Welcome to the world of Rock Hopper

Before diving into some news about mining in space, I have a tidbit about something closer to Earth. I'm three chapters into writing the follow-up to my novel Rock Hopper, aptly named Rock Hopper 2. At least that's the working title. Yes, Toru, Vanja and…

Readers of my sci-fi novel Rock Hopper already know the perils of microbes running amok in space, especially on the dark side of the moon. Now, read this sciencealert.com article about a new microbe they have found on the Chinese space station. It should send…

As you might have noticed already, it was the discovery of the asteroid Psyche that inspired me to write Rock Hopper. You can imagine my excitement when NASA announced their mission to reach Psyche with a spacecraft in 2029. It's always interesting to see real…

You know when you come to work and a colleague has the exact same outfit as you? At least, same colors and combinations. It feels a bit eerie, right? Was there a certain vibe in cosmos that day? Is it the beginning of an unconscious…

Space exploration poses a big logistical problem—apart from the other thousands of problems—in that you have to bring exactly what you need because of the weight, space and cost restrictions. And God help you, if your equipment breaks. Then you're out of luck. It could…

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I have to admit to something. One important spaceship in my upcoming novel "Rock Hopper", is inspired in part by the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird jet airplane, used by the United States Air Force (USAF). Airborne for the first time in 1964, it still holds…

I'm getting closer to finishing the novel "Rock Hopper". I've stopped writing and correcting the script. All that is left now in order to publish it, is to find a really great cover design. I always enjoy working with a professional to capture the spirit…

Radio silence is usually a sign that things are about to happen. However, it's probably not compatible with the purpose of a blog like this one, where I'm supposed to keep you updated. I have been busy these last few months working with an editor…

I stumbled across the web site Spaceport Sweden the other day, when doing some research about the Kiruna Airport. I was surprised to learn that the airport also has the ambition to become a spaceport, offering space flights with the Virgin Galactic. The web site…

Yeah, I know. Somewhere out there, there's an author eager to give it to me straight: "Hah, first draft! That's nothing! Nothing, I tell you! Now you must proofread, check your structure, prose, tone; re-write, re-write and re-write, again and again". I'm aware 😬. Still.

Summer in Sweden is great. It's fantastic. The sun, the blue dome above, decorated with fluffy white clouds. You want to be out and about, see people, connect with nature, feel the warm breeze. Do nothing productive. Watching the dog frolicking in the grass. The…

Reading about the spectacular "rapid unscheduled disassembly" of the SpaceX Starship that launched the other day, made me think about some research I did for my upcoming book "Rock Hopper". The Starship is the most powerful rocket as of yet. It has (had?) 33 engines…

The story in "Rock Hopper" takes place several years after an armed conflict that is referred to as "the satellite war". We don't get to know much about it, other that in the long forgotten spoils of war, our main character finds an unexpected opportunity.

The main character in "Rock Hopper" lives in the north of Sweden near the town Jukkasjärvi, today mostly famous for the Icehotel that is built from scratch every winter using - you guessed it - ice. I've stayed at the hotel (well, a version of…

It all started with a number: $10,000,000,000,000,000,000. Yeah, exactly what I thought. That's a lot - A LOT - of money. Some time ago I stumbled upon an article in the Observer about NASA finding an asteroid called "16 Psyche", mostly made of iron and…