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This year, the Human Performance in Space Department of International Space University’s Space Studies Program explored further than ever before. Led by Dr. Virginia Wotring, ISU Professor, and Dr. Heather Allaway, Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University and ISU Global Faculty member,

Until recently, only a few States were able to access outer space. Since then, however, driven by technological advances, in particular by reusable orbital-class rockets and the resulting reduction in launching costs, more and more private companies have been able to enter the ‘space race’, and we can witness today the emergence of a significant commercial space economy.

Vector Space Biosciences has developed a platform of computational solutions designed to accelerate the development of countermeasures against diseases associated with stressors during spaceflight, such as microgravity and radiation, to protect and repair the human body when on a lunar base or a mission to Mars, the company said.

NASA has rolled out its Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft for the third time to the launch pad to launch the 42-day Artemis 1 mission by early next month. The Agency has started prelaunch preparations, including checking connections, servicing the solid rocket boosters, and program-specific engineering tests.

The above, mischievous words, “There is life on Mars: we put it there”, are on the part of the renowned NASA Astrobiologist and member of ISU’s faculty, Dr. Chris McKay.  The reality is that we humans, via our early – and unsterile -- Martian landers have already contaminated the Red Planet.  Yes, we have; yes, we have! 

In this Space Café Radio – SpaceWatch.Global Senior Editor and Space Café Italy Host Dr. Emma Gatti spoke with Nico Dettmann, Group Leader for Lunar Exploration Development Projects at the European Space Research and Technology Center in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. In this episode, Nico discusses ESA's involvement in the Artemis program. Specifically, Nico discusses the Service Module, which he refers to as "the power-house" of the mission

Space In Africa published the the African Space Industry Annual Report displaying how space economy is becoming a strategic tool for boosting the national economy and contributing toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.  According to the report, the African space industry was valued at USD 19.49 billion in 2021.

Skyrora has successfully completed the static fire test of the second stage of its Skyrora XL orbital rocket, hosted by Discover Space UK at Machrihanish Airbase, taking the company one step closer to entering commercial operations planned to start in 2023 from the SaxaVord Space Centre, Skyrora said.

Florida Space infrastructure company, Redwire Corporation will develop the only commercially owned and operated spaceflight-qualified plant growth platform, Redwire Greenhouse, in space. The platform is expected to launch to the ISS in spring 2023.  Redwire Greenhouse will not only deliver valuable insights for crop scientists but will also expand our ability to grow full crops in space.

It has been long recognized that space technologies not only benefit space exploration but offer direct and tangible benefits to people on Earth.  Satellites have the capability of observing Earth’s surface from space with constant revisit times.  We have grown reliant on satellites for weather forecasting, military reconnaissance, transportation, agriculture, and many more services