Namesake
The Shuttle Atlantis becomes the last of the its era to launch from 39A in 2011 / NASA
39 Alpha Research is named after Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in the one, and the only, Florida.
LC-39A is a billion dollar chunk of gov'ment concrete, and it is inspirational. Conceived, designed, and built in the 1960s, LC-39A enabled the Apollo missions, riding astride massive Saturn rockets, to put the first humans on the moon in 1969. Its construction required Americans to work together and build a foundation, literally, in order to open a lasting gateway to space. Whether humans are walking on the moon, establishing an off-world outpost on Mars, or finding evidence of life in the oceans at Europa; a launchpad is integral, necessary, and obvious. LC-39A is still in use today.
Why do we idolize a large chunk of concrete baking in the Florida sun? Because, while we would never say it when we’re sober (or in a crowded room), sometimes we scientists are jealous of engineers and the obviousness of their endeavors.
Need to go to space? Build a launchpad.
But what if you need to make advances in theoretical and applied science to enable humans to live in relative harmony with the biosphere, such that we don’t all go extinct?
Wouldn't it be so nice just to build a fucking launch pad. But alas, these are the problems of our times. This is our fight.
In 2019, coming off stints in the military, various graduate labs, and various post-doc appointments, three of us scientist types set out to build an organization that practiced science in a way that we hope will become foundational to future researchers, and future generations of humans.
Thank you for taking the time to poke in on us. Please support your local scientists. Be kind to one another. And don't ever forget where we all come from. The Earth is our home, and we can absolutely destroy our own ability to exist here if we keep this shit up.