Economic and Financial Impact Archives

Phil: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027? Blue Origin and Sierra Space have assembled credible engineering talent, demonstrated critical technologies like inflatable habitat modules, and secured $172 million in NASA funding. They’ve maintained partnership cohesion across a complex consortium at a time when multi-party space mega-projects have a checkered history. Their 2027 operational target, while optimistic, isn’t science fiction.

Blue Origin and Sierra Space have assembled credible engineering talent, demonstrated critical technologies like inflatable habitat modules, and secured $172 million in NASA funding. They’ve maintained partnership cohesion across a complex consortium at a time when multi-party space mega-projects have a checkered history. Their 2027 operational target, while optimistic, isn’t science fiction.

Phil: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027?

Phillip Godzin July 15, 2026

Blue Origin and Sierra Space have assembled credible engineering talent, demonstrated critical technologies like inflatable habitat modules,...

Jeremy: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027? NASA is recruiting research participants for the agency’s next simulated deep space mission. Beginning no earlier than August 2027, research volunteers will spend one year living and working in interplanetary environments at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, operating under isolated conditions expected during crewed missions to the Moon or Red Planet.

NASA is recruiting research participants for the agency’s next simulated deep space mission. Beginning no earlier than August 2027, research volunteers will spend one year living and working in interplanetary environments at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, operating under isolated conditions expected during crewed missions to the Moon or Red Planet.

Jeremy: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027?

Jeremy Lichtman July 15, 2026

In scenarios where urgent shifts in priorities, technological breakthroughs, or broad definitions are applied, such predictions might...

Phil: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026? Chevron has raised its 2022 production forecast in the Permian Basin to between 700,000 and 750,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per day, a more than 15% year-over-year increase. The basin is a vast oil and gas region spanning parts of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Source: https://www.chevron.com/newsroom/our-operations

Chevron has raised its 2022 production forecast in the Permian Basin to between 700,000 and 750,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per day, a more than 15% year-over-year increase. The basin is a vast oil and gas region spanning parts of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Source: https://www.chevron.com/newsroom/our-operations

Phil: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026?

Phillip Godzin July 14, 2026

UBS projects Brent ending 2026 around 85 USD/bbl. J.P. Morgan sees an average near 60 USD/bbl for...

Jeremy: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026? Crude oil production in Pecos, Texas. Source: Chevron.

Jeremy: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026?

Jeremy Lichtman July 14, 2026

Overall, while there are several variables discussed that may influence Brent Crude prices, none provide conclusive evidence...

University students and advisors from 11 finalist teams gathered in Huntsville, home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, June 23-25 for the agency’s third annual Human Lander Challenge. This year’s competition challenged students to consider solutions for environmental control and life support systems for long duration spaceflight. These technologies are essential for maintaining breathable air, potable water, and thermal stability for astronauts during deep space missions. NASA/Charles Beason

Jeremy: Will an Artemis III orbital demonstration mission succeed by the end of 2027?

Jeremy Lichtman July 13, 2026

Despite historical success in NASA missions, especially when collaborating with private companies, there are significant technical, logistical,...

The CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission 2 crew, commanded by Ross Elder and with medical officer Ellen Ellis, science officer Matthew Montgomery, and flight engineer James Spicer, entered the 3D-printed habitat last year at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Oct. 19. They will exit in about six months on Oct. 31. Members of NASA’s CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission 2 pose for a group photo. (From left to right: Ellen Ellis, Ross Elder, James Spicer, and Matthew Montgomery) Credit: NASA

Phil: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027?

Phillip Godzin July 9, 2026

Haven-1 by Vast Space remains the strongest candidate for the first new commercial space habitat with human...

Jeremy: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027? A research volunteer uses augmented reality goggles to perform astronaut-like tasks during a simulated space mission. Participants selected for NASA’s first Moon and Mars Exploration Analog mission also will perform tasks in immersive, interactive environments while living inside habitats that simulate traveling to and living on the Moon and Mars. Credit: NASA

A research volunteer uses augmented reality goggles to perform astronaut-like tasks during a simulated space mission. Participants selected for NASA’s first Moon and Mars Exploration Analog mission also will perform tasks in immersive, interactive environments while living inside habitats that simulate traveling to and living on the Moon and Mars. Credit: NASA

Jeremy: Will any new space habitat be visited by humans before the end of 2027?

Jeremy Lichtman July 8, 2026

NASA is planning a year-long simulated space habitat program starting in August 2027 at the Johnson Space...

Phil: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026? With the setting sun, the gleaming lights of the Manifa causeway and its branches are more easily discernible, showcasing an intricate web of roads, oil pipelines, and towering rigs – an extraordinary network of continuous work and production.

With the setting sun, the gleaming lights of the Manifa causeway and its branches are more easily discernible, showcasing an intricate web of roads, oil pipelines, and towering rigs – an extraordinary network of continuous work and production.

Phil: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026?

Phillip Godzin July 9, 2026

Analyst forecasts for the remainder of 2026 vary but generally project averages in the 60–95 USD range,...

Jeremy: Will the price of Brent Crude fall below $50 per barrel in 2026? The Permian Basin, an oil producing region spanning much of New Mexico and Texas. This is the highest oil producing field in the United States. Source: https://www.chevron.com/newsroom/2024/q4/energy-production-is-growing-in-new-mexico