CONFERS (Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous & Servicing Operations)

The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS) is an industry-led initiative with initial seed funding provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that aims to leverage best practices from government and industry to research, develop, and publish non-binding, consensus-derived technical and operations standards for OOS and RPO.  These standards would provide the foundation for a new commercial repertoire of robust space-based capabilities and a future in-space economy. CONFERS is open to participation by private sector stakeholders in the international satellite servicing community.  All companies and academic institutions developing, operating, insuring, and purchasing OOS and RPO capabilities are encouraged to join and contribute their experience and expertise.

International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)

The International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) produces future scientists, engineers, operations professionals, and educators of the international space community by providing immersive educational experiences that produce peer-reviewed scientific publications, mature space technologies, and educate and inspire the next generation of space professionals.

2GRobotics

At 2G Robotics we use cutting-edge technology to develop innovative inspection solutions that provide detailed and precise data to maintain the world’s critical infrastructure. Founded in 2007 as an underwater technology start-up with a foundation of strong engineering and R&D expertise, we were the first company in the world to widely provide underwater laser scanners for offshore and subsea inspection.

Diving Caves

Christine Loew arrived in Playa del Carmen in December 2004 as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. Originally she learnt diving in the lakes of Bavaria until she became an instructor she was still was working in her “normal” office job. Since her arrival here in Playa del Carmen she acquired a profound knowledge about the area while ocean, cavern, and cave diving. Her personal policy of continuing education and furthering her skills regularly extends from diving to non-diving activities.

Under The Jungle

Under the Jungle is a dive center and a base for exploration. Our students and clients come to us because they have a thirst for adventure, a natural curiosity to experience the singular beauty of Mexico’s caves firsthand.

Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere)

Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere, 83 km (50 miles) and are observed slightly below the mesopause in the polar summertime.  These clouds are of special interest, as they are sensitive to both global climate change and to solar/terrestrial influences. The first recorded sightings of noctilucent clouds were reported in 1885 and both satellite and ground-based observations over the past four decades have indicated that the presence of these clouds has been increasing in both frequency and brightness. Scientists now realize that these clouds are very sensitive indicators for what is going on in the atmosphere at higher altitudes as small changes in the atmospheric environment can lead to large changes in the properties of these clouds. Further, since these clouds form on condensation nuclei through cold temperatures and the presence of water vapor – and these properties of the mesosphere are tied to carbon dioxide and methane, the anthropogenic causes of climatic change may be directly related to the presence of noctilucent clouds.

NSS (National Space Society) Space Ambassadors

Humanity is no longer limited to the Earth’s surface and its limited resources! Our solar system has abundant energy, and material resources, millions of times more than on the surface of the Earth. The future of humanity will be enhanced as it uses the bountiful resources in space. Become a Space Ambassador and do your part toward making that happen by informing people about its value and encouraging their support and involvement.

A Space Ambassador is an NSS member who wishes to educate the general public about the importance of space exploration and the exciting progress being made in meeting the NSS vision: “People living and working (in space) in thriving communities beyond the Earth, using the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity.”

SCUBAnauts International

SCUBAnauts has grown considerably from the original six Nauts of 2001 and later, the single chapter in Tarpon Springs (Est. 2008), to three other chapters in the Tampa Bay area: St. Petersburg (Est. 2010),  Tampa (Est. 2014), and Sarasota (Est. 2017), but the close proximity of chapters gives the opportunity for close collaboration with local science and dive professionals. SCUBAnauts looks forward to increasing the opportunity for young explorers and leaders of tomorrow, continuing to establish new chapters nationwide and internationally.

Project OTTER (Orbital Technologies & Tools for Extravehicular Research) 

Project OTTER is the orbital citizen-science affiliate of the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences. OTTER provides a practical education for the professional interested in Extravehicular Activity (EVA) space suit operations, space flight operations, and mission design. Learn about Martian and Lunar geology, space medicine, saturation diving, life support systems, and spaceflight physiology while testing Final Frontier Design EVA space suits in analog terrestrial, microgravity, and underwater environments! Learn about spacecraft systems, orbital mechanics and operations, and flight test engineering.

Space Medicine Group (SMG)

The IIAS SMG represents professionals within the PoSSUM community working on research, education and health initiatives in space and terrestrial medicine and health. SMG is currently working on three initiatives: 1) the Space Medicine Working Group (SMWG), 2) the Health Task Force (HTF), and 3) the ‘Astronaut Mentality’ educational outreach initiative.

SMWG aims to catalyze the development of knowledge, data, testing, protocols, tools and technologies that will positively contribute to the development of operational space medicine, safety and rescue operations, physiology, countermeasures and mitigation by developing protocols and tests for PoSSUM’s wide variety of research activities.

There is a lot of uncertainty and emerging data around the novel coronavirus at this time, and there is a need for trusted sources and information. The COVID-19 Health Task Force (HTF) consists of doctors, nurses and epidemiologists within the PoSSUM community working together to compile an ever-growing list of trusted international and national resources and guidelines.

What do life in space and life in a pandemic have in common? A lot, as it turns out – and we have lessons to share! Tune in to our continuing daily webinar series starting April 8, as pilots, doctors, scientists and  explorers from the PoSSUM community share their lessons of resilience, resourcefulness, emergency preparedness, tough situations – while challenging the audience to participate as well!

Association of Spaceflight Professionals (ASP)

ASP’s mission is to develop the next generation of commercial astronauts through the creation of networking, educational, research, and mission opportunities for space professionals.