Quarter 1 (June – September)
Spotlight
Space Exploration and Sustainable Development
The Space Exploration and Sustainable Development project has made significant strides in the first quarter. Notably, it showcased its work at the Arizona Science Center’s Science With a Twist (STEAM) event and saw substantial growth on its Space for Humans YouTube channel, gaining 457 new subscribers and over 8,000 views for the ‘New Spacefaring Nations’ video.
In addition, the team has been invited to present at the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Accelerate 2024 Conference, a leading global organization focused on equitable and high-quality online education. This recognition highlights the project’s academic relevance and potential to influence discussions around space exploration and sustainability in educational contexts.
On the move
Global Heat Map of Space Activities
Following a productive consultation with Skysong Innovations regarding intellectual property protection, the project has secured copyright eligibility, with potential for patent consideration as it evolves. The team is strategically pursuing intra-institutional collaborations, focusing on the Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute and the School of Earth and Space Exploration. Concurrently, they are exploring funding avenues through the NSF AST program and preparing a resubmission to the AISL program for January 2025. Technical advancements continue, with ongoing improvements to the website and user dashboard.
Lessons from the Past
The project has advanced significantly through a strategic partnership with the Arizona Science Center for exhibition purposes. The team is refining its fundraising approach in collaboration with the ASU New American Film School. The original plan to showcase at the Marston Theater has been replaced with a presentation at the Arizona Science Theater. The project’s pilot film is scheduled for screening to the Interplanetary team in the coming month.
Lunar MVI
The project has made significant strides in team building and industry collaboration. It has successfully integrated undergraduate researchers and graduate supervisors, while securing a cohort of seven industry mentors. The undergraduates have produced comprehensive literature reviews, and the project has acquired secured premium domain names and a skilled artist for its website development. Current priorities include developing publishable research and patentable concepts to attract investors, with two companies already engaged in preliminary discussions.
LunaRights
The team successfully deployed and optimized their website , and are now finalizing comprehensive documentation for user testing. Concurrently, they are crafting pitch presentations for both educational and commercial applications, including a succinct 45-second video showcasing the tool’s capabilities. The preliminary business plan, with completed financial and operational components, is in its final stages. Strategic partnerships with entities such as Astro Robotics and AstroForge are being reinvigorated, while new educational collaborations with Decision Theatre and Ascending Node Technologies are being explored.
OrbitScape
The project has entered a critical phase, marked by the launch of an interactive website and a succinct 45-second demonstration video. These assets, along with targeted pitch presentations, are strategically employed to showcase the tool’s educational and commercial potential. Concurrently, the business plan is in its final stages, with financial and operational frameworks solidified. The team is actively rekindling partnerships with academic institutions and industry collaborators to further the project’s reach and impact.
Project ENTERPRISE
The project has made significant strides this quarter, achieving multiple milestones and producing its inaugural position paper. Concurrently, the team is pursuing funding through proposals to the National Science Foundation and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Center for Academic Partnerships. A notable success was securing $10,000 from JPL for a workshop. Ongoing discussions with industry leaders, including HoneyBee Robotics, are paving the way for expanded collaboration and support.
Revolutionizing Power Beaming Technology
The project has reached critical milestones, completing preliminary design and systems engineering phases while establishing a robust Technological Readiness Level (TRL) advancement strategy. Notably, the team has secured funding of $25,000 from The Luminosity Lab for the project’s hardware development, centering on an innovative 3U cubesat design that will elevate the TRL of power beaming technology.
Space Travelers Archive
The team has made significant strides in advancing their research on space travelers’ psychological experiences. Kim Macharia joined as an advisor, bolstering the project’s expertise. Researchers have identified five crucial datasets and are categorizing materials for accessibility. A working definition of “sense of self” has been established to guide future interviews. Strategic partnerships have been formed, including NYU for video capture and potential collaborations with AstroForge and Blue Origin. These developments position the project for robust growth and impactful research outcomes.
SpaceHACK
The project has made significant strides this quarter, achieving two key milestones. First, the team completed a foundational guide, establishing a robust framework for future implementations of the hackathon. Second, preparations for the upcoming SpaceHACK for Sustainability (S4S) are underway. In collaboration with the University of Toronto and ESPOL in Ecuador. Concurrently, the team is engaging ASU faculty to secure commitments for hosting hackathons in the current academic year. Paris based CY Cergy university is planning to host a concurrent S4S with students from France and several African countries. To bolster these efforts, outreach to local businesses and corporate entities is in progress to obtain financial or in-kind support, ensuring the project’s sustainability and impact. The team has already secured $5K in sponsorship.