On June 19, 1959, the Air Force Special Weapons Center based out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, published a new, comprehensive report. Its unclassified title: “A study of lunar research flights.” The somewhat unassuming name of this report belies its true purpose – to assess and describe, in detail, the scientific information that could be obtained from detonation of nuclear explosives on or in the vicinity of the Moon.

In its inaugural outing in Toronto, I found Women in Planetary Science and Exploration (as it was then called) to be a conference experience unlike any other. Scientists, engineers, humanities scholars, and educators were all welcomed to the space as valued contributors to our discussion. Now in its second year and in a new venue in Scottsdale, Arizona, Women in Space has grown and improved while continuing to be one of the only conferences of its kind: a conference where the experiences of women and non-binary people dictate the programming, rather than having programming made for us by an institution that bears us only a passing, cursory interest.

What use is a geologist in a nuclear age?

On my birthday for the past two years, I've written a piece about my goal of becoming an astronaut. However, this year I'd like to instead share with you a work of fiction that I wrote which was born out of that dream, and one that was actually nominated for an award a while back. I like to think and write about humans in space, and about what humanity might change (and not change) about itself to survive in space long-term. So, if you're interested in my vision for a bold, human future of spaceflight, maybe give this tiny short story a read. 

What does it mean to be a woman in planetary science?

The Soviet space program was an endeavor that struck fear into the hearts of Americans for decades, and yet somehow remained shrouded in mystery.

Many scientific historians have broadly discussed the influence of the Cold War on the development of specific fields within the broader discipline of earth science.  However, few have touched on the study of climate change by the U.S. military, and its array of plans to co-opt the process for warfare during (and later after) the Cold War. 

I want to be an astronaut.