Aerospace Engineering Space Exploration

Could you passage cells in zero gravity? Cell culture in space - such a cool intersection, let's dive in! ➡️ The big picture: It’s all about microgravity. Microgravity has a unique impact on cell growth and differentiation, potentially allowing for advanced cell therapies and even space-based biological production systems (one day!) A short history of space-based cell culture 🪐 1️⃣ 1973: First space-based cell culture The first experiments on bacterial cultures and plant cells observe the effects of microgravity on growth and division. Key take-away? Cells survive but behave differently in space. 2️⃣ 1990s: Space shuttle research Mammalian cells are grown! Key learning: bone and muscle cells grow differently in microgravity. This is relevant to bone density loss and muscle atrophy - experienced by astronauts, but also related to aging and diseases on Earth. 3️⃣ 2001: The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory The ISS is the only long-duration microgravity research laboratory. 4️⃣ 2020s: Organoids and Stem Cells in Microgravity Because microgravity impacts 3D cell culture differently to earth-gravity, new disease models are made possible. 5️⃣ The Future: The rise of commercial space labs Is space-based biomanufacturing - for pharmaceuticals and food production - in our future? Seems reasonable given the different biological possibilities that emerge outside of earth's gravity. 👩🏽🔬 Keen to get involved? Some startups working at this intersection: Space Tango (US) - Focused on manufacturing health and technology products in space. They can translate earth-based research to space, in a way that’s accessible to earth-based scientists. LambdaVision, Inc. (US) - Developing a protein-based artificial retina for degenerative eye diseases. By producing these retinas in microgravity, LambdaVision can avoid certain structural challenges faced on Earth. Aleph Farms (Israel) - In September 2019, Aleph farms produced the first cultivated meat in space. A later mission focused on understanding the effects of microgravity on the growth and maturation of cow cells. As always, links to scientific papers below. Any other companies or laboratories working in the biological research/space intersection? Would be keen to hear about them!

Today is a very bad day for the EU. The European Space Law was supposed to be one of the EU's next major flagship projects and a global model. Now it is being put on the back burner - with disastrous consequences. The law is intended to protect all the satellites in space that make our everyday lives possible, for example with the internet or GPS. The law should make space flights safer and space projects more sustainable. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared it one of her major projects in the autumn, as did the responsible Commissioner Thierry Breton. Today, however, he announces: We won’t get the Space Law within this legislative period. I have been fighting for this European Space Law ever since I entered the European Parliament. Every day without this set of rules, we risk total failures in space. Without rules, billionaires and nations are shooting things into space unchecked, without worrying about disposal. The increasing amount of space debris jeopardises vital satellites and space flights. The European New Space Sector threatens to be slowed down even more if there is no legal certainty. The EU has a great opportunity here to lead the way with a law and thus determine the rules of the game for the future. We are currently squandering this opportunity. The Commission is unable to present a draft for this important law within ten months. At my request, the International Institute of Space Law managed to do so within six weeks. So if you want to, it can be done. I confronted Commissioner Breton in committee with the urgency of this law. His reaction? It's not so bad if we have to wait a few more weeks or months. He completely fails to recognize how important it is to act quickly. Do we as Europe want to set the standards of the future or run after the Americans and Chinese? Our industry finally needs a head start instead of too much patience. Commissioner Breton's answers are grotesque. He is not only squandering a great opportunity for the EU to be a global pioneer - to finally catch up with the USA and China in this space race. By hesitating on this law, he is specifically risking failures in our satellite infrastructure. Failures that we will clearly feel here on Earth.

We're entering a new economic frontier: the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) economy. By 2040, it's set to exceed €1 trillion globally - and that’s just the beginning. What’s fueling this transformation? 🔻 90% drop in cost per kg to orbit 📉 Affordable launches enable satellite services, microgravity manufacturing & bold new business models Roland Berger and LEOconomy® joint new study unveils a powerful shift: space is no longer just for satellites - it's rapidly becoming a strategic innovation platform across industries. 🦾 From in-orbit manufacturing of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to space-based logistics and infrastructure, the maturing #LEO economy opens up groundbreaking opportunities for sectors like construction, healthcare, data, and materials science. 🧑🏭 German industrial companies - known for engineering excellence - are well-positioned to lead this transformation. As access to space becomes cheaper and more scalable, companies can leverage LEO to drive #innovation, create jobs, and build new business models that benefit both industry and society. 🔬 The societal impact is just as important: space tech can support telemedicine, climate monitoring, clean energy, and education in underserved regions - strengthening the bond between technological leadership and social responsibility. This isn’t just about reaching new heights. It’s about reshaping how business contributes to the global good - and ensuring that Germany's terrestrial industry takes a front-row seat in this new era of space-driven progress. #NewSpace #Weltraumkongress #TDI25 https://lnkd.in/eMSU_CqD Matthias Spott | Manfred Hader

In microgravity, our bodies undergo silent yet profound transformations. Bone density vanishes, joints weaken, muscles decondition – changes that might take decades on Earth but happen within months in orbit. Current counter-measures like resistive exercise or Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) help, but without real-time diagnostics, we’re essentially hoping they’re enough. Hope, however, is not a counter-measure. A recent paper proposes integrating DeepSeek-VL, a Vision Large Language model, with LBNP to create an autonomous orthopaedic diagnostic system for astronauts. The idea is striking. Imagine an AI that analyzes in-flight radiographs, bio-mechanical telemetry, and LBNP data to instantly advise: “Your trabecular micro-architecture shows cortical thinning; increase axial loading by 12%.” Unlike OpenAI's GPT-4 or Anthropic's Claude, DeepSeek-VL’s architecture enables computational efficiency, crucial for deployment in the International Space Station (ISS)’s resource-constrained environment. Its federated learning approach allows integration of astronaut health data across missions while preserving privacy – not just a technical choice, but a philosophical pivot toward resilient, adaptive intelligence. The edge deployment challenges are formidable. Radiation-hardened FPGAs or low-power GPUs like NVIDIA Jetson modules must run these models amidst cosmic rays and power constraints – a testament to human ingenuity in hostile frontiers. Beyond orbit, this same AI-driven autonomy could revolutionize terrestrial orthopaedics, enabling remote monitoring after joint replacements, spinal surgery, or injury rehabilitation without in-person visits. Musculoskeletal health in microgravity isn’t just a fitness problem; it’s an existential challenge demanding AI systems capable not merely of analysis, but of understanding – with nuance, adaptability, and trustworthiness. Reference paper: https://lnkd.in/g5AJNPjV #SpaceMedicine #AI #DeepSeek #Orthopedics #Microgravity #EdgeAI #Biomechanics #FederatedLearning #Innovation #MarsMission #SpaceExploration #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #Telemedicine #Astronauts

SPACE STUDY REVEALS ACCELERATED GROWTH OF HUMAN BRAIN CELLS Scientists sent stem-cell-derived brain organoids to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the effects of microgravity on brain development. After a month in orbit, the organoids remained healthy but displayed accelerated maturation and reduced replication compared to Earth-grown controls. Gene expression analysis revealed higher levels of genes linked to neuron maturity and lower levels of stress-related inflammation, challenging initial hypotheses. Researchers speculate that microgravity mimics brain-like conditions, offering unique insights into cellular behavior. These findings could inform research on neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, paving the way for future experiments. The study marks a foundational step in understanding how microgravity impacts brain cells. 3 Key Facts: 1. Accelerated Growth: Brain organoids in microgravity showed faster maturation and reduced proliferation. 2. Reduced Stress Response: Contrary to expectations, inflammation and stress-related gene expression were lower in space-grown organoids. 3. Future Potential: Insights may help study neurodegenerative diseases and brain cell connectivity under space conditions. Source: https://lnkd.in/gcGCPd9r

The low Earth orbit economy is on the brink of sparking the next industrial revolution. 🌌 Manufacturing in space is already known to produce superior alloys for critical industries that require advanced materials. The microgravity environment enables breakthroughs in semiconductors and pharmaceuticals thanks to processes only possible in low gravity. With over 260 orbital launches in 2024, the space sector is increasingly recognized for its potential to generate substantial economic value. By 2040, it could contribute more than EUR 1 trillion to the global economy. To fully seize the potential of the low Earth orbit economy, we need innovation and commitment from established industries, backed by supportive policies, financing, and technology. Key technology enablers include: 🔹 Launch capabilities – enabling cost-efficient, reusable access to orbit 🔹 In-space infrastructure – laying the groundwork for orbital operations 🔹 In-space services – from seamless connectivity to orbital logistics 🔹 In-space manufacturing – producing high-performance materials off-Earth In our joint report with LEOconomy®, we outline a roadmap with actionable steps to secure a competitive edge in this rapidly expanding market.  🚀 Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/efMk_yBn Manfred Hader Eric Kirstetter #RolandBerger

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for Powering Space Exploration Space exploration has always pushed the boundaries of human ingenuity, and with our ambitions reaching further into the cosmos, the need for reliable, efficient, and long-lasting energy sources is critical. One solution at the forefront of powering future space missions is the Small Modular Reactor (SMR). These compact nuclear reactors are poised to revolutionize space exploration by providing a consistent energy supply, enabling sustainable missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Why SMRs for Space? Traditional energy sources, such as solar panels and chemical batteries, face limitations in space environments. Solar power becomes unreliable on distant planets like Mars, where dust storms can last for months, and sunlight is less intense. Chemical batteries are short-lived and need frequent replacement, making them impractical for long-term missions. SMRs, on the other hand, offer several advantages that make them ideal for space exploration: 1. Continuous Power: SMRs provide a steady and uninterrupted energy supply, crucial for maintaining life support systems, scientific equipment, and propulsion systems on long-duration missions. 2. Compact Design: Designed to be small and lightweight, SMRs can be integrated into spacecraft and planetary bases without taking up significant space or adding excess mass. 3. Longevity: Unlike solar or chemical power, which requires frequent maintenance or replacement, SMRs can operate for decades with minimal intervention, ensuring long-term sustainability for missions. 4. High Energy Density: Nuclear reactors provide much higher energy output per unit of mass compared to chemical fuels or solar panels, making SMRs a highly efficient energy source for spacecraft propulsion and colonization efforts. Historical Development of Space Nuclear Reactors The concept of using nuclear reactors in space isn't new. As early as the 1960s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union experimented with nuclear reactors designed for space applications. Notably, the U.S. developed the SNAP-10A (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power) in 1965, the first nuclear reactor launched into space. SNAP-10A generated 500 watts of electrical power and operated successfully for 43 days, demonstrating the feasibility of using nuclear reactors in space. Similarly, the Soviet Union developed the Topaz series of nuclear reactors, which were launched aboard Kosmos satellites in the 1980s. These reactors were designed to provide power for military satellites and demonstrated the ability to deliver reliable energy in the harsh environment of space.

𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝—𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 When Shubhanshu Shukla lifted off on the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, it wasn’t just about space exploration. It was a lab-in-the-sky moment for some of Earth’s toughest medical problems. - One astronaut is now wearing a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in orbit. - Two insulin pens—one chilled, one not—are being tested to see how they survive in zero gravity. - Blood samples collected mid-flight will be tested back on Earth to understand how diabetes behaves in space. Why? Because in space, fluids shift toward the head—just like what happens in bedridden ICU patients on Earth. What we learn up there could change how we manage diabetes down here—making care smarter, faster, more adaptive. But here’s the part most people miss: Cancer research is happening too. In microgravity, scientists can grow purer, more stable protein crystals—the building blocks used to design cancer drugs. On Earth, gravity makes these crystals clump or deform. In space, they float and grow perfectly, like origami unfolding without wrinkles. Why does that matter? Because the better the crystal, the more precise the drug. Think of it like upgrading from a blurry image to 8K Ultra HD before designing a custom treatment. So this mission? It’s not just about reaching space. It’s about using space to reshape the future of medicine. From diabetics to oncology patients, we’re entering an era where space becomes the ultimate lab—not just to explore new worlds, but to heal our own. Amit Saxena Ajay Nandgaonkar Suchitaa Paatil Anju Goel Sanju S Taruna Anand Image Credit and Link : https://lnkd.in/gePuHXq2 #Axiom4 #IndiaInSpace #ShubhanshuShukla #DiabetesCare #CancerResearch #SpaceMedicine #CGM #ProteinCrystallization #ISRO #HealthInnovation #LinkedInScience #LifeSciencesInOrbit #AccessforALL #AccessAlchemy #AI

🌕 “Embracing the Moon” just gave us a glimpse of a future China is preparing for ! China’s crewed lunar lander, Lanyue- literally “Embracing the Moon” has just passed its first full touchdown and takeoff tests on a simulated lunar surface this month, marking the first time China has tested a landing and ascent of a crew-capable spacecraft. Why this matters: It’s a critical validation of integrated systems—landing engines, guidance, control, and lunar contact shutdown procedures—all simulating the Moon’s harsh terrain and gravity. It supports China’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030, making this a major leap toward crewed lunar exploration Space The lander is being developed alongside the Mengzhou crew capsule, which will ferry astronauts to lunar orbit before transferring them to Lanyue for descent underlining the two-step architecture of China's upcoming lunar missions. The full trajectory includes a string of robotic precursors—Chang’e-7 (2026), Chang’e-8 (2028)—all paving the way for the eventual crewed landing. Questions for the network: In which year will the next lunar landing occur ?

M+43: Have you heard of Space Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)? It’s a unique condition only observed in astronauts exposed to long durations of microgravity, there is no terrestrial equivalent (but for the docs out there, its features are similar to idiopathic intracranial hypertension). The condition can affect vision and eye structure, and it’s important we understand the condition before deep exploration missions. One theory is that the fluid shifts that occur in the body due to microgravity are the cause, as fluids shift toward the head potentially increasing the pressure against our eyes and the precious nerves and tissue that support them. One of the interesting experiments we are conducting is to see whether wearing tight thigh cuffs, thereby reducing the volume of blood returning to the heart, can decrease fluid shifts and pressure to the head. We work with a team at NASA to compare different metrics across ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (think of a CT scan for the eye but without radiation) and tonometry (poking the eye to get eye pressures) to see what changes if any occur with and without a thigh cuff. My partner, Anne, a great ultrasound and OCT operator, spent the better part of a day poking my eye, helping me probe my blood vessels, and scan my eyeballs. It’s a long day, but as our commander, Tak, says, “It’s for science.”