kLr0CZtg
A depiction of a very near future scenario from US NAVWAR involving AI mission analysis, F-35s supported by missile-equipped drones and airborne lasers taking down interceptors.
November 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Sea Strike 2043:
youtu.be/Ou9kLr0CZtg
A depiction of a very near future scenario from US NAVWAR involving AI mission analysis, F-35s supported by missile-equipped drones and airborne lasers taking down interceptors.
youtu.be/Ou9kLr0CZtg
A depiction of a very near future scenario from US NAVWAR involving AI mission analysis, F-35s supported by missile-equipped drones and airborne lasers taking down interceptors.
Deep Ocean Sediment ecosystems have at least 3x the species diversity of shallower waters, two-thirds of which are represented by unknown eukaryotes.
This study again underlines just how little we've explored and understood the ocean depths:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
This study again underlines just how little we've explored and understood the ocean depths:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Patterns of eukaryotic diversity from the surface to the deep-ocean sediment
A global analysis of surface to seafloor eukaryotes distinguishes benthic diversity from sinking plankton in deep-sea sediments.
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Deep Ocean Sediment ecosystems have at least 3x the species diversity of shallower waters, two-thirds of which are represented by unknown eukaryotes.
This study again underlines just how little we've explored and understood the ocean depths:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
This study again underlines just how little we've explored and understood the ocean depths:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Incredible covers for the Venus Exploration Analysis Group's roadmap for exploring our geologically most-Earthlike neighbour.
In order:
-Venus' epochs, including a wet early period
-Exploration roadmap
-Probe technologies
#space #art by John Wrbanek.
www.artstation.com/artwork/xzbWDR
In order:
-Venus' epochs, including a wet early period
-Exploration roadmap
-Probe technologies
#space #art by John Wrbanek.
www.artstation.com/artwork/xzbWDR
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Incredible covers for the Venus Exploration Analysis Group's roadmap for exploring our geologically most-Earthlike neighbour.
In order:
-Venus' epochs, including a wet early period
-Exploration roadmap
-Probe technologies
#space #art by John Wrbanek.
www.artstation.com/artwork/xzbWDR
In order:
-Venus' epochs, including a wet early period
-Exploration roadmap
-Probe technologies
#space #art by John Wrbanek.
www.artstation.com/artwork/xzbWDR
From Mimas to Rhea: Saturn has over 30 rings and 274 moons, making it the most complex orbiting system we have around the Sun.
November 21, 2025 at 8:06 AM
From Mimas to Rhea: Saturn has over 30 rings and 274 moons, making it the most complex orbiting system we have around the Sun.
KitePower, an "Onshore Containerised AWES" that spools out a kite in loops to extract wind energy then reels it in to repeat the cycle.
The Falcon provides 250 MWh per year using a 450m tether attached to an 80m^2 kite that flies at 110 km/h:
thekitepower.com/the-falcon/
The Falcon provides 250 MWh per year using a 450m tether attached to an 80m^2 kite that flies at 110 km/h:
thekitepower.com/the-falcon/
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
KitePower, an "Onshore Containerised AWES" that spools out a kite in loops to extract wind energy then reels it in to repeat the cycle.
The Falcon provides 250 MWh per year using a 450m tether attached to an 80m^2 kite that flies at 110 km/h:
thekitepower.com/the-falcon/
The Falcon provides 250 MWh per year using a 450m tether attached to an 80m^2 kite that flies at 110 km/h:
thekitepower.com/the-falcon/
Cross-section art of an iron blast france... from 1935!
www.meisterdrucke.us/fine-art-pri...
www.meisterdrucke.us/fine-art-pri...
November 21, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Cross-section art of an iron blast france... from 1935!
www.meisterdrucke.us/fine-art-pri...
www.meisterdrucke.us/fine-art-pri...
A really cool Space Maneuvering Engineering System concept for maneuvering astronauts on EVAs while providing life support for 8h sorties and integrating robotic arms.
#space #art by Xuan Afyer.
www.artstation.com/artwork/m8R1ya
#space #art by Xuan Afyer.
www.artstation.com/artwork/m8R1ya
November 21, 2025 at 7:53 AM
A really cool Space Maneuvering Engineering System concept for maneuvering astronauts on EVAs while providing life support for 8h sorties and integrating robotic arms.
#space #art by Xuan Afyer.
www.artstation.com/artwork/m8R1ya
#space #art by Xuan Afyer.
www.artstation.com/artwork/m8R1ya
2 nanometer feature size and 5 nanometer half-pitch resolution with electron-beam lithography using 200 keV+ with aberration correction:
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
EB-induced deposition can achieve similar resolution but it's 1000x slower than direct EB lithography.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
EB-induced deposition can achieve similar resolution but it's 1000x slower than direct EB lithography.
November 21, 2025 at 7:48 AM
2 nanometer feature size and 5 nanometer half-pitch resolution with electron-beam lithography using 200 keV+ with aberration correction:
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
EB-induced deposition can achieve similar resolution but it's 1000x slower than direct EB lithography.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
EB-induced deposition can achieve similar resolution but it's 1000x slower than direct EB lithography.
The Boudouard reaction is a counter-intuitive 'dispropotionation' of carbon dioxide and carbon into carbon monoxide.
At high temperatures, the exothermic 2CO -> CO2 + C reaction becomes endergonic and CO is the stable oxide instead.
At high temperatures, the exothermic 2CO -> CO2 + C reaction becomes endergonic and CO is the stable oxide instead.
November 21, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The Boudouard reaction is a counter-intuitive 'dispropotionation' of carbon dioxide and carbon into carbon monoxide.
At high temperatures, the exothermic 2CO -> CO2 + C reaction becomes endergonic and CO is the stable oxide instead.
At high temperatures, the exothermic 2CO -> CO2 + C reaction becomes endergonic and CO is the stable oxide instead.
The Type 094 Jin-class nuclear ballistic submarine is China's first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent, according to U.S. Strategic Command.
The PLAN operates six of these, each carrying 12x JL-2 (7200 km range) or JL-3 (10,000 km range) SLBMs with single warheads.
The PLAN operates six of these, each carrying 12x JL-2 (7200 km range) or JL-3 (10,000 km range) SLBMs with single warheads.
November 21, 2025 at 6:55 AM
The Type 094 Jin-class nuclear ballistic submarine is China's first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent, according to U.S. Strategic Command.
The PLAN operates six of these, each carrying 12x JL-2 (7200 km range) or JL-3 (10,000 km range) SLBMs with single warheads.
The PLAN operates six of these, each carrying 12x JL-2 (7200 km range) or JL-3 (10,000 km range) SLBMs with single warheads.
The IM-3 Nova-C lunar lander from Intuitive Machine, modeled and optimized for real-time rendering in UE5.
#space #art by Carter Pytel.
www.artstation.com/artwork/6LgG80
#space #art by Carter Pytel.
www.artstation.com/artwork/6LgG80
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 AM
The IM-3 Nova-C lunar lander from Intuitive Machine, modeled and optimized for real-time rendering in UE5.
#space #art by Carter Pytel.
www.artstation.com/artwork/6LgG80
#space #art by Carter Pytel.
www.artstation.com/artwork/6LgG80
Medical applications of bacteria that naturally have tiny iron oxide magnets inside:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/bio...
Magnetosomes are safer to use than artificial nanoparticles, thermally stable, disperse in water, non-toxic and can help with MRIs, drug delivery and destroying cancers.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/bio...
Magnetosomes are safer to use than artificial nanoparticles, thermally stable, disperse in water, non-toxic and can help with MRIs, drug delivery and destroying cancers.
November 21, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Medical applications of bacteria that naturally have tiny iron oxide magnets inside:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/bio...
Magnetosomes are safer to use than artificial nanoparticles, thermally stable, disperse in water, non-toxic and can help with MRIs, drug delivery and destroying cancers.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/bio...
Magnetosomes are safer to use than artificial nanoparticles, thermally stable, disperse in water, non-toxic and can help with MRIs, drug delivery and destroying cancers.
Studying the 'hammer shock' from an engine surge causing a pressure wave to travel up a serpentine inlect duct:
pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/arti...
The hammer shock can cause pressure to rise up to 3.2x and travel at 318 m/s, even in modest flight speeds of Mach 0.7
pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/arti...
The hammer shock can cause pressure to rise up to 3.2x and travel at 318 m/s, even in modest flight speeds of Mach 0.7
November 21, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Studying the 'hammer shock' from an engine surge causing a pressure wave to travel up a serpentine inlect duct:
pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/arti...
The hammer shock can cause pressure to rise up to 3.2x and travel at 318 m/s, even in modest flight speeds of Mach 0.7
pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/arti...
The hammer shock can cause pressure to rise up to 3.2x and travel at 318 m/s, even in modest flight speeds of Mach 0.7
Test Zuni, the first of a three-stage thermonuclear device, at Bikini Atoll in 1956:
youtu.be/YLw4b9bOZuw
Its outer tamper was replaced by inert lead, reducing yield to 3.5 megatons. The 'dirty' version with a radioactive uranium tamper yielded 5 Mt in test Tewa.
youtu.be/YLw4b9bOZuw
Its outer tamper was replaced by inert lead, reducing yield to 3.5 megatons. The 'dirty' version with a radioactive uranium tamper yielded 5 Mt in test Tewa.
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Test Zuni, the first of a three-stage thermonuclear device, at Bikini Atoll in 1956:
youtu.be/YLw4b9bOZuw
Its outer tamper was replaced by inert lead, reducing yield to 3.5 megatons. The 'dirty' version with a radioactive uranium tamper yielded 5 Mt in test Tewa.
youtu.be/YLw4b9bOZuw
Its outer tamper was replaced by inert lead, reducing yield to 3.5 megatons. The 'dirty' version with a radioactive uranium tamper yielded 5 Mt in test Tewa.
The difference between a spaceship and a space station is just a question of deltaV.
Here's 'Homestead One' being moved into Ganymede orbit.
#space #art by Landon Lemmon.
www.artstation.com/artwork/G0KJa
Here's 'Homestead One' being moved into Ganymede orbit.
#space #art by Landon Lemmon.
www.artstation.com/artwork/G0KJa
November 21, 2025 at 6:27 AM
The difference between a spaceship and a space station is just a question of deltaV.
Here's 'Homestead One' being moved into Ganymede orbit.
#space #art by Landon Lemmon.
www.artstation.com/artwork/G0KJa
Here's 'Homestead One' being moved into Ganymede orbit.
#space #art by Landon Lemmon.
www.artstation.com/artwork/G0KJa
An electrothermal ramjet:
nss.org/settlement/n...
Hydrogen gas is electrically heated as a tungsten projectile passes, expanding against the walls and squeezing it down the tube. If T<3500K is the limit, then max velocity of around 10 km/s is possible.
nss.org/settlement/n...
Hydrogen gas is electrically heated as a tungsten projectile passes, expanding against the walls and squeezing it down the tube. If T<3500K is the limit, then max velocity of around 10 km/s is possible.
November 19, 2025 at 9:40 AM
An electrothermal ramjet:
nss.org/settlement/n...
Hydrogen gas is electrically heated as a tungsten projectile passes, expanding against the walls and squeezing it down the tube. If T<3500K is the limit, then max velocity of around 10 km/s is possible.
nss.org/settlement/n...
Hydrogen gas is electrically heated as a tungsten projectile passes, expanding against the walls and squeezing it down the tube. If T<3500K is the limit, then max velocity of around 10 km/s is possible.
The last NASA Starfighter on its final flight:
www.nasa.gov/image-articl...
F-104G 826, originally belonging to the German Luftwaffe, performs the last flight of its 18 year career at NASA, ending 38 years of service from those planes.
www.nasa.gov/image-articl...
F-104G 826, originally belonging to the German Luftwaffe, performs the last flight of its 18 year career at NASA, ending 38 years of service from those planes.
November 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The last NASA Starfighter on its final flight:
www.nasa.gov/image-articl...
F-104G 826, originally belonging to the German Luftwaffe, performs the last flight of its 18 year career at NASA, ending 38 years of service from those planes.
www.nasa.gov/image-articl...
F-104G 826, originally belonging to the German Luftwaffe, performs the last flight of its 18 year career at NASA, ending 38 years of service from those planes.
An 'ultimate fidelity' render of the J-10C with its domestic WS-10 jet engine.
#art by Metrea Simulations.
www.artstation.com/artwork/lG8RdJ
#art by Metrea Simulations.
www.artstation.com/artwork/lG8RdJ
November 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
An 'ultimate fidelity' render of the J-10C with its domestic WS-10 jet engine.
#art by Metrea Simulations.
www.artstation.com/artwork/lG8RdJ
#art by Metrea Simulations.
www.artstation.com/artwork/lG8RdJ