IER faculty develops deployable structures for space and Earth applications

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Astrobee - a cube-shaped, free-flying robot aboard the International Space Station - is taking its next leap. On October 13, 2025, during LA Tech Week at USC Information Sciences Institute, it was announced that Astrobee will resume operations in early 2026 under the stewardship of Arkisys, a space logistics company founded by David Barnhart. Originally designed at NASA Ames Research Center, Astrobee moves using small electric fans, drifting gracefully through microgravity as it assists astronauts with photography, documentation, and inventory tasks. But beyond its daily duties, Astrobee represents something far bigger - the evolution of robots as partners in space exploration. With Arkisys now leading the next phase, Astrobee will transition from a NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration - only platform to a commercially sustained testbed accessible to universities, startups, and international collaborators. It’s a milestone that signals how space research is becoming more open, participatory, and innovation-driven. At the LA Tech Week panel, the diversity of ongoing experiments showed just how transformative this platform has become. AstroSee, developed by Obruta Space Solutions, demonstrated autonomous docking—teaching a robot how to align and connect with another spacecraft using computer vision, without human input. Zero Robotics, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology program, lets students write code that actually runs on the ISS, giving them firsthand experience in programming for microgravity. REACCH explores tentacle-inspired robotic arms for capturing space debris, while CLINGERS tests new universal docking mechanisms that could let future spacecraft attach and collaborate seamlessly. These projects aren’t just technological demos - they’re glimpses of how autonomy, education, and experimentation converge in orbit. Astrobee’s next chapter represents a quiet but profound shift: robots no longer confined to following instructions, but capable of exploring, maintaining, and innovating alongside humans. As we prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, Astrobee stands as a reminder that the future of exploration will be human – robot teamwork, not human effort alone. #NASA #Astrobee #SpaceRobotics #Microgravity #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanRobotCollaboration #Arkisys #ISS #SpaceInnovation #AerospaceEngineering #AutonomousSystems #USC #TechWeek #STEMEducation #FutureOfExploration

In collaboration with the Northeast Ohio Section of the AIAA and Critical Ops, more than 150 students attended the 31st Young Astronauts’ Day at the Ohio Aerospace Institute. Featuring a keynote address by #NASA personnel and hands-on activities led by local aerospace experts from both regional universities and NASA, the event gave students an exciting look into the world of aeronautics and space exploration. Open to students in grades 5-12, the program included a range of STEM-focused challenges. One re-occuring favorite was the signature egg-drop competition, in which the University of Akron’s Akronauts Rocket Design Team led student teams worked within a set budget to design a parachute capable of protecting an egg dropped from the highest floor of the Ohio Aerospace Institute. In another room students built LEGO rovers engineered to navigate a complex obstacle course under the guidance of NASA Glenn Research Center’s GVIS Lab. Simultaneously, Gerald Voltz, Education Program Specialist at NASA GRC led students in designing a rover capable of climbing a simulated lunar surface, a sandbox elevated at a steep angle to challenge the vehicles. Between activities, attendees also had the chance to participate in a drone-flying demonstration, where they piloted small drones through a series of challenges and obstacle courses. Overall, thanks to the supporters of this event, students were able to enjoy a memorable experience and gain an inspiring introduction to the world of aerospace, perhaps even sparking the curiosity that will lead one of these “young” astronauts to become a real one someday. #stem #science #technology #engineering #mathematics #astronauts #space #astronomy #astrophysics #aeronautics

Nanorobots are going to space! Together with VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (under the leadership of Radek Martinek) and Prof. Martin Pumera’s team - Advanced Nanorobots & Multiscale Robotic Laboratory we at TRL Space are helping send the first-ever nanorobots to the International Space Station — as part of Aleš Svoboda’s upcoming mission. 🇨🇿 These little magnetic machines will fight something that sounds small but isn’t: biofilms — stubborn bacterial layers that can mess with spacecraft systems and even threaten astronaut health. Our job? Take the university lab experiment and turn it into flight hardware ready to survive launch, space conditions, and microgravity. It’s the kind of project we love: tiny robots, big engineering challenge, and a giant leap for not only Czech, but global space science.

🌕 Testing Our Dust-Proof Lunar Connector at NASA’s Simulant Laboratory Last week, our team had the incredible opportunity to visit the NASA Lunar Simulant Laboratory to test the prototype of our dust-proof protective enclosure, designed to meet IP6X standards and operate under strict constraints like dexterity, no-twist handling, and a weight under 1 kg. Our main goal was to evaluate how our design performs against lunar dust infiltration using NASA’s JSC-1A ORBITEC Lunar Mare Regolith Simulant. Inside a sealed glovebox chamber, we dispersed the dust with fans and exposed our prototype to multiple 45-minute test cycles while moving the device to simulate operational motion. This allowed us to observe ingress behavior and collect data for validation and future redesign. The prototype combines CNC-machined acrylic components (manufactured by me) with 3D-printed parts developed collaboratively by the team. We also utilized microscopy analysis at NASA to study the behavior of dust particles on critical surfaces and identify potential seal and tolerance improvements for our next iteration. One major takeaway from this experience is realizing how different it is to see a CAD model work on screen versus making it function in real life. Design for manufacturing requires constant iteration, communication, and critical analysis — and none of this would have been possible without my amazing teammates, Tasnim Fahmy, Alexa Reyes, and Paola Perdomo, as well as our mentor, Francis Davies, from the Power and Propulsion Division of NASA. Each brought unique perspectives and problem-solving skills to the table. The NASA Simulant Laboratory team also guided us through their facilities, explaining how lunar materials are characterized and tested for compliance — an experience that deepened our understanding of real-world engineering under extreme environmental constraints. Being inside NASA’s lab and working hands-on with lunar dust was truly a dream come true. As a future mechanical engineer, I aim to turn complex and challenging constraints into practical, sustainable solutions that create real impact. To every engineering student: teamwork and communication are your strongest tools. Mistakes and challenges are part of the process — patience and collaboration turn them into progress. Huge thanks again to Tasnim, Alexa, Paola, Francis, and the NASA Simulant Laboratory team for making this milestone possible. Go Coogs! #NASA #Engineering #MechanicalEngineering #LunarDust #SpaceExploration #UH #Capstone #STEM #Manufacturing #CNC #3DPrinting

Fascinating development out of the University of Utah’s Bionic Engineering Lab: a soft exosuit designed to support astronauts during lunar and Martian exploration. 🧑🚀 Unlike rigid exoskeletons, this suit uses artificial muscles and textile-based actuators to assist with movement and reduce fatigue. The goal is to mitigate musculoskeletal strain in low-gravity environments — a practical solution to a persistent challenge in human spaceflight. Sharing this with Julie N Strickland, PMP 🍓 in mind — Thought you'd find this interesting! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gbCdXg7j #AerospaceEngineering #HumanSpaceflight #Biomechanics #WearableRobotics #SystemsThinking #SpaceExploration #InnovationInMotion

Diving into the World of Rocket Science! Rocket science has always been at the heart of space exploration, enabling humanity to reach beyond Earth and explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I recently attended a One-Day Online Workshop on Rocket Science and Engineering organized by the Indian Space Academy as part of India Space Week. The workshop offered deep insights into: 🔹 Fundamentals of Rocket Propulsion 🔹 Rocket Design & Engineering 🔹 Aerodynamics & Flight Dynamics 🔹 Rocket Avionics, Satellites & Payloads 🔹 Emerging Technologies in Rocketry It was truly inspiring to learn how India’s ambitious missions like Gaganyaan and the growing participation of private players are shaping the nation’s space future. Grateful to the Indian Space Academy for this incredible learning experience and for inspiring young minds to contribute to Viksit Bharat through innovation in space technology. 🚀🇮🇳 #RocketScience #SpaceTechnology #IndianSpaceAcademy #AerospaceEngineering #STEM #Innovation #LearningNeverStops #ViksitBharat

At Stardour, we believe innovation is powered by people — the ones who dare to ask “What if we could go farther… without carrying more?” One of those people is Ajay A., Associate Scientist – Electric Propulsion. When Ajay joined us 1.5 years ago, he brought a fascination for plasma — how energized particles could someday move spacecraft silently, efficiently, and sustainably across vast orbital distances. Today, he’s turning that idea into hardware. Ajay is developing an advanced plasma propulsion system powered by non-toxic green propellants — a technology designed to: • Travel farther with less fuel • Free up space for science and payloads • Enable gentle, precise orbital maneuvers • Reduce environmental impact in space operations This propulsion system sits at the heart of LUCAS, our multimode Orbital Transfer Vehicle. Ajay will tell you it’s not glamorous. It’s late-night experiments, plasma that surprises you, and countless redesigns. But each spark of plasma brings us closer to an orbital economy that is smarter, cleaner, and more connected. We are proud of people like Ajay — builders of the infrastructure that will move humanity outward. Because the future of space isn’t just about reaching orbit… It’s about navigating it intelligently. Sankarsh Chanda Sonal Lodha ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization European Space Agency - ESA NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory #Stardour #SpaceExploration #OTV #IndianSpace #LEO #LifeAtStardour #ElectricPropulsion #PlasmaEngineering #GreenPropulsion #SpaceMobility #OrbitalEconomy #StardourAerospace #TeamStory #FutureOfSpace

Thrilled to share that our #NASA #MOSAICS-funded (grant # 80NSSC24K1755) research has been accepted for publication at peer-reviewed workshop on Applied Artificial Intelligence for Public Safety and Security (AI-PublicSecurity-2025) held with 2025 IEEE International Conference on Big Data. This achievement is a powerful example of what happens when student innovation, faculty mentorship, and research funding come together to create meaningful impact. Our team explored “Adversarial Vulnerability of Object Detection in High-Density Urban Mobility Scenarios,” addressing one of the most critical challenges in computer vision and AI safety. Our work advances the broader scholarly conversation on building accurate, reliable, and real-time object detection systems—the kind that enable: 🚗 Autonomous vehicles to safely avoid cyclists and pedestrians 🎥 Smart surveillance systems to detect potential threats 🛰️ Planetary rovers to identify and collect scientific samples on Mars (or on extraterrestrial terrains) We’re proud to contribute to this evolving field and advance research that strengthens trustworthy AI for real-world applications. Grateful for the support of NASA MOSAICS team, our project SME J. Russell Carpenter at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and proud of our students’ dedication and excellence in research. Onward and upward! #StudentResearch #GrantFunded #AcademicConference #ResearchExcellence #HigherEd

Part 3 This post is the third part of a series addressing significant issues outlined in NASA's Inspector General's "Summary of Deficiencies List." I want to share a personal experience related to the "Water Intrusion in Helmets" category, which has led to severe risks of asphyxiation for astronauts during spacewalks. You can read more about this here: [https://lnkd.in/gAMN65DF] The latest report describes this deficiency as follows: Category: Water Intrusion in Helmets Deficiency: NASA documented multiple incidents where water leaked into astronauts’ helmets during spacewalks, including a 2013 event and another in 2022. Danger: These events pose severe risks of asphyxiation, vision impairment, and communication failure during extravehicular activities. This issue is critical because it could cause an astronaut's death, and the underlying causes have not been eliminated in over 28 years since it was first mentioned in the 1997 report on EVA suits failure analysis for the International Space Station (ISS). I participated in a multi-week 1997 meeting that analyzed the space suit’s reliability and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) of two ISS EVA systems: Orlan-M and EMU. The team included representatives from Hamilton Sundstrand (now Collins Aerospace), Zvezda, NASA, and Roscosmos. We identified various issues for both the Orlan and EMU EVA systems, but I want to focus on the water intrusion in helmet problem. As is well known, the EMU spacesuit's Portable Life Support System (PLSS) has a single ventilation loop fan, a single water cooling loop pump, and one electric motor for both. A critical design flaw is the single O-ring separating the water and ventilation circuits, a potential point of failure. The lack of redundancy was highlighted in the report. In contrast, the Orlan spacesuit's PLSS has two water circuit pumps (main and backup or secondary), each with its own motor, and two ventilation fans (main and backup), each with its own motor. This significantly more robust design was adopted for the xEMU PLSS and likely for the AxEMU as well, due to the increased reliability it offers. Despite identifying the problem, no fundamental design changes were implemented for the EMU. When a failure occurs, the entire assembly is replaced, but still with a single seal. Astronauts now resort to placing towels in their helmets before spacewalks as a precautionary measure against potential leaks. You can read more about this here: [https://lnkd.in/ghghXFVE]. I cannot predict what measures NASA will take, and it's possible the situation will remain unchanged until a new EVA suit arrives at the station. see my comment below

Our #space ecosystem is not just innovating — it’s developing technologies and partnerships that strengthen Lithuania’s economy, science, and security. 👏 🛰️ Recent milestones and partnerships from cluster members: Kongsberg NanoAvionics – secured a record €122.5M contract with SpinLaunch (USA) to deliver small satellites for a new broadband constellation, and was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to build and operate a CubeSat for the IOD/IOV programme, advancing innovative European technologies in orbit. Sensmetry – pioneers the System-as-Code revolution, bringing software engineering power and agility to complex space systems. Their #Syside tool suite supports #SysMLv2 for the AI era and is used by the European Space Agency - ESA to automate systems engineering work. Sensmetry, in partnership with OHB, implements an ESA contract, and last year their paper on #Syside won Best Paper at the MBSE Workshop 2024 – Europe’s leading space MBSE event. Integrated Optics – their MatchBox pulsed laser is on its way to Mars as part of the MiLi (Miniaturized LIDAR for MARS Atmospheric Research) project — a step toward sending four LiDAR instruments for future atmospheric exploration missions. VILNIUS TECH - Vilnius Gediminas Technical University – launched Lithuania’s first industrial doctorate in space technologies, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (LMT). The research develops a cathode for an innovative bismuth Hall thruster, aligned with ESA and global space market priorities. Blackswan Space continues its partnership with Adelaide University and SmartSat CRC (Australia) on the E-SPARC project, set to launch in 2027–2028. Delta biosciences – with LinkGevity, launched a UK–Lithuania project funded by the UK Space Agency to advance Anti-Necrotic™ technology, boosting astronaut health and human resilience on Earth and in space. 🛰️ Why it matters: Lithuania is no longer just developing technology — it’s building a globally competitive space sector with dual-use innovations for: • Agriculture and environmental monitoring • Secure communications and defence Investing in space means investing in Lithuania’s future — in talent, technology, and global competitiveness. 🤝