Collaboration Unleashed

Activating new networks across ASU and beyond.

The Orbital Reef University Advisory Council

The Interplanetary Initiative continued its progress with Blue Origin and Sierra Space to collaborate on a low-Earth orbit (LEO) space station, called Orbital Reef, which received $130 million in funding from NASA through a funded Space Act Agreement.

The Interplanetary Initiative hosted the Orbital Reef University Advisory Council’s annual meeting in Tempe, uniting its members to review progress, set goals, and drive equity-focused research, education and innovation in LEO.

Space Futures Convening

The 2023 Space Futures Convening united visionary leaders to tackle big questions to collectively drive forward more sustainable, inclusive and impactful solutions for our interplanetary future. We convened 60 singular minds from diverse fields to inspire fresh ideas and foster innovative collaborations. Activated through our Big Questions Teaming method, half of all conveners committed to advance new project ideas that emerged.

Sketch of Space

Drawing upon the collective perspectives from the 2023 Space Futures participants, Sketch of Space inspired insights through art for broader engagement. Explore the space achievements of 2022 and the exciting space predictions for 2023 showcased in this engaging publication.

Breakthrough Starshot

Breakthrough Initiatives and the Interplanetary Initiative joined forces to host a workshop laying the foundations for the first privately funded launch to Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our solar system located about 4.24 light-years away from Earth. The workshop united over 30 experts who exchanged ideas around the development of the Starshot communications sailcraft and ground station transmission and receiving systems.

AZ in focus: Pathways to an out-of-this-world economy

The Interplanetary Initiative and ASU’s NewSpace Initiative collaborated with the Greater Phoenix Chamber to host a panel discussion with university and industry leaders about space travel, tourism and manufacturing and how the valley continues to lead space innovation.

Arizona Space Summit

The Interplanetary Initiative collaborated with ASU’s NewSpace Initiative, the Thunderbird School of Global Management, the School of Earth and Space Exploration, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and other units to host the first Arizona Space Summit. The Summit brought together industry, academia and policymakers to highlight the state’s talent, infrastructure and innovation and explore opportunities to grow the commercial space sector in the state. Together with our partners, we hosted over 100 space leaders and a dozen participating companies attended the space career fair.

Space Career Fair

The first-ever space-focused career fair at ASU, held in conjunction with the Arizona Space Summit, was a hit with students and industry professionals alike. The event successfully connected over 200 students with 12 space companies, including industry giants like Blue Origin and Planet. Yielding immediate positive outcomes, two students secured job offers and two others landed coveted internships as a direct result of the career fair.

ASU Space Student Ambassadors

We welcomed the inaugural cohort of 12 student space ambassadors selected to represent space activities and programs across the university. These extraordinary undergraduates championed ASU’s vast space portfolio, inspiring and educating diverse audiences throughout the year.

To get involved in ASU Space, please visit space.asu.edu.