Fake Space News: NASA will build a floating robotic railroad on the moon by 2030

 

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/niac/niac-studies/flexible-levitation-on-a-track-float/

We propose developing FLOAT — Flexible Levitation on a Track — to meet these transportation needs. The FLOAT system employs unpowered magnetic robots that levitate over a 3-layer flexible film track: a graphite layer enables robots to passively float over tracks using diamagnetic levitation, a flex-circuit layer generates electromagnetic thrust to controllably propel robots along tracks, and an optional thin-film solar panel layer generates power for the base when in sunlight. FLOAT robots have no moving parts and levitate over the track to minimize lunar dust abrasion / wear, unlike lunar robots with wheels, legs, or tracks.

See also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13403585/NASA-build-TRAIN-moon-lunar-base.html .

If I were 8 years old again, I would think this would be very cool.

Also, in more fake space news, NASA says it is planning on "returning" to the Moon in September 2026 when Artemis III astronauts will spend a week near the South Pole of the Moon.

[Insert photoshop of astronaut holding a pickaxe looking at a moon rock]

See: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iii/

Oh for kids, there is a cool video on how to draw Artemis with just a ruler.  And they have a coloring book of planets and dogs. See "Exoplanet Coloring Book".  

Update: More cool space coloring books: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/coloring-pages/en/

Update 2: Here is an interview with NASA directory Bill Nelson on going to the moon.

https://www.npr.org/2024/05/06/1249249941/nasa-bill-nelson-moon-artemis-china-starliner