Space Sciences

The collection of scientific disciplines dedicated to studying the universe from the unique vantage point of space, and understanding space itself as an environment. This includes astronomy (observing without atmospheric distortion), planetary science, heliophysics (studying the Sun's influence), and microgravity research (studying fluid dynamics, materials, and biology in freefall). It provides the fundamental knowledge about where we're going and what we'll find there, from mapping asteroid compositions to understanding how cosmic radiation affects DNA.

Example: "Her Ph.D. in space sciences involved analyzing spectrometer data from a probe that flew through a comet's tail. She discovered complex organic molecules, which she excitedly explained as 'the building blocks of life, just chilling on a dirty iceball.' This is why we spend the money."

by Abzugal January 30, 2026

Space Sciences

The umbrella term for all the disciplines that study what's out there, from astronomy (looking at things) to astrophysics (mathematically looking at things) to cosmology (looking at everything, all at once). Space sciences have revealed that the universe is vast, beautiful, and largely indifferent to our existence, which is either humbling or depressing depending on your perspective. The field has mapped cosmic microwave background radiation, discovered exoplanets by the thousands, and still can't explain dark matter, which makes up most of the universe and is apparently very shy.

Example: "She got a PhD in space sciences and now spends her nights at an observatory, collecting data on distant galaxies. When people ask what she's found, she says 'mostly noise, but occasionally something interesting, and that makes the noise worthwhile.' It's also how she describes her dating life."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Space Sciences

The umbrella term for all disciplines that study what lies beyond Earth's atmosphere, from astronomy (looking at pretty lights) to astrophysics (doing math about the pretty lights) to cosmology (asking how all the lights got there in the first place). Space sciences have revealed that the universe is vast, ancient, and mostly empty, which is either humbling or terrifying depending on your tolerance for existential dread. The field has also discovered that we are made of stardust, which sounds poetic until you remember that stardust is also what's floating under your couch. Space sciences are the ultimate exercise in perspective: they make your problems seem tiny and your existence seem miraculous, often in the same sentence.

Example: "She studied space sciences and now can't look at the night sky without calculating distances, ages, and the sheer improbability of it all. When her friend complained about a bad date, she said, 'In 5 billion years, the sun will engulf the Earth. Your date really doesn't matter.' Her friend said that wasn't helpful. She said it was true, which was more important."

by Dumu The Void February 15, 2026

Space Social Sciences

The study of how human societies imagine, fund, and react to the cosmos, from ancient star-worshippers to modern Mars-colony dreamers. It examines why we project our hopes and fears onto the heavens (aliens will save us / aliens will eat us), how space discoveries reshape culture (the Earthrise photo changed everything), and why billionaires are so obsessed with space (it's the ultimate gated community). Space social sciences reveal that the cosmos is a mirror, reflecting not what's out there, but what we bring to it.

Example: "A space social sciences study analyzed why Mars colonization captures the imagination while ocean exploration doesn't. The conclusion: space feels like the future; the ocean feels like the past. Also, Mars doesn't have sharks, which is a significant advantage in the public perception department."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Critical Theory of Space Science

The application of Critical Theory to space science—examining how space exploration and research are shaped by power, politics, and economics. Critical Theory of Space Science asks: Who funds space science? For what purposes? How do military and corporate interests shape space agendas? Whose dreams of space are realized, whose are excluded? How might space science serve humanity rather than nationalism or profit? Drawing on critical geography and science studies, it insists that space is never just "out there"—it's an extension of Earthly politics, power, and inequality.

"Space exploration is for all humanity, they say. Critical Theory of Space Science asks: funded by whom? Controlled by whom? Billionaires racing to space while people starve—that's not 'all humanity.' Space science serves power, just like everything else. Critical theory insists on asking: who benefits from space, and who's left behind on Earth?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026