Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

J. Russell

@jrussellwrites.com

48 followers 59 following 330 posts

JBMSSA Finalist 2022, 2025 | I'm an engineer. I read, I write, and I have a lot of random interests. jrussellwrites.com My inactive Twitter is @jrussellwrites @[email protected] http://www.youtube.com/@jrussellwrites

www.youtube.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · Mar 20

Needs more radiators.

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 2d

The problem of my weekend: Why won't my phone charge?

Grass. My charging port was full of grass from weedwacking mixed with pocket lint.

Reposted by J. Russell

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 6d

After Mars - 8 Candidates For Where Humanity Should Go Next
youtu.be/dJG1iTgUuG8
Mars may be humanity’s next great home—but it’s not the finish line. From floating cities above Venus to mining Mercury and the Belt, we explore what might follow Mars and how each could shape our future in space.

After Mars - 8 Candidates For Where Humanity Should Go Next

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 8d

An interstellar gas station!

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 8d

New Dwarf Planet Discovered... A Minor Planet With a Major Future?
youtu.be/GboWwqzAHEo
The discovery of 2017 OF201 reminds us that even small worlds can hold vast potential — not just as frozen orbs, but as stepping stones for interstellar civilization.

New Dwarf Planet Discovered... A Minor Planet With a Major Future?

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

Reposted by J. Russell

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 8d

New Dwarf Planet Discovered... A Minor Planet With a Major Future?
youtu.be/GboWwqzAHEo
The discovery of 2017 OF201 reminds us that even small worlds can hold vast potential — not just as frozen orbs, but as stepping stones for interstellar civilization.

New Dwarf Planet Discovered... A Minor Planet With a Major Future?

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 8d

If anyone is in the Waynesboro, VA or Staunton, VA area, and wants to get together for dedicated writing time, this Thursday is our next Shut up & Write meeting.

We will… Shut Up & Write for an hour. Going forward, this will be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.

See you there!

Reposted by J. Russell

Lilium Brick Yards @liliumbrickyards.com · 10d

#Shiptember Day 25

USS Grissom's Demise.

LEGO recreation of a scene from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, depicting a Klingon Bird of Prey about to destroy the USS Grissom.

Reposted by J. Russell

Lilium Brick Yards @liliumbrickyards.com · 10d

My 1:1055 scale model of the B'rel class Klingon Bird of Prey! It can be easily converted to a raised wing configuration by swapping a few pieces. Really happy with this one :)

Instructions: liliumbrickyards.com/product/brel...

LEGO B'rel class, in space.

LEGO B'rel class, main view.

LEGO B'rel class, back view.

LEGO B'rel class, raised wings.

Reposted by J. Russell

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 10d

Exploring The Multiverse: Infinite Realities, One Grand Mystery
youtu.be/wb3jGT6vob4
The universe is beyond immense, and yet it might be nothing more than a tiny dot beside the rest of reality.

Exploring The Multiverse: Infinite Realities, One Grand Mystery

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

Reposted by J. Russell

💀🧟‍♂️Kevin Church of the UNHOLY 🧟‍♂️💀 @beaucoupkevin.com · 12d

The most accurate recreation of DS9 I've seen.

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

It’s a shame that shortsightedness and looking inward is the way things are going, but there is always tomorrow.

8/8

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

(NASA’s current budget is approximately $25 billion), would be measured in trillions of dollars of new revenue and savings on Earth.

Our current governments worldwide are dismantling their space programs, cutting investment in space, or keeping those levels stagnant.

7/8

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

But, what does this offer people on Earth, directly?

If you subscribe to MMT, then funding these efforts seems like an obvious thing to do since the return on investment, which would be hundreds of billions of dollars

6/?

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

Space based solar power, if commercial fusion does not become viable first, would provide 24/7 power transmission to Earth, cleanly. Shortages of materials, like rare-earth metals or precious metals, can be alleviated by utilizing asteroid mining.

5/?

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

This is one of many examples, but we can also directly solve some of our problems on Earth in space. Large mirrors can be constructed and put between the Earth and the Sun to help lessen the effects of climate change.

4/?

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

Vertical farms and hydroponics technology, as well as GMO foods designed for high yields, will be required for the small enclosures of space habitats. The same technology would be useful in high-population-density urban areas on Earth.

3/?

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

By solving the problems of space exploration and colonization, we will solve many of the problems here on Earth.

Example: Food scarcity is a problem on Earth, and it is the first problem that must be addressed if colonies in space are to be self-sufficient.

2/?

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

I often read or hear that money shouldn’t be spent for space travel until we solve all our problems here on Earth. We do have problems, that is an undeniable fact, but our exploration of space often provides solutions to problems that we haven’t encountered yet on Earth.

1/?

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 13d

Once we have in-space manufacturing, we win the whole ball game. Solar mirrors for climate control, space based solar power, massive space habitats, reliable supplies to Mars colonies, generation ships to the stars, etc.

All if we can get manufacturing set up up there.

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 13d

Orbital Foundries & Zero G Manufacturing - Building in Space
youtu.be/-b71w0eTuck
Gravity has always shackled industry, but orbit frees us to build in ways Earth never allowed. This episode explores the rise of orbital foundries and the industries they unlock.

Orbital Foundries & Zero G Manufacturing - Building in Space

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

Reposted by J. Russell

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 15d

Is 3I/ATLAS an Alien Artifact?
youtu.be/mwlTlw3rV5I
3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object we’ve ever seen — but could it really be an alien artifact, or just another comet with unusual traits?

Is 3I/ATLAS an Alien Artifact?

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

Reposted by J. Russell

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 18d

Life in Methane Oceans: Could Aliens Evolve on Titan-like Worlds?
youtu.be/IJQoFXO5YcU
Could life thrive in seas of methane instead of water? We explore Titan-like worlds and the alien ecosystems they might harbor.

Life in Methane Oceans: Could Aliens Evolve on Titan-like Worlds?

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

Reposted by J. Russell

isaac-arthur.bsky.social @isaac-arthur.bsky.social · 20d

Space Habitat Clusters & Conglomerations
youtu.be/jEWRL-6BR0A
Space isn’t just for lonely colonies—it’s for communities. Join us as we imagine constellations of space habitats bound by tethers, trade, and trust, building not just homes in the stars but entire civilizations.

Space Habitat Clusters & Conglomerations

YouTube video by Isaac Arthur

Reposted by J. Russell

Encyclopaedia Britannica @britannica.com · 14d

So you know EXACTLY what you just walked into.

Diagram showing four major spiderweb types: orb with radial spokes, funnel with a tube retreat, sheet with dense nonsticky silk, and tangle with irregular 3D sticky threads.

Reposted by J. Russell

Lilium Brick Yards @liliumbrickyards.com · 15d

Gonna try to do 2 (small) Star Trek ships this week, here's #1

In-progress LEGO model of the Oberth class from Star Trek.

J. Russell @jrussellwrites.com · 14d

Re-listened to the @isaac-arthur.bsky.social podcast episode on the Phosphorus Problem while walking the dogs today.

It is one of the bottlenecks to civilization that we need (not want) nuclear fusion technology to solve.

Reposted by J. Russell

Lilium Brick Yards @liliumbrickyards.com · 14d

#Shiptember Day 20

Concept USS Enterprise-C

LEGO model of the concept art version of the Enterprise-C against a pink nebula.