COSMIC - The Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities’ Post

NASA just announced some seriously cool stuff! They're backing six wild ideas for future space missions through their NIAC program. Picture this: a lunar railway, telescopes made of fluid, and even a propulsion system using plasma! These concepts might sound like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, but they're real projects that could change how we explore space. Each idea is getting up to $600,000 to keep developing over the next two years. If they pass this phase, they could become actual missions in the future! It's awesome to see NASA pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration. https://lnkd.in/eg6yj5eG

NASA Seeks Public Insight on Future Microgravity Research and Development in Low Earth Orbit A waxing gibbous moon rises over the Indian Ocean as the International Space Station orbited 266 miles above. Credit: NASA In an exciting move towards shaping the future of human spaceflight, NASA has officially opened the doors for feedback on its latest strategy for microgravity research in low Earth orbit (LEO). Recognizing the need to adapt and evolve alongside burgeoning commercial space endeavors, NASA is calling upon U.S. industry, academia, international partners, and other stakeholders to contribute towards refining their newly drafted goals and objectives. On Monday, NASA shared its draft which delineates 42 key points across six primary areas: science, exploration-enabling research and technology development, commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, international cooperation, and workforce and engagement. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasized the significance of building upon established spaceflight programs to expand our understanding of human life in space. As commercial platforms start to take shape, determining the right objectives is crucial for advancing future sci... #lowEarthorbitstrategy #NASAmicrogravityresearch #publicfeedbackinitiative

Maintaining human health and performance is one of the most crucial challenges of space exploration. As we set our sights on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, supporting research in this field could be the key to establishing a commercial ecosystem in space. Read more in my article for Space Scout:

Celebrating Human Ingenuity: Happy International Day of Human Spaceflight! Today, on April 12th, we celebrate the International Day of Human Spaceflight! This day commemorates the historic moment in 1961 when Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into space, forever changing the course of exploration. Gagarin’s 108-minute orbit around Earth marked the dawn of a new era — the space age. Since then, humanity has made incredible strides in space exploration, from the first moon landing to the construction of international space stations. But why is space exploration important? Beyond the awe-inspiring wonder of the cosmos, space exploration has a profound impact on our lives here on Earth. Space-based technologies have revolutionized communication, navigation, and weather forecasting. Research conducted in space has led to advancements in medicine, materials science, and renewable energy. The International Day of Human Spaceflight isn’t just about celebrating past achievements. It’s a day to look towards the future and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. We are on the cusp of a new era of space exploration, with missions to Mars and beyond on the horizon. Here at Knowinnovation, we’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of space explorers. We encourage you to celebrate this day by: - Learning about the history of space exploration. - Reading about the inspiring stories of astronauts and space scientists. - Engaging with educational resources about space exploration. - Participating in events or activities celebrating spaceflight. Let’s use this day to ignite the spirit of innovation and inspire future generations to reach for the stars! #InternationalDayofHumanSpaceFlight #SpaceExploration #Knowinnovation

The Rockwell Integrated Space Plan (ISP) Developed by Ron Jones while he was at Rockwell International during the 1980s and 1990s, is an extensive and visionary roadmap outlining a possible future of human activities in space stretching over the next century and beyond. It encompasses timelines, milestones, and technological goals necessary to expand human presence to the Moon, Mars, and possibly further into the solar system. The ISP presented a comprehensive view of future space exploration and industry, combining elements like space manufacturing, lunar bases, Mars colonies, and even asteroid mining. It was one of the first documents to lay out a detailed, long-term plan that went beyond mere exploration. The plan was used internally at Rockwell to inspire and inform employees about the potential future their work was contributing towards. It also served as a tool to communicate with NASA and other stakeholders about the potential pathways and technologies that could be developed for future space endeavors. The ISP has been used in educational settings and by space advocacy groups to promote interest in space exploration and to illustrate the interconnected nature of future space technology development. Critics argue that the plan was too optimistic, particularly in its timelines and the technological leaps it assumed. The complexity of space travel, life support systems, and the economic demands of such undertakings were perhaps underestimated. The economic models needed to support such an expansive plan were not fully developed. Critics point out that without a clear, sustainable financial framework, such a grand vision remains more of a utopian dream than a feasible plan. The ISP assumed significant technological advances that have not yet been realized. For example, technologies for long-duration human spaceflight, life support in extraterrestrial environments, and efficient propulsion systems are still under development and present major challenges. Some critics felt that the plan spread its focus too thinly across too many objectives, lacking prioritization based on practicality and immediate needs. This scattergun approach could dilute efforts and resources, detracting from more achievable goals. The Rockwell Integrated Space Plan, while not officially adopted by NASA or any other space agency, remains a fascinating artifact of space exploration culture. It represents both the boundless optimism and the daunting challenges that characterize humanity's quest to explore and inhabit space. #Spaceplan #Future #Rockwell

Phase VI space gloves used on the international space station, 2017 - SPACE UTOPIA “In the continuation of my series on the space adventure ”Space Utopia“ I went to Iceland in August 2021 to photograph the Iceland Moon Mars Simulation expedition. It is a collaboration between the Icelandic Space Agency and Professor Michael Lye with the participation of NASA/Johnson Space Center whose goal is to test a new spacesuit of the Artemis generation: the MS2. The sites for the Iceland Moon Mars Simulation Expedition were selected for their resemblance to an environment similar to that which would be found on the Martian surface and which could serve as landing, research and habitation sites for future planned missions to the Moon and Mars. These sites include lava tunnels, glaciers, glacial debris fields, basal- tic black sands, volcanic craters, and remote areas containing buried ice. Research will determine how astronauts can train to identify signs of Mar- tian life using geothermal energy and explore how frozen water sources in the polar regions of the Moon and Mars can be reused as fuel for rockets and for long-term human habitation. Iceland has played an important role in the history of space exploration. In the 1960s, NASA sent the Apollo astronauts to northern Iceland to train for their missions to the Moon.” SPACE UTOPIA by Vincent Fournier now on view @lagaleriehk 📅 25 January- 23 March ⏰ Tue - Sat, 11am - 7pm 📍 La Galerie, 74 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Every day, we can read news that shows how fast we're making strides that bring us closer to being a true spacefaring species. Sierra Space's Dream Chaser is another step forward. This shuttle-like craft, smaller and more versatile than the Space Shuttle, has recently completed rigorous testing at NASA's facility, preparing for its inaugural mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Dream Chaser is a leap forward in space technology, being the world’s only commercial runway-capable spaceplane. It's designed to carry cargo to the ISS on the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket. But what makes it truly special is its potential to democratize access to space. Backed by a substantial contract from NASA, Dream Chaser is set to open shared access to space and foster international cooperation. Of course, the idea is to ferry cargo or astronauts to the ISS; but not only! It's truly about creating a platform for shared space exploration, where international collaboration can define missions beyond those primary ones. Dream Chaser is uniquely adaptable to meet a variety of mission requirements, making it a versatile tool in global space operations. Dream Chaser's success is our collective success, and I love how it gets us one step closer to making the space economy a reality for all. ________ If you want more insights about cutting-edge space tech like this, join 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀 - my newsletter that demystifies the space economy in under 10 minutes a week: https://lnkd.in/gVFWtJmy 🚀✨ 🎥 Credit: Interesting Engineering on IG #space #spaceexploration #technology #future #innovation

🚀🌌 Exciting News for Space Research Enthusiasts!🌌🚀 The NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop (HRP IWS) has officially kicked off with its Day 1 activities! This prestigious event stands at the forefront of discussing progress, results, and future directions in research aimed at ensuring safe, productive, and efficient human spaceflight. 🔗 [https://lnkd.in/entK_tTt] This year’s meeting is a hybrid event, meaning you can join in person or enjoy the convenience of tuning in from anywhere in the world. All sessions are being live-streamed, making it accessible to a global audience. The best part? It’s completely free to attend! Why should you join? - Hear directly from NASA and our international partners about cutting-edge research. - Learn about innovative solutions to mitigate risks associated with long-duration space flights. - Engage with experts and pioneers in the field of human space exploration. This is an unparalleled opportunity to gain insights into the collaborative efforts driving forward our understanding of human spaceflight. Whether you're a researcher, student, or space enthusiast, the HRP IWS offers valuable perspectives on the challenges and achievements in the realm of space exploration. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of the conversation on the future of human space exploration. Tune in, participate, and let's explore the universe together! #NASA #HRPIWS #SpaceResearch #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceExploration #internationalspacestation #internationalcollaboration

Today on the anniversary of Sputnik’s launch in 1957 (4th October), I had the privilege of attending Major Tim Peake CMG talk ‘Astronaut’ with my teenage son. Peake shared his personal experiences aboard the International Space Station and offered a compelling look at humanity’s next steps in space exploration. He emphasised that our return to the Moon, through initiatives like NASA’s Artemis, is not just a symbolic gesture but a crucial step toward establishing a sustainable human presence beyond Earth. Our existence on our shared fragile, green, blue and white ball floating through space needs a backup! Peake described the Moon as a training ground for the ultimate mission: sending humans to Mars. The technologies, habitats, and systems tested on the Moon will pave the way for deeper space exploration. For my son and me, this vision of the future was inspiring - Mars isn’t just a distant dream anymore; it’s becoming a real target within our lifetimes. Peake spoke about how these missions represent a new era of discovery, driven by international collaboration and private enterprise. The talk was a powerful reminder of the potential space exploration has to inspire future generations. As we left, I saw in my son the same sense of wonder and curiosity that Sputnik sparked over 60 years ago. Peake’s message was clear: space is no longer the realm of a select few. It’s a global mission, and the next generation - like my son - will be the ones to take humanity further than ever before, but only through global collaborative efforts.

NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson, discusses the future of space exploration and partnerships with private space companies in a recent interview and article, linked below. Axiom Space and Voyager Space are highlighted among companies working to replace the International Space Station (ISS), which is planned to deorbit in 2031, with commercial working space stations. Additionally, Nelson describes the outlook on private spaceflight and tourism, naming SpaceX Dragon as one spacecraft taking individuals to space outside of NASA related missions. Read more about the feature at https://lnkd.in/eFHKiVK9 Axiom, Voyager, and SpaceX are holdings in The Private Shares Fund as of 6/30/24. To view the full portfolio and learn more about The Private Shares Fund please visit https://lnkd.in/gTeAzvq8 #spaceflight #SpaceExploration https://lnkd.in/eZgVT__2