habitat
The natural home and environment for all things sci fi, including future homes and territories.
Why Some Exoplanets Look “Puffed Up”
When astronomers first began discovering exoplanets—planets orbiting stars beyond our Solar System—they expected familiar patterns. Some worlds would resemble rocky Earth-like planets, others would look like gas giants similar to Jupiter or Saturn. Instead, the universe delivered a surprise. Among thousands of known exoplanets, scientists found a strange class of worlds that appear abnormally large, swollen far beyond what their mass should allow. These planets look “puffed up,” like overheated balloons floating in space.
By Holianyk Ihorabout 8 hours ago in Futurism
Worlds on the Edge: Planets Nearly Torn Apart by Their Stars
In the vast diversity of planetary systems across the universe, some worlds exist in a state that seems almost impossible. These are planets that orbit so close to their parent stars that gravity itself threatens to tear them apart. They are not science fiction, nor distant theoretical curiosities. Astronomers have already discovered many such worlds, and they are among the most extreme objects ever observed beyond our Solar System.
By Holianyk Ihorabout 8 hours ago in Futurism
On Being First
The coffee shop is quiet today. It’s very pleasant. A few people drift in and out picking up their coffee to go while others sit, relax, and talk with muted voices. I must admit, it’s strange to be here this time of day. I’m usually in the dunes working.
By Om Prakash John Gilmorea day ago in Futurism
Why Space Technologies Are Increasingly Borrowing Ideas from Biology
For decades, space technology was defined by cold metal, rigid structures, and deterministic engineering. Rockets, satellites, and space stations were designed as machines in the purest sense—precise, predictable, and built to resist failure through redundancy. This approach worked well during the early era of space exploration, when missions were short, environments were relatively well understood, and human presence in space was limited.
By Holianyk Ihora day ago in Futurism
Why Simple Algorithms Are More Advantageous in Space Than Complex Ones
On Earth, technological progress is often associated with growing complexity. Artificial intelligence systems learn from massive datasets, algorithms evolve autonomously, and software becomes increasingly layered and abstract. In many industries, complexity is equated with intelligence and capability. However, once we leave Earth and enter space, this logic changes dramatically. In orbit, on the Moon, or on Mars, simplicity is not a limitation—it is a strategic advantage.
By Holianyk Ihora day ago in Futurism
Materials That Only Work in Space: When the Universe Becomes the Laboratory
For most of human history, materials science has been constrained by Earth itself. Gravity shapes how crystals grow, air corrodes exposed surfaces, moisture seeps into polymers, and temperature changes happen gradually. But beyond Earth’s atmosphere lies an environment so extreme—and so different—that entirely new classes of materials can exist. Some of them do not merely perform better in space; they only function in space.
By Holianyk Ihor2 days ago in Futurism
Why Future Human Colonies May Be Built Underground
When people imagine humanity’s future beyond Earth, they often picture shining cities beneath transparent domes, towering structures on Mars, or lunar bases with panoramic views of alien landscapes. These images are inspiring—but they are also deeply optimistic. In reality, the first long-term human colonies on other worlds are far more likely to be hidden beneath the surface. Paradoxically, the safest and most practical path to becoming a spacefaring civilization may lead us underground.
By Holianyk Ihor2 days ago in Futurism
What Happens If a Black Hole Enters Our Solar System
The universe is full of cosmic horrors that make even the most imaginative science fiction seem tame, and black holes rank among the most terrifying. These gravitational monsters, regions of spacetime where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape, have captured human imagination for decades. But what would actually happen if one of these cosmic predators wandered into our neighborhood?
By Holianyk Ihor4 days ago in Futurism
Planet Nine: The Ghost of the Solar System Nobody Can Find
We Lost a Planet. Then We Found a Bigger Mystery. In 2006, astronomers took something away from us. Pluto — that tiny, beloved frozen world at the edge of the solar system — was officially stripped of its planetary status by the International Astronomical Union. Too small. Too far. Too irregular. Just like that, our solar system shrank from nine planets to eight, and most of us shrugged and moved on.
By Holianyk Ihor4 days ago in Futurism
How Much Does It Cost to Launch a Person Into Space — and Why Is It Getting Cheaper?
Picture this: you hand over a check large enough to buy dozens of apartments in a major city. In return, you get a nine-minute ride. That's it. Nine minutes of sheer, stomach-dropping wonder before you're back on the ground. Sounds absurd? It was the reality of space travel not so long ago — and right now, the entire equation is being rewritten.
By Holianyk Ihor4 days ago in Futurism
Killer Asteroid: How Humanity Is Preparing for the Inevitable Impact
Sixty-six million years ago, a cosmic rock roughly 10 kilometers in diameter ended the age of dinosaurs in a catastrophic instant. Today, humanity stands as the first species on Earth capable not only of predicting such a disaster but also of preventing it. The only question is: will we be ready in time?
By Holianyk Ihor5 days ago in Futurism
Space Tech in Your Pocket: The Cosmic Origins of Everyday Life
You wake up to your smartphone alarm, check the weather forecast, brew your morning coffee, and head to work guided by GPS navigation. Sounds like an ordinary day, right? Actually, you've just used at least five technologies born from space exploration programs. And it's not even 9 AM yet.
By Holianyk Ihor5 days ago in Futurism
