humans in space

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2024
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2023
Symposium Challenge
2022
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Humans In Space Challenge

A call for innovative solutions and research on the challenges of human life in space. The finalists of the challenge will be able to present their ideas to a crowd of notable figures during the Humans In Space Symposium

Timeline

May 23rd

Humans In Space Challenge Applications Open

Aug. 11th

Applications Closed

Sep. 1st

Semi-Finalist Announcement

Sep. 5th & 6th

Semi-Finalist Pitch Practice Session

Sep. 18th & 19th

Virtual Finalist Selection

Sep. 28th ~ Oct. 13th

Space Expansion Program

Oct. 23rd ~ 25th

Humans In Space Symposium

Nov. 24th

Awardee Announcement

An Opportunity to Win

$100,000

in equity investments

$30,000

in research awards

Additional

$500,000

Startup Credits *

Send your experiment on a future Axiom mission

* To be divided between selected eligible startup awardees

Challenge Topics

Some Example Topics Include

RESEARCH TOPICS

Space Exploration
Space Exploration
Studies on key health hazards presented by the space environment
Cognitive System Neuromotor System Circulatory System Immune System Urinary System Musculoskeletal System Sensory System

Cognitive and behavioral conditions

Psychosocial adaptation

...

SANS

Orthostatic Intolerance

...

Decompression sickness

Hypoxia

...

Altered immune response

Radiation carcinogenesis

...

Renal stone formation

Urinary retention

...

Bone fracture

Reduced muscle size

...

Hearing loss

Sensorimotor alteration

...

INNOVATION TOPICS

Space Exploration
Space Exploration
Startups that support human life in space
Human Health Journey In-Space Lifestyle Advanced Data Analytics
& Intelligence

Personal health device

Imaging device

In-space surgical device

Personal therapeutics

...

Environment sensor

Atmosphere revitalization

In-space musical instrument

...

Data analytics software

In-space data processing hardware

Edge computing

...
Space Utilization
Space Utilization
Startups that utilize space environment to advance ground-based technology
Bio R&D Platform Molecule & Therapeutics Biomedical Equipment

Cell culture platform

Organ-on-a-chip

...

Regenerative medicine

Drug Delivery

...

Medical implant

Biological marking tool

...
Download File For More Detailed Topic Examples

Sample Case Study : 1st HIS Cohort

We’ve categorized the 1st HIS cohort based on their technological capabilities and human health system it aims to support.

*Please take note that the 1st HIS Challenge featured Space healthcare topics only and thus, it does not represent the full topic coverage of this year’s challenge.
Molecule & Therapeutics Advanced Data
Analytics & Intelligence 		Prevention Monitoring & Maintenance Diagnosis
Cognitive System
Neuromotor System
Circulatory System
Endocrine System
Others

(Drug Solubility Enhancer)

(A.I. Research Platform)

Why should you apply?

Funding

  • · For Startups: $100,000 in investments
  • · For Researchers: $30,000 in research award

Startup Credit

  • · Axiom Startup Credit: $500,000 credits to send your experiment on a future Axiom mission*
  • · Amazon Web Services Credit: $15,000 credits to accelerate your business

Space Expansion Program

Series of tailored mentorships and workshops by leading space figures

Government Grant Consulting

Discounted expert consultation and assistance for grant acquisition provided by FreeMind Investments

Fast track access to leading
accelerator programs

Gain access to premier
space accelerator programs

Network

Strong alumni network and
global connection with industry

* Startups eligible for this credit will be determined by the Terms and Conditions and can include startup status, funding, country of incorporation, technical readiness level, project complexity, and other factors

Introducing our Experts

※ Our experts are listed in alphabetical order
according to their respective affiliations.

Rebecca Waber

  • Executive Director, Strategy & Innovation, Commercial Product
  • Former Sr. Director, Commercial Insurance Product Innovation

Ariel Ekblaw

  • Founder and Director of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative, MIT Media Lab
  • Chief Executive Officer, Aurelia Institute

Lucie Low

  • Chief Scientist for Microgravity Research
  • Former Scientist at NASA-NIH

Anjali Gupta

  • Space entrepreneur and startup advisor
  • Former pharmaceutical drug discovery scientist & digital health innovator

Liz Warren

  • Director of Research Development for Orbital Reef
  • Expert on the effects of spaceflight on human physiology

Michelle Kydd Lee

  • Chief Innovation Officer
  • Advisory Council Member, MIT Media Lab

Arun Sharma

  • Assistant Professor, Biodmedical Sciences
  • Research Scientist, Smidt Heart Institute

Monica Jain

  • Surgical Innovation Officer
  • Venture Partner at Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health

Dawn Bowles

  • Assistant Professor in Surgery
  • Expert in Molecular Biology and Medicine

Assaf Wise

  • Chief Technology Officer
  • Former Board of Directors for The Gevasol Group

Zack Fagan

  • Co-founder & Partner
  • Co-founder of Initium Group

Solange Massa

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Nevada, Reno

Nicol Caplin

  • Exploration Scientist
  • Background in biological effects of ionising radiation

Tomomichi Fujita

  • Professor of Biological Sciences, Cell Structure and Function
  • Head of Plant Evolutionary and Developmental Biology

Tasneem Sharma

  • Assistant Professor of Ophthamology
  • Director of Diversity, Equity, and Justice

Deok-Ho Kim

  • Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Founding Director, Center for Microphysiological Systems

Soyeon Yi

  • The First Korean Astronaut
  • Managing Director, Business Development & Partnership, Noul Co., Ltd.

Alexander Chouker

  • Chair of Life and Physical Sciences at European Space Sciences Committee
  • Professor of Anesthesiology

Audrey Berthier

  • Executive Director
  • 22 years of expertise in Space Physiology and Medicine

Wissam Mansour

  • Founding Partner & CEO
  • Board Observer for Ceres Imaging

Sunny Bertsch

  • Business Development Expert
  • Industry leader in solutions for extreme environments in space

Mathias Basner

  • Professor of Psychiatry, Division of Sleep and Chronobiology
  • Director of Behavioral Regulation & Health Section, Department of Psychiatry

Junaid Mian

  • Pharmacist, Entrepreneur, Investor
  • Principal, Life Sciences

Marissa Rosenberg

  • Senior Medical Research Engineer at SpaceX
  • Senior Research Scientist in the Neuroscience Laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center

Martina Truche

  • Entrepreneur, consultant, statup mentor & judge
  • Space medicine enthusiast w/STEM background & healthcare innovation experiences

Jacob Scoccimerra

  • Payload Expert - Independent
  • Former Program Manager, Nanoracks

James Hury

  • Deputy Director
  • Chief Innovation Officer

Jimmy Wu

  • Senior Biomedical Engineer
  • Instructor at Baylor College of Medicine Center

Rihana Bokhari

  • Deputy Chief Scientific Officer
  • Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine

Tarek Waked

  • Founding Partner
  • Former Lead Investor & Board Member of Space Forge

Charles Chiu

  • Professor Laboratory Medicine
  • Associate Director of the UCSF Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

David Marsh

  • Director, Space Station Strategy
  • Former Program Manager, Nanoracks

Cathy Yeung

  • Associate Professor of Pharmacy
  • Investigator at Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology

2023 Humans In Space Challenge Briefing

2023 Humans In Space: The extraordinary for the ordinary