Monthly Archives: May 2022

It might be hard to fathom now, but the human exploration of the solar system isnt going to stop at the Moon and Mars. Eventually, our descendants will spread throughout the solar system for those interested in space exploration, the question is only of when rather than if. Answering that question is the focus of a new paper released on arXiv by a group of researchers from the US, China, and the Netherlands. Their approach is highly theoretical, but it is likely more accurate than previous estimates, and it gives a reasonable idea of when we could expect to see humans in the outer solar system. The latest they think we could reach the Saturnian system is 2153.

How to even start such a calculation is complicated, so its best to start at the basics, which in this case involves a bit of calculus. To understand when humans will reach further out in the solar system, the authors needed two variables distance and time. In this case, distance is defined as the distance from Earth that humans have traveled, and time is defined as having started at the beginning of the Space Race in 1957 when no human had yet left Earth.

Another critical data point is when humans made it to the Moon in 1969. At a distance of .0026 AU, it wasnt very far into the solar system but was a start. The next step in exploration is still speculative at this point, but the authors set up two different scenarios for when humanity will reach Mars. Given the launch windows, they estimate that the first humans will realistically set foot on the Red Planet in 2038, which is when NASAs Artemis program is planning for. But they also recognize that, given the history of delays in the human space exploration program of late, it could be as late as 2048. Using this separate starting point, they develop a delayed timeline of the rest of the exploration steps, and, as it is exponential, it has a correspondingly big impact on the dates of other milestones.

Reaching Mars certainly isnt the only factor impacting the exploration of the rest of the solar system. The authors use two other variables NASAs budget and the level of space exploration technologies.

Using NASAs budget might seem relatively biased, as the agency only represents one country, even if that country does have the worlds most extensive space program. However, it can act as a proxy for space exploration funding more generally, though the private sector has been gaining more attention recently. There is undoubtedly debate within the space community about whether the first person on Mars will even be from a governmental agency. Either way, using NASAs budget as a variable in the equation unlocks a relatively simple linear relationship between time and a non-inflation-adjusted budget.

Technological advancement is harder to quantify, but the authors use a model of the number of papers published in a given year that mention deep space exploration as a proxy for the level of technology necessary to complete those missions. The relationship they found for that metric of the number of papers over time is exponential, reaching a high of almost 2,000 papers per year recently.

This combination of linear and exponential relationships results in an equation that can be solved by plugging in the data points for distance and time of the beginning of the space race, the first crewed landing on the Moon, and the (still hypothetical) first crewed landing on Mars. From that model, dates of milestones begin to tumble out. Humanity could reach the Asteroid Belt in 2073, Jupiters system in 2103, and finally Saturn as early as 2132. As discussed above, there are some significant potential differences based on the uncertainty of the planned Mars landing. Still, the general trend is one of exponential exploration, as long as we continue with our current level of technological progress and budgetary levels. That would be music to any space fans ears.

Learn More:Rosen et al. Impact of Economic Constraints on the Projected Timeframe for Human-Crewed Deep Space ExplorationUT The Value of Space ExplorationUT Artemis 1 Probably wont Launch Until August

Lead Image:Image of Saturn taken by CassiniCredit NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute

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Forget About Mars, When Will Humans be Flying to Saturn? - Universe Today

A cubesat mission has a big objective to verify a keystone of NASA's future lunar operations.

CAPSTONE, short for "Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment," will occupy an orbit around the moon that has never been used before, to test out the Gateway space station's path to support future Artemis astronauts on the lunar surface.

NASA officials held a press conference and status update on the mission Wednesday (May 25) following news that the CAPSTONE mission will launch no earlier than June 6. The window extends through June 22. (It's not CAPSTONE's first delay; the cubesat was originally supposed to launch in 2021, but COVID-related issues pushed back the schedule to 2022, and it has also been delayed slightly a few times this year.)

CAPSTONE is scheduled to launch from New Zealand aboard aRocket LabElectron rocket equipped with a Lunar Photon upper stage.The microwave-oven-sized spacecraft's mission is to settle into a near rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) around the moon.

Related:Rocket Lab and its Electron booster (photos)

CAPSTONE will verify the stability of the orbit, which can be affected by mass concentrations (mascons) near the moon's surface and other factors. NASA is keen to get such information before launching the the high-profile Gateway space station to a lunar NRHO later in the 2020s.

"Beyond our support of the Artemis program, part of what makes this mission compelling from from my perspective is how it is pushing forward our desire to increase the pace of space exploration," Christopher Baker, small spacecraft technology program executive at NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, said during Wednesday's press conference.

Baker noted that CAPSTONE is built and managed by commercial partners; the nearly $14 million mission's project management is led by Colorado company Advanced Space. He said that involving commercial space in a lunar-class mission is "helping support not just our major human exploration program but also helping us expand the capability of small missions to reach new destinations."

CAPSTONE's NRHO will take the cubesat within 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) of the lunar surface near the south pole at its lowest point, and as high up as 43,500 miles (70,000 km).

The low approach to the moon will eventually allow access for astronauts to land on the surface and to return to Gateway, provided that the orbit is verified as desired. An NHRO also allows for efficient fuel usage, which is useful for a tiny cubesat, along with eclipse-free operations allowing the solar-powered Gateway to receive continual sunlight, Bradley Cheetham, Advanced Space CEO and principal investigator of CAPSTONE, said during the press conference.

The only other projects to attempt any three-body orbits around the moon include China's Chang'e 4 mission to the moon's far side and a previous robotic NASA mission called (somewhat confusingly, as Cheetham noted) ARTEMIS.

The older ARTEMIS stands for "Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun." The mission was repurposed from two of five spacecraft used for a NASA heliophysics constellation of satellites called THEMIS, which operated between 2007 and 2010.

Two spacecraft, renamed ARTEMIS-P1 and ARTEMIS-P2, tested out station-keeping (opens in new tab) around Lagrange points (gravitationally stable points between bodies) near the moon. Cheetham was working at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland during that period and said that the mission inspired him to enter graduate school for a Ph.D.

"That mission started the passion that I had for these unique orbits, that really led to the growth of these ideas and, ultimately, the CAPSTONE mission," Cheetham said.

CAPSTONE mission team members aim to verify predicted fuel usage in the NRHO, as well as how well ground navigation does in terms of tracking the cubesat, he noted.

"We have a great idea how that works in a lab here in Denver. We need to figure out how it works on a spacecraft at the moon, and there's a lot of nuance of those signals," Cheetham said.

CAPSTONE also aims to test spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation and communications systems with NASA'sLunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been circling the moon since 2009. This is no small challenge, given that LRO was not designed to do such communications when it was launched.

Cheetham said he has been talking with NASA Goddard to learn how to make this happen, which has yielded "tremendous learning on what those future systems will need to be like, so that we can have spacecraft at the moon talking to each other."

These future "peer-to-peer networks" would allow spacecraft to exchange vital information on positions and status and grow their capabilities from there, he said.

Whenever it launches next month, orbital dynamics dictate that CAPSTONE will arrive at the moon on Oct. 15, with more or less time spent in transit depending on its departure date from Earth.

The cubesat is scheduled to operate in its orbit for at least six months, although opportunities are available for extensions assuming the spacecraft remains healthy and it produces viable science or engineering to allow for extra funding for a mission extension.

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NASA-funded CAPSTONE moon mission seeks to go where no cubesat has gone before - Space.com

Astra CEO Chris Kemp said the space industry is on the verge of becoming as ubiquitous as the internet.

"Space will be the next big platform," Kemp told Insider in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "There is a tremendous amount of opportunity to solve problems here on Earth in space," he added.

Kemp, who cofounded the aerospace company in 2016, highlighted several practical uses for space technology, like satellites, including tracking anything from water levels and energy to weather on Earth.

As space travel in the US has become more privatized, thousands of companies have stepped into the sector. The Astra CEO compared the recent interest in the space industry to the internet boom in the 90s.

In December, Space Tech Analytics found that there are over 10,000 private space tech companies collectively valued at over $4 trillion in the world. Earlier this month, Citigroup reported the space industry should reach $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2040.

Space exploration isn't just about colonizing Mars or putting boots back on the Moon. Tech entrepreneurs like SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have long presented space travel as a solution to climate change by moving people or industrial work off Earth, but Kemp sees its potential for everyday commercial use.

"The thing about Astra is we are a space tech company, we aren't a space travel company, space tourism, space solutions company," he said. "There are a bunch of companies out there that are focused on rockets. We are focused on space services that can be consumed by our customers."

Astra is breaking into the satellite launch market and competing for contracts with companies building broadband satellite constellations like OneWeb and Amazon's Kuiper competitors to SpaceX's Starlink service. In March, Astra successfully deployed its first group of satellites after failing its very first operational payload launch the month before, Space.com reported.

But as interest in space continues to grow, Kemp said it cannot go unregulated, pointing to laws like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 which have gone decades without scrutiny. The CEO said satellite data could quickly raise ethical concerns or issues related to national security.

Over the past few years, the number of satellites that have been launched into Earth's lower orbit (LEO) have skyrocketed. In 2021, there were over 7,000 satellites in LEO, according to the United Nation's Outer Space Objects Index.

And the number is expected to grow exponentially in coming years. SpaceX has said it plans to create a megaconstellation of over 42,000 Starlink satellites. NASA and astronomers have expressed concern over the growing number of satellites.

In February, the federal agency said the satellites could increase the potential for collisions in outer space and potentially interfere with future NASA missions. Astronomers have said the satellites could negatively impact astronomical research.

"We are trying to find this balance," Kemp said, speaking of regulations. "It could be chaos, but with the appropriate level of governance we could have a global network of networks that connects every single billions devices on the planet."

"We have to create an economy that in order to participate you have to conform to the norms and somebody has to find the norms," Kemp added.

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Astra CEO: space is next big platform, we need regulations - Business Insider

Chris Kemp, founder and CEO of Astra, speaks during the Skybridge Capital SALT New York 2021 conference in New YorkREUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Astra CEO Chris Kemp said the space industry will enable new technologies on Earth.

Kemp compared the growing industry to the internet boom in the '90s.

He said the industry will need a global governance system in order to succeed.

Astra CEO Chris Kemp said the space industry is on the verge of becoming as ubiquitous as the internet.

"Space will be the next big platform," Kemp told Insider in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "There is a tremendous amount of opportunity to solve problems here on Earth in space," he added.

Kemp, who cofounded the aerospace company in 2016, highlighted several practical uses for space technology, like satellites, including tracking anything from water levels and energy to weather on Earth.

As space travel in the US has become more privatized, thousands of companies have stepped into the sector. The Astra CEO compared the recent interest in the space industry to the internet boom in the 90s.

In December, Space Tech Analytics found that there are over 10,000 private space tech companies collectively valued at over $4 trillion in the world. Earlier this month, Citigroup reported the space industry should reach $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2040.

Space exploration isn't just about colonizing Mars or putting boots back on the Moon. Tech entrepreneurs like SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have long presented space travel as a solution to climate change by moving people or industrial work off Earth, but Kemp sees its potential for everyday commercial use.

"The thing about Astra is we are a space tech company, we aren't a space travel company, space tourism, space solutions company," he said. "There are a bunch of companies out there that are focused on rockets. We are focused on space services that can be consumed by our customers."

Astra is breaking into the satellite launch market and competing for contracts with companies building broadband satellite constellations like OneWeb and Amazon's Kuiper competitors to SpaceX's Starlink service. In March, Astra successfully deployed its first group of satellites after failing its very first operational payload launch the month before, Space.com reported.

Story continues

But as interest in space continues to grow, Kemp said it cannot go unregulated, pointing to laws like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 which have gone decades without scrutiny. The CEO said satellite data could quickly raise ethical concerns or issues related to national security.

Over the past few years, the number of satellites that have been launched into Earth's lower orbit (LEO) have skyrocketed. In 2021, there were over 7,000 satellites in LEO, according to the United Nation's Outer Space Objects Index.

And the number is expected to grow exponentially in coming years. SpaceX has said it plans to create a megaconstellation of over 42,000 Starlink satellites. NASA and astronomers have expressed concern over the growing number of satellites.

In February, the federal agency said the satellites could increase the potential for collisions in outer space and potentially interfere with future NASA missions. Astronomers have said the satellites could negatively impact astronomical research.

"We are trying to find this balance," Kemp said, speaking of regulations. "It could be chaos, but with the appropriate level of governance we could have a global network of networks that connects every single billions devices on the planet."

"We have to create an economy that in order to participate you have to conform to the norms and somebody has to find the norms," Kemp added.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Astra CEO says space will be the next big platform as more satellites take orbit, but we need some regulations to avoid chaos - Yahoo News

New Delhi [India] May 27 (ANI/NewsVoir): In its effort to introduce new learning experiences and innovation, WhiteHat Jr will be enabling its students to access a live satellite to encourage space exploration and give a first-hand experience in space science. The satellite, named Ayana, has been developed by leading space service organisation EnduroSat with inputs from and expertise of the WhiteHat Jr team. Ayana was part of the payload carried by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare rocket, launched on May 25 at 18:35 GMT, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. Ayana will create a one of a kind applied science opportunity for thousands of students who will be able to send commands to, and access data from a live satellite operating in space.

Ayana is a result of the WhiteHat Jr's "Code A Satellite" programme, which is designed for WhiteHat Jr students to ideate, create, and explore space with the help of Ayana. Before accessing Ayana, students will be required to possess a basic understanding of coding to ensure that they are able to unlock the true potential of the program. Students will get a unique opportunity to: - Track and monitor Ayana's journey in real-time through an exclusive 90-degree camera

- Observe Earth's landscapes and weather - Understand the correlation between power and sun sensor values

- Simulate satellite behaviour by tinkering with the sensor values Speaking about the initiative, Ananya Tripathi, WhiteHat Jr CEO said, "We always believe in creativity, exploration and innovation-beyond the limits. Satellite and space technology are often considered out of reach and difficult to access by students. With the Code a Satellite programme, we will be able to democratise space technology and provide our students with an exceptional opportunity to interact with an orbiting satellite in real time. We are confident this will excite and encourage thousands of brilliant young minds across the globe and help them code like space scientists as they build their projects."

From analysing sensor data (there are 30+ sensors onboard the satellite, including infrared, temperature, solar, and gyroscopic) to controlling cameras and taking pictures, to relaying messages to and fro, the applied science opportunities that students can access are vast. More than 500 kids have already enrolled for the 'Code-a-Satellite' program to become space coders through this program. WhiteHat Jr is the first edtech company in India which is making live satellite accessible to children through this program. WhiteHat Jr was launched with the singular mission of empowering kids to become creators versus consumers of technology. The company has channelled students' natural creativity through an engaging curriculum and personalised, live teacher attention. WhiteHat Jr's 11,000+ strong teacher workforce conducts thousands of LIVE online classes every day on its proprietary platform. Cumulatively, the company has conducted more than 8.5 million classes to date. WhiteHat Jr was acquired by BYJU'S, the world's leading and India's largest Edtech company, in 2020.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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WhiteHat Jr and EnduroSat partner to enable kids to "Code a Satellite"; launched Ayana Satellite to encourage space exploration -...

In 61 years of human space exploration, NASA has sent 336 people to space. But how many of these astronauts are women? 45.

In the 1950s, before any American had been to space, Dr Randolph Lovelace considered women as good candidates for spaceflight. In fact, the doctor began to test female pilots at his clinic in New Mexico in 1960. In his tests, Lovelace found women to be just as capable as their male competitors, with a much higher percentage of women passing the rigorous tests. In fact, women excelled in some of the most crucial aspects of the assessment including isolation tests.

NASA vows that the Artemis project will land the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon by 2025

But despite these promising results, Lovelace raised concerns about the potential for the menstrual cycle to alter performance during spaceflight, and it was another 23 years before Dr Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. Even in more recent years, female astronauts continue to find themselves greatly outnumbered. However, the upcoming Artemis missions hold the promise of fresh air (excuse the pun) and new opportunities.

NASA vows that the Artemis project will land the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon by 2025. The project is a series of three increasingly complex missions, starting with a test flight that will launch an uncrewed Orion capsule into a distant orbit around the Moon before returning to Earth. After several delays and setbacks, including a failed wet dress rehearsal in April that resulted in the rocket being rolled back off the launchpad, Artemis I is now due to launch no earlier than August 2022.

Despite being an uncrewed mission, the Artemis I rocket will carry three very important passengers: mannequins. These mannequins will be used to study the effects of space travel on the human body. In particular, two of the mannequins are designed to allow NASA scientists to study the effects of radiation in female astronauts.

The female mannequins, Helga and Zohar, are specially designed to measure the effects of radiation by mimicking the female body and the organs within

For over half a decade, women have fought against a multitude of arguments stating why they should not be allowed in space. These arguments included menstruation, differences in personality and strength, and a lack of military training. Although many of these concerns have been resolved (or debunked), one discomforting possibility remains: female astronauts may be at greater risk of radiation-induced illnesses.

Sources of powerful radiation are abundant in space, and during flight, astronauts are no longer naturally protected by an atmosphere as we are here on Earth. Some organs such as breasts and ovaries are particularly sensitive to radiation, putting female astronauts at greater risk of developing cancer than their male colleagues.

The female mannequins, Helga and Zohar, are specially designed to measure the effects of radiation by mimicking the female body and the organs within. Designed by Thomas Berger and his colleagues at the German Aerospace Centre in Cologne, the two mannequins host radiation detectors in sensitive regions within the torso. While Helga will act as a control study, Zohar will wear a specialised radiation-blocking vest called AstroRad built by the Israeli Space Agency. AstroRad vests have been trialled by astronauts on the International Space Station to test their fit, comfort, and mobility. The difference in the two mannequins attire will allow scientists to determine the effectiveness of the vests at protecting vital organs.

Each of the two mannequins will host 5600 passive radiation sensors that will count the total radiation dose over the course of the mission. They will also contain a series of battery-powered sensors to create a timeline of the radiation dose each mannequin experiences throughout the trip. Researchers can use this data to create a 3D image of the radiation exposure of the mannequins and identify the most vulnerable areas on the female body.

The use of female bodied mannequins in the Artemis I mission is key for the future of female astronauts, allowing scientists the opportunity to create inclusive designs, and compile vital, sex-specific data. Furthermore, NASA has shown that their promises arent empty and that moving forward we can, and should, expect support for female astronauts.

NASA intends to use the Artemis project to establish a long-term presence on the Moon. They will apply the knowledge they gain from areas on and around the Moon to make their next big leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars. Perhaps we will see true female representation there too.

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Artemis I: The uncrewed space mission carrying unusual passengers - The Boar

Before humans return to the Moons surface by 2025 through NASAs Artemis program, the space agency is sending a rover to scope out the hydration situation.

The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, is about as large as a golf cart. Its expected to spend 100 Earth days searching the moons south polar region for water ice deposits below the surface in 2023.

You can see VIPER for yourself this Memorial Day weekend at Chabot Space & Science Center, which is introducing the first full-scale replica of the robot to the public as part of the NASA Artemis Preview Weekend hosted by NASAs Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. The event is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.

VIPERs mission will follow up work done by the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite in 2009 that detected evidence of water ice at the Moons poles. VIPER is making the trip to better learn how much water ice is up there and in what form. Scientists at NASAs Ames Research Center in Mountain View are leading the VIPER mission and already created high-resolution maps of the lunar surface to plan routes for the rover.

The Artemis missions will return astronauts to the Moon and land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.

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Photos: NASA previews a new water-hunting lunar rover in Oakland - The Mercury News

LONG BEACH, Calif. Supply chain disruptions continue to pose a challenge for the space industry, but some see those disruptions as an opportunity for new approaches and innovation.

During a panel discussion on supply chain issues at Space Tech Expo here May 24, government and industry officials said the industry continued to feel the effects of broader supply chain issues that was slowing its growth.

We want to buy products and services at scale, said Brig. Gen. Steve Bucky Butow, director of the space portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit, citing efforts like satellite constellations for the Space Development Agency (SDA) for missile tracking and communications. You cant do that without healthy supply chains.

Chris Winslett, Lockheed Martin program director for its work on the SDA Transport Layer, said that many smallsat manufacturers had, in recent years, shifted away from space-grade components because of their long lead times in favor of more widely available commercial and automotive-grade alternatives. But with the issues of the pandemic, we actually saw a lot of commercial and automotive parts have longer lead times than space parts, he said. Its been an interesting few years.

Ron Faith, president and chief operating officer of RBC Signals, which operates a network of ground stations, said his company has seen a significant impact in lead times for components such as antennas, radios and other electronics. Theyve stretched out from what used to be weeks to now many, many months, he said.

Supply chain issues have also affected logistics. Faith said the company traditionally transported six-meter antennas, manufactured in the United States, to ground stations around the world through traditional shipping, but now transports them by air freight. It does increase costs, but quite frankly the time compression is way more important right now given the other challenges that are in the supply chain.

Those problems can slow the growth of companies. We see companies that, during a healthy supply chain and healthy markets, would be thriving, said Jordan Noone, co-founder and general partner at Embedded Ventures who previously cofounded Relativity Space. Today, many of those companies have major struggles.

Those struggles, he said, also present an opportunity to shore up the supply chain. He cited technologies like additive manufacturing and digital engineering to speed up the design and production of components. You can modify the factory at the speed of software, he said. That brings that flywheel of software to the aerospace manufacturing world.

The current supply chain disruptions, some panelists said, are a sign that some technologies, like electronics, whose production shifted to outside the United States in recent decades to reduce costs should be onshored, or brought back to the United States. Doing so could reduce supply chain reductions but increase costs.

Does onshoring have to be more expensive? countered Jeffrey Smith, element architect for deep space logistics for NASAs Gateway program, arguing innovative technologies can reduce costs. We have to find a way to do it, especially for space exploration.

Its really imperative that we evolve and pull our acquisition heads out of the 1960s, said Butow. Look at how the industry is postured today, how to be more innovative, how to rapidly adopt and incentivize new technologies and new methodologies, and build and grow a healthy supply chain.

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Supply chain challenges also present opportunities for the space industry - SpaceNews

West Elementary School sixth graders recently visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, as part of an annual field trip that was added back to the calendar following a hiatus due to the pandemic the past two years.

Sixth grade students spent part of their science classes studying space exploration and planetary systems earlier this year and the trip was a chance to expand on those lessons and see the concepts in action.

We began with understanding our place in the universe. In this, we discussed our solar system and did group research on each of the planets. The history of space exploration was next, sixth grade science teacher Jessica Posey said. We did research on Project Mercury, Gemini, Skylab, and even the International Space Station. We discussed the Apollo missions and watched a documentary. The students were so excited to have the chance to actually see, in person, all this space history up close and personal.

As for highlights from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, students most enjoyed the G-Force ride, and learned about cutting-edge NASA tech currently in the works, including a new suit with a helmet that will allow astronauts to have a 360-degree view.

I got to ride on the Multi-Axis Trainer. It was very fast. I couldnt tell which direction I was going, because it was going everywhere at the same time, student Brittlee Hopper said. It felt like I was drifting off into space. Also, it felt like there was no gravity while on the ride.

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To infinity and beyond - Cullman Times Online

HOUSTON, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Axiom Space, a leader in human spaceflight currently building the world's first commercial space station, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Italian government to further their existing collaboration, including the potential for the development of space infrastructure integrated with the future Axiom Station. The agreement was signed by the President and CEO of Axiom Space, Michael Suffredini, and Italy's Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition, Vittorio Colao, on 19 May in Rome, Italy.

While the MOU is exploratory in nature, areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include mutual definition of potential user requirements as well as technological solutions and operational concepts for an Italian module that could later be developed and integrated into the Axiom Space Station. The project could take the form of a public-private framework with the governance and business models developed over time. Other areas of cooperation include collaborative development and implementation of research supporting space exploration and technology, including advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, on-orbit manufacturing, space security, aerospace medicine, simulation and robotics, and other areas of mutual interest as determined by the two parties, as well as training and mission operations.

The MOU a first-of-its-kind approach between the Italian government and a private international corporation - is the latest effort between Italy and the Houston-based Axiom Space. Earlier this year, Axiom announced Italian Air Force (ItAF) Colonel Walter Villadei as the company's first international professional astronaut. He is currently in training in Houston. Col. Villadei has been selected by Axiom as a backup on the Ax-2 mission, and an initial agreement has been signed for a reservation on a mission targeting late 2023. Based on ItAF's significant competencies in the field of astronautics, modeling and simulation, and aerospace medicine, such a mission will allow the implementation of multidisciplinary scientific and technological experiments from the Italian research and industrial community and will further strengthen the relationship being established under the MOU just signed.

Together, these agreements between Axiom and Italy demonstrate the promise and viability of business to government (B2G) relationships that can help grow and expand the commercial space economy across multiple industries and market sectors. A Joint Working Group, composed of representatives from Axiom and institutions and industrial representatives appointed by the Italian Government, will pursue the implementation of the MOU.

"As one of the first European countries invested in the International Space Station, this agreement with the Italian government will bring an experienced partner to Axiom Station, helping to open a new paradigm as we build this next generation microgravity platform in low Earth orbit", said Michael Suffredini. "The MOU is a significant addition to Axiom Space's long-standing relationship with Italy and reflects our shared commitment to expand global access to space and grow the LEO economy while advancing science and technology to benefit all of humanity."

Axiom Station will provide the international community with a modern, efficient, and cost-effective space infrastructure that enables microgravity research, further technological developments, and operations to continue seamlessly after the ISS end of life. The collaboration between Axiom and Italy will harness microgravity for the development of advanced scientific research, innovative technologies, on-orbit manufacturing, and space exploration.

"The agreement intends to deepen cooperation for the development and implementation of projects in the aerospace sector[it represents] the enrichment of the excellent and historical bilateral relations between the United States and Italy, with cooperation also in the field of commercial space flight seen as an opportunity to develop a new chapter of the human presence around the Earth and on the Moon for the benefit of the whole humanity", according to a statementreleased by the Italian government.

The agreement with Italy adds to Axiom Space's list of recent accomplishments in its efforts to grow the commercial space industry. Earlier this month, Axiom Space celebrated the groundbreaking at the company's new, long-term headquarters at Houston Spaceport, which will be home to the development and construction of Axiom Station. Axiom Space also recently welcomed home the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) crew after successfully completing the first all-private astronaut mission to the ISS. The company has also signed agreements with several nations, including Hungary and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fly on future space missions.

About Axiom SpaceAxiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

SOURCE Axiom Space

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Axiom Space and Italian Government Sign Historic MOU to Expand Commercial Utilization of Space - PR Newswire