The world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space gathering – 2023 ASCEND – will hear directly from the crew onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Each year in Las Vegas, ASCEND brings together space industry professionals, students, and enthusiasts to accelerate building our off-world future.

On Monday morning, 23 October, the event will open with a unique session entitled, “From Dreaming to Doing: Utilizing Creativity and Imagination to Accelerate our Off-World Future,” moderated by Kara Cunzeman, director of Strategic Foresight, The Aerospace Corporation, and ASCEND Guiding Coalition member. The speakers will explore what it means to create and inspire, and why systematic thinking about the future is essential for building humanity’s sustainable off-world future.

During that exciting session, the conference will receive a special call from space, as NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli join ASCEND live from the International Space Station. Cunzeman will lead a discussion with the astronauts on the importance of space exploration, improving diversity in STEM fields, and ways to build our sustainable off-world future through collaboration.

For those planning to attend 2023 ASCEND, the opening session and downlink conversation are set to begin at 0800 hrs PT in the Summit Ballroom, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. The panelists may be available for potential interviews from media attending the event.

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Lab allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under cooperative agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit www.issnationallab.org.

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is hosting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the 2023 Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix. NASA’s exhibit on Fan Field in COTA’s Grand Plaza (also known as the Fan Zone during the USGP) will be the public debut of the new Artemis crew transportation vehicle alongside unique, interactive, and informative exhibits.

Texas has a long-standing love and tradition for space-related endeavors. The Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas was established in 1961, just three years after the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 was signed into law. Since then, Houston has remained the central operational hub for all things space exploration, including the Apollo project which covered the original Moon-landing missions.

COTA is thrilled to host NASA during the next phase of its human space exploration mission, the Artemis program. Also included in their exhibit is a 1:25 scale model of the Space Launch System, or “SLS,” super heavy-lift rocket, Artemis II astronaut cutouts, and NASA Worm and Meatball photo-ops. Subject matter experts from astronauts and NASA leadership will also be in attendance to answer fans’ most pressing questions.

"As two organizations with a presence felt around the world, but with a base right here in Texas, The Circuit is very excited to have NASA on campus at this year’s USGP. We’re lucky to host the public debut of the new Artemis crew transportation vehicle and the staff at NASA have gone above and beyond to provide the very best exhibit. The ingenuity, integrity, and tenacity of the space agency as well as their dedication to education is exactly what we want fans to experience at COTA,” said Josh Seitman, Senior Director, Commercial Partnerships, Circuit of The Americas.

ABOUT COTA: Circuit of The Americas is the premier destination for world-class motorsports and entertainment in the United States. Set on 1,200 acres in the rolling hills just outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas has hosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music since 2012. At its heart is a 3.41-mile racetrack that was designed to challenge the world’s most exacting competitors while providing a thrilling spectacle for audiences.

NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than August 2024 from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"I am pleased to see another milestone in our efforts to transition low Earth orbit from primarily a government-sponsored activity to one where NASA is one of many customers," said Phil McAlister, director of commercial space at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "NASA has been directed to develop commercial platforms to sustain a continuous United States presence in low Earth orbit and to transition beyond International Space Station operations. These private astronaut missions are helping to pave the way for that transition."

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is expected to spend up to 14 days docked to the space station. A specific launch date depends on overall spacecraft traffic to the orbital outpost, and other planning constraints. NASA and Axiom Space mission planners will coordinate in-orbit activities for the private astronauts as they work with station crew members and flight controllers on the ground.

"Our Axiom Space team is looking forward to a fourth mission to the International Space Station," said Michael Suffredini, CEO and president of Axiom Space. "Each mission allows us to build on the foundation we have set for the world's first commercial space station, Axiom Station, preparing our teams and orbital platform to succeed the International Space Station operations in low Earth orbit. These missions are instrumental in expanding commercial space activities and access to space for individuals and nations around the world, as well as developing the knowledge and experience needed to normalize living and working in microgravity."

Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members for the Ax-4 mission to NASA and its international partners for review. If approved, the prime crew members for the mission will be confirmed.

The Ax-4 crew members will train with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX for their flight. Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station, and to familiarize the private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for the Dragon spacecraft.

Axiom Space is obtaining NASA services via both a mission-specific order and a reimbursable Space Act Agreement.

Through the mission-specific order, Axiom Space is obtaining from NASA crew supplies, cargo delivery to space, storage, and in-orbit resources for daily use. The order also accommodates up to seven contingency days aboard the space station. This mission is subject to NASA's pricing policy for the services that are above space station baseline capabilities.

The order also identifies capabilities NASA may obtain from Axiom Space, including the return of scientific samples that must be kept cold and other cargo, and the capability to use the private astronaut mission commander's time to complete NASA science or perform tasks for the agency.

Through Space Act Agreements, Axiom Space will reimburse NASA for services to enable the mission, such as training for crew members and use of facilities at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In addition, SpaceX has a reimbursable agreements with NASA Kennedy for launch services.

NASA announced its selection of Axiom Space for the third private astronaut mission in March. NASA and its international partners are reviewing the proposed crew members now, and an announcement is expected later this year. The mission is now targeted to launch no earlier than January 2024.

NASA made the selection for the third and fourth private astronaut missions from proposals received in response to its September 2022 NASA Research Announcement and evaluated the mission proposals based on the provider's ability to execute a mission successfully, NASA's ability to support the proposed mission, and the mission's contribution to the agency's goal of low Earth orbit commercialization.

For more than 22 years, NASA has supported a continuous U.S. human presence in low Earth orbit. The agency's goal is a low Earth orbit marketplace where NASA is one of many customers, and the private sector leads the way. This strategy will provide services the government needs at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on its Artemis missions to the Moon and eventually Mars while continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.

Learn more about how NASA is fostering a robust commercial low Earth orbit economy at: https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy

What necessitates lighting the space, such as a hangar, in which spacecraft are designed, made, tested and prepared for travel to outer space? Learn the answers in an exclusive interview with a Florida Space Coast lighting professional.

His name is Brandon Demeter. He's a military intelligence-trained, former active-duty United States Marine who works for America's premier lighting company, Alcon Lighting. Demeter sat down and talked about his experience, trade and technique in an interview with architect Murrye Bernard.

Well-versed in the challenges that come with lighting design for outer space, Demeter studied military intelligence, which paved his career in technology working on high-tech lighting projects for Lockheed Martin's Orion capsule and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, among others. Demeter, who lives near Cape Canaveral, divulged his experiences, ideas and practices in lighting aerospace and aeronautics facilities and how this impacts his work in commercial lighting.

"Like any lighting project, you have to determine the right fixtures, placement and beam angles," Demeter says. "But, for space applications, you're running very specific photometrics and calculations. There are areas where you have to have fixtures that are rated for explosions and are pressure and vibration-proof because of the potentially volatile work they are doing."

With multiple spacecraft travel endeavors in progress, including efforts by Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, lighting in areas designated for building spaceships has never been more important or more in demand. The knowledge, experience and insights of lighting professionals such as Brandon Demeter make meeting the demand more likely. This makes advancement in regular space travel more realistic—and possible.

ABOUT ALCON LIGHTING, INC.

Alcon Lighting, Inc. was founded in Los Angeles in 2002 as an electrical supply company. Since then, it has become an industry leader in commercial lighting design and distribution. Co-owners Jake and David Hakimi trace Alcon Lighting's integrity and commitment to adding value with top-quality products to lessons learned from their father, a Southern California lighting salesman for more than four decades. Today, Alcon Lighting combines these principles with LED architectural lighting design, manufacturing and distribution, offering a range of lighting products aligned with healthy working and living.