You are invited to attend the Terasem Colloquium on July 20, 10am - 1pm ET via Zoom
Theme: the early days of a better Spaceflight Revolution. With William Sims Bainbridge, Rebecca Lowe, Namrata Goswami, Angela Meyers, Rick Tumlinson, Robert Geraci, Christopher Cokinos.
You are invited to attend the Terasem Colloquium on July 20, 2026, from 10am to 1pm ET via Zoom. Theme: the early days of a better Spaceflight Revolution.
Agenda
10am ET: Introduction by Giulio Prisco
10:05 am ET: William Sims Bainbridge
10:30 am ET: Rebecca Lowe
10:55 am ET: Namrata Goswami
11:20 am ET: Angela Meyers
11:45 am ET: Rick Tumlinson
12:10 pm ET: Robert Geraci
12:35 pm ET: Christopher Cokinos
You are invited!
Zoom access coordinates
Terasem Colloquium, July 20, 2026, 10am ET - 1pm ET
(7am - 10am PT, 4pm - 7pm CET).
Meeting ID: 880 1947 6315
Passcode: 476537
CLICK HERE to access the Zoom meeting
The spectacular Artemis II mission around the Moon, and the recently announced NASA plans for a permanent Moon base, are exciting ongoing developments in spaceflight. Bill Bainbridge’s book “The Spaceflight Revolution: A Sociological Study,” written 50 years ago, is worth reading again. “Somewhere soon after the turn of the century there is the real possibility of a Second Spaceflight Revolution,” he said in the last chapter. Bainbridge will speak at the Colloquium. Rick Tumlinson, the author of “Why Space?: The Purpose of People,” will also speak at the Colloquium and elaborate on the hows (e.g. private spaceflight, aka NewSpace) and whys. They and the other speakers will discuss geopolitical, operational, and cultural aspects of a new and better Spaceflight Revolution.
A new issue of Terasem’s Journal of Personal Cyberconsciousness will be published on July 20.
Some of my recent writings published in Mindplex:
Richard Dawkins reflects on AI consciousness
A celebrated scientist weighs in on whether Claude is conscious - and stirs a storm.
I cover Richard Dawkins' recent claim that Claude may be conscious, and the debate it sparked. I present the arguments for and against, and share my own view that the question of AI consciousness deserves to be taken seriously rather than dismissed.
The pursuit of fusion energy is absolutely necessary
Clean, near-limitless power is not optional - it’s the foundation of any worthwhile future.
I argue that fusion energy is not merely desirable but essential for humanity's future. I survey recent progress in the field and push back against excessive skepticism, making the case that bold, sustained investment in fusion is a moral and civilizational imperative.
Does Casimir’s MicroSparc chip extract zero point energy from the quantum vacuum?
According to controversial claims, a chip generates power by harvesting energy directly from the quantum vacuum.
I report on Casimir Inc.'s MicroSparc chip, claimed to generate continuous electrical power from the quantum vacuum. I outline the underlying physics, survey the scientific skepticism, and conclude that while independent verification is essential, bold exploratory research like this deserves a fair hearing rather than unthinking dismissal.
Mining the Moon for nuclear fusion gold: The race for lunar Helium-3
The Moon’s surface holds a rare isotope that could fuel fusion reactors and power civilization for centuries.
I examine the growing interest in mining helium-3 from the lunar surface as a fuel for fusion reactors. I cover the key players, the technical challenges, and the geopolitical dimensions of what is becoming an important dimension of the broader race to establish a presence on the Moon.
NASA outlines plans for the Moon Base, but challenges remain
A bold phased roadmap to a permanent lunar outpost - and the obstacles standing in the way.
I praise NASA's detailed plans for a permanent Moon base, and cover the challenges that stand between NASA’s ambitious roadmap and a sustained human presence on the lunar surface. In particular, the explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket complicates NASA’s planning.
Magnificent Humanity: the Pope and Anthropic’s co-founder on AI
Two very different voices converge on a surprising shared vision of AI’s relationship with human dignity.
I examine the recent statements on AI from the Pope and Anthropic’s co-founder. There’s common ground in their shared concern for human dignity. At the same time, I see subtle but important differences in their takes on the possibility of AI consciousness.
Futureproofing Humanity by Robert Geraci: a review
A scholar of science and religion examines whether technology can save us - and how.
I review Robert Geraci's latest book, which examines transhumanist and techno-utopian visions through the lens of science and religion. I engage with Geraci's arguments, noting where I agree and where I don’t, and recommend the book to anyone interested in deeper questions about our future.
Moon bases and data centers in space: spaceflight and AI accelerate on converging paths
I explore how space infrastructure and AI development are becoming increasingly intertwined.
I argue that the return to the Moon and the explosive growth of AI are converging into a single story, and reflect on what this convergence means for the long-term future of both humanity and intelligence itself.