CONFERS Global Satellite Servicing Forum (GSSF) Trip Report

GSSF is the premier event for the on-orbit servicing and in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) community and featured leading commercial and government satellite operators, satellite manufacturers, satellite servicing providers, policy leaders, and financial and insurance experts from around the world. Speakers and panelists discussed growth in the satellite servicing industry, promising new opportunities in satellite servicing, the need for standards and regulation, current practices, and results from operational experiences.

Continue reading

Scientific Assembly of the Committee of Space Research (COSPAR) Trip Report

COSPAR and IAC represent two of the most significant international space conferences in 2022. In July, I attended the 44th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) (https://cosparhq.cnes.fr/) in Athens, Greece.  In mid-September, I will also attend the International Astronomical Conference hosted by the International Astronomical Federation (IAF) in Paris, France.

Continue reading

The (Near) Future of Commercialized Space Stations

The next chapter in orbital human spaceflight will be on next generation commercial space stations. Private companies like Axiom are planning on replacing the ISS with their own designed and manufactured space stations. Axiom’s plan is to send their own station modules into low earth orbit and attach them to the ISS for the time being and quickly accumulate their modules to form the Axiom Station while being hosted by the ISS. At the time of the ISS’s retirement, the Axiom Station is to disembark and exist on it’s own to provide a variety of services, some that the ISS lacked.

Continue reading

Space in the Time of Covid

While much of the world experienced significant interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commercial space industry has remained busy serving the needs of commercial and government clients. Perhaps the most exciting moment has been SpaceX fulfilling its Commercial Crew obligations with successful Demo-1 and Crew-1 missions. It is exciting to see manned launches from the US again after the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011 – and even more exciting that the crewed launch…

Continue reading

Mars City State Update: The Final Stretch

Two Short Months The Windy City Settlers first came together less than two months ago, but have achieved so much in a short amount of time. The team has created a system of Marciane laws and drafted a Mars Treaty that allows Mars to develop as an independent entity, free from any nation on Earth. The city-state now spans across the surface of Mars and in orbital satellites, both natural and artificial, connected by a robust network…

Continue reading

NASA iTech Recap

Thanks to the NASA iTech team for bringing Ignite the Night to TechNexus in Chicago last November 14th. It was a great event with over 150 people attending. Eight companies pitched their technologies and all were very strong competitors. There were three from the NewSpace Chicago community: Orbital Transports, Stofiel Aerospace and Xenesis. Congratulations to Stofiel for taking first place in the competition! We are very pleased to present videos of all the presentations below.

Continue reading

Investing in the New Space Race

  Register Now Use Function Ticket NewSpace Chicago is excited to help pass on the word about an upcoming event hosted by the CFA Society Chicago.  The CFA Society Chicago is one of the oldest investment analyst groups in the United States, and they’re hosting “Investing in the New Space Race.” The focus on Mars and the Asteroid Belt feels similar to the first space race, but the race to build constellations of cheap, low…

Continue reading

NewSpace Chicago’s list of Apollo 11 Stuff-To-Do

Do any of these fit you? Are you a late planner, looking for some Apollo 11 anniversary stuff to do?  Do you want a last-minute 50th Anniversary idea for the kids? Can you just not get enough about mankind’s quest for the Moon? You’re looking for Apollo 11 activities outside downtown Chicago? Below is a quick list of more Chicago-area events, activities, and exhibits to get you covered. Visit the Apollo 8 Command Module at…

Continue reading

Apollo 11: Aerospace and…. Fashion

Did you see CBS Sunday Morning’s great Apollo 11 segment, “The seamstresses who helped put a man on the moon” ?  It’s a great story on some of the behind-the-scenes heroes who helped get us to the moon.  In this case : the folks who designed and made, by hand, the space suits used by the Apollo astronauts.  It’s a great segment and you shouldn’t miss it! Did you also know that NewSpace Chicago’s very…

Continue reading