Prof. of Mechanical Eng., @mcgillu Interstellar Flight Group, @mcgill-adastra.bsky.social. #GoingInterstellar. #UrbanCyclist.https://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3miwdjzqzuc2wT‑6 hours until our online discussion: Does NASA’s newly announced nuclear electric propulsion demonstration, Space Reactor‑1 Freedom, represent real progress or another technological dead end? Join us at 7 pm EDT / 4 pm Pacific. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T9pDxE5qKw [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Apr 2026 17:47 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwdjzqzuc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mittkimklc2oTomorrow afternoon (Tues., April 7), I’ll be online with Ozan Bellik, Jeff Greason, and Lucas Beveridge (@nuke-luke.bsky.social) to break down NASA’s new plan for a 2028 nuclear‑electric propulsion demo. Exact time and YouTube link in the reply below.06 Apr 2026 17:55 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mittkimklc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mhysc7sqac24Word: “The 40 kWe nuclear reactor proposed for use in SR-1 Freedom would have a vital role in providing surface power for human Mars expeditions. But nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) offers no compelling advantages for either robotic or human Mars exploration.” [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Mar 2026 23:51 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhysc7sqac24https://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mht57x4fyk2hQuick reality check: — Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) won’t shorten Mars transit times. — We don’t have a space‑rated 25 kWe reactor — and even a crash program to develop one would take a decade. — Inside Mars’ orbit, solar electric propulsion already outperforms NEP.24 Mar 2026 17:51 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mht57x4fyk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mgidryaalc25#NotInMyJournal [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Mar 2026 17:24 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgidryaalc25https://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3me667lp2ss2qWhile reading Roald Sagdeev’s memoirs, I came across a quote from Pyotr Kapitsa, written on a preprint he had sent—of all people—to Stalin: “One is not a scientist who simply carries on scientific research; a scientist is one who cannot *not* carry on scientific research.”06 Feb 2026 05:27 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3me667lp2ss2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mduvixvvik2rBack to Vancouver for phase two of the “Make Fusion in 2026” sabbatical, traveling light with only the essentials from Montreal.02 Feb 2026 12:57 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mduvixvvik2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mddrzpi4v226Sometimes you’re browsing the McMaster catalogue and come across something so adorable you add it to your cart without really needing it. This miniature ball valve did not disappoint.26 Jan 2026 17:40 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mddrzpi4v226https://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mcnneeycbc22Cocoa Beach. A respectable little surf break. Apparently they also launch rockets nearby.17 Jan 2026 22:18 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcnneeycbc22https://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mca2zjvmsk2nWith my crew at the VAB at Kennedy Space Center. Artemis II is scheduled to roll out to Pad 39B at the end of this week.12 Jan 2026 12:45 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mca2zjvmsk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mc6x347i422nAerospace peeps: I’m at SciTech for first time in 30 years! #SciTech202612 Jan 2026 02:01 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mc6x347i422nhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3mar56okixc2wBack in the #Laurentians. Back in my happy place.24 Dec 2025 20:48 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mar56okixc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3m5adfmp46s2uMount Baker and Lions Gate Bridge, viewed from Cypress Mountain, Vancouver.10 Nov 2025 00:09 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5adfmp46s2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3m45n6pewwk2oThe magic of leaving Vancouver Island at sunset on @bcferries.bsky.social.27 Oct 2025 05:01 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m45n6pewwk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3m45cpt6kb22sProps to Long Beach Surf Shop for the expert kit and local wisdom. Every session was saltwater joy. Until next time, Tofino.27 Oct 2025 01:53 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m45cpt6kb22shttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3m3sqe7o7ys2pBig new (at least for me): I’m on sabbatical leave from McGill this year and working full-time with General Fusion in Vancouver. With 2026 shaping up to be a pivot year for commercial fusion, I’m excited to be on-site and contributing directly to the effort. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/general-fusion_welcome-to-general-fusion-dr-andrew-higgins-activity-7386862124532260865-rMdU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAANibHoBKGksDf8kURrG3EVajkrsG5BW79A22 Oct 2025 20:58 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3sqe7o7ys2phttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3lxxc6bmhls2tForty-two years ago, “The Day After” reshaped public discourse around the possibility of nuclear war, even profoundly influencing the sitting U.S. President. Can we hope that, in the hands of a gifted director like Bigelow, such impact might be felt again? https://youtu.be/0w6wUqWU3yU?si=b2QfMnEnVP_T2_o803 Sep 2025 18:47 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxxc6bmhls2thttps://bsky.app/profile/a-j-higgins.bsky.social/post/3lwh4lv2nqk2uCongratulations to Space Concordia Rocketry Division on the successful launch of Starsailor, featuring the largest student-built bipropellant rocket engine ever flown (35 kN thrust). The launch occurred approximately 1 hr 16 mins into the livestream linked below. https://www.youtube.com/live/610YciEs8qg?si=gn1rKki_EeebBnkr&t=4574 https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Flive%2F610YciEs8qg%3Fsi%3DH8LUZmzKfQosAngm%26t%3D4575%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6PBhq4Ohp-qNh0-EZypw4CArqFG8pCE2Wo-jty8oE5vS6-HQOoI1betAxRWg_aem_aNDD8iQ9yB0dSnE-2uF9RQ&h=AT3VV2bnanGq0ifnWmNHjTmqY6SJK-a_Nc__zF6WLwR69GJ6yU8j6oilwI6JjqijyOURGB00u8KwaEy_EsVJEUW66W93Oo16bQI3O76xCQ6njrbKedM4S1MBZOqPn9gk9HaClvCO4PHEZQ&__tn__=%2CmH-R&c[0]=AT2dgqdActDPoqXpz8ha-51el_tMprUIfxtawrI1niU2NqY1Vv06-c03theZGphKo2s9ftRFnuM9ypJWMBjUq3ye28o6nEJaZC34YBtctkhjW5bfUePoKqTgTUiA7j8NEeVdyiZvUqsFMTjSITk3BczIXKyQreUSdxplDZJHMyl3Echd5Ep8L7MRXCZjS7UfgtPTyPq2XVG15rO_mDxsdQ15 Aug 2025 14:59 +0000at://did:plc:cbc3icvqltj32l4pbvxozfwq/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwh4lv2nqk2u