Human space exploration presents five major hazards that pose significant risks to astronauts: radiation, isolation and confinement, distance from Earth, gravity fields, and hostile/closed environments. Understanding these hazards is crucial for optimizing astronaut health and performance across various space mission classes. To mitigate these risks, space agencies focus on developing comprehensive strategies that address both physiological and psychological challenges. These strategies vary depending on the mission type, duration and destination. By tailoring health and performance protocols to specific mission profiles, astronauts can better prepare for the unique occupational challenges, thereby enhancing the probability of mission success.

NASA addresses its top risks with targeted countermeasures, medical standards, technologies, and training. Key fundamentals include sleep, exercise, diet, and expeditionary behavioral skills which are important elements for enabling high performing diverse astronaut crews. Emphasis is placed on astronaut self-care, the importance of leadership and followership skills, and how to thrive in isolated, small-team environments. Contemporary topics will be introduced regarding the advent of opening spaceflight accessible to a broader population. This overview highlights the multifaceted nature of promoting astronaut health and critical skills central to mission success.

Event Date: 9 / 11 / 2024

The State of Texas has long been proud of its role in space exploration. From the early days of Apollo to the recent upsurge in aerospace commerce, Texas has both a history and future in space. And while Texans are always happy to brag, the State is putting its money where it mouth is in creating the Texas Space Commission (TSC) and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC). Together, they are helping to draft the state’s strategy for future exploits in space. The state has also endowed a new fund, called the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund, to invest in this strategy and ensure Texas remains the leader in this vital field.

At the same time as Texas created the Commission and Consortium, the State also funded the development of a new facility in Clearlake called the Texas A&M University Space Institute. A one-of-a- kind place, the Institute will house a 2.5 Acre Moonscape and a 2.5 Acre Marscape. This will be the world’s largest indoor extra-terrestrial surface simulator facility, with adjacent large labs, control rooms, and shops. The facility will become a hub for lunar surface R&D, testing and training for commercial and government missions to the Moon, and then a subsequent push on to Mars. Partnering with Rice, UT Austin, UH Clearlake and other friends, Texas A&M has identified use cases for the new facility that has informed its design. Progress on its design and construction will be presented.

Event Date: 12 / 05 / 2024

Earth’s Moon is rich in resources from volatiles like water, to metals, rare earth elements, and Helium 3. Lunar resources will be critical to a sustained human presence in space. Water for propellant and life support will likely be the first economically viable lunar resource, enabling the creation of a refueling economy in cislunar space. Metals and other raw materials from the Moon can be used to create large scale space structures like solar power satellites to provision unlimited green energy to Earth. He3 from the Moon can be used to fuel clean fusion power plants on Earth and in space. Space development begins by developing lunar resources.

Event Date: 10 / 3 / 2024