Define your place in space
We are entering a transformative era in space exploration, driven by more ambitious and cost-effective space endeavors. As we prepare for sustained human presence across our solar system, ASU’s Interplanetary Initiative strives to ensure this expansion reflects our highest values through a shared and sustainable approach. Since 2017, Interplanetary has been leading collaborative initiatives across science, technology and policy that explore the broad implications of space activities.
Research and innovation
Advancing knowledge
through new research that focuses on the societal considerations of space advancements and is driven by experts across disciplines, sectors and cultures.
Supporting researchers and industry partners
with their small spacecraft missions.
Learning and workforce development
Empowering learners
of all ages and backgrounds with the critical skills to become the effective and socially conscious contributors and leaders needed for our interplanetary future.
Training students
with real-world, hands-on spaceflight hardware and software development experience.
Impact by the numbers
Thought leadership
67
Cross-sector dialogs hosted
28
Affiliated ASU faculty across 15 schools
90
Publications
Research excellence
53
Research projects
97
Disciplines
111
Collaborating organizations
5.7x
Return on seed investments
Transformative learning
12
Learning and outreach programs
2100+
Students engaged across 100+ majors
4
Cubesats launched in the Interplanetary Lab
Read our annual reports
2023-2024 Year in Review
- Launched new learning programs for middle-high school students and aerospace professionals.
- Launched 13 interdisciplinary pilot projects.
- Established ASU Space Collective, integrating 9 commercial partners.
- Hosted Arizona Space Summit with 150 industry leaders.
- Launched Space-Edge multi-university accelerator.
2021-2022 Year in Review
- Funded eight new pilot projects.
- Partnered with Blue Origin and Sierra Space on Orbital Reef space station.
- Advanced student-led projects, including NASA ExoCam sensor development.
- Led DORA mission’s laser communications testing.
2020-2021 Year in Review
- Assembled distinguished advisory board.
- Expanded leadership team with key strategic hires.
- Launched OpenCitizen global problem-solving program.
- Established XPRIZE partnership.
- Strengthened collaborative networks for space exploration for all.
Join the mission
Define your place in space