Misfit by Robert Heinlein:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Delightful story published in 1939; it shows how an asteroid was moved into a more useful orbit and set up as a space station by a group of young recruits.


('Misfit' by Robert Heinlein)

Select an invention:

Ballistic Calculator - trajectories between planets
An on-board computer for a spaceship to calculate its course and perform other related tasks.

Durite
Super-strong material used to counter reaction-blasts.

Inflatable Roofed Valley - early inflatable reference
A habitat on an asteroid created by placing a tent-like roof over a natural valley or depression, and then inflating it.

Move an Asteroid
Using practical techniques to change the orbit of an asteroid or small moon.

Portable Atomic Heater
Compact source of energy.

Smoke Filter
Allows grizzled spacemen to smoke in space ships.

Synthetic Spider Silk
Artificial fabric thread as strong as steel.

 

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary of Science Fiction Inventions, the Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions, or see what's New.
Find
new authors and technologies - Shop for yourself, your library and your lab.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction
in the News

The Zapata Air Scooter Would Be Great In A Science Fiction Story
re: Robert Heinlein
(11/23/2025)

Thermostabilized Wet Meat Product (NASA Prototype)
re: Various
(11/21/2025)

Could Crystal Batteries Generate Power For Centuries?
re: Edmond Hamilton
(11/19/2025)

India Ponders Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking
re: Jack Vance
(11/17/2025)

Amazon Will Send You Heinlein's Knockdown Cabin
re: Robert Heinlein
(11/15/2025)

Is It Time To Forbid Human Driving?
re: Bernard Brown
(11/13/2025)

Replace The Smartphone With A Connected Edge Node For AI Inference
re: Raymond F. Jones
(11/11/2025)

Artificial Skin For Robots Is Coming Right Along
re: Harl VIncent
(11/9/2025)

Robot Guard Dog On Duty
re: Neal Stephenson
(11/7/2025)

Wearable Artificial Fabric Muscles
re: HG Wells
(11/5/2025)

BrainBridge Concept Transplant Of Human Head Proposed
re: Alexander Belaev
(11/3/2025)

Google's Nano Banana Pro Presents Handwritten Math Solutions
re: Isaac Asimov
(11/1/2025)

Edible Meat-Like Fungus Like Barbara Hambly's Slunch?
re: Barbara Hambly
(10/29/2025)

Sunday Robotics 'Memo' Bot Has Unique Training Glove
re: Robert Heinlein
(10/27/2025)

More SF in the News

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.