Plenary session looks at keys to unlocking business potential in the space economy
BOSTON (MA) – The International Space Station (ISS) continues to be a valuable platform for innovation in low Earth orbit (LEO), providing entrepreneurs and investors with tools to develop and validate a growing range of value creation opportunities. A plenary session on Day 2 of the 13th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) in Boston will delve into investor expectations for growth in the space industry.
ISSRDC is the only conference dedicated specifically to showcasing scientific and technological advancements made onboard the orbiting laboratory and the impacts on the growing economy in LEO. During the session “Investing in Space: The Path Forward After Reset,” capital market leaders will cover a broad range of topics focused on the growth outlook in the space industry and catalysts for investment activity. In addition to discussing the current landscape of the expanding LEO economy, this session will touch on the role the ISS plays in building demand for space-based research and technology development, and what the future holds for capital access.
Over the years, both NASA and the ISS National Lab have invested heavily in advancing compelling research areas such as in-space production applications and the validation of new technologies and facilities on the space station. Additionally, the ISS National Lab has collaborated on a variety of initiatives to support early-stage companies. This includes the Technology in Space Prize, a partnership with Boeing and MassChallenge, that has provided nearly $10 million in funding to startups, allowing them to think beyond Earth’s horizons for innovative solutions to benefit humanity.
Space-based research from startups, including those awarded via the Technology in Space Prize, has yielded results indicating significant market and competitive differentiation potential. This has played a key role in their ability to secure investment dollars. The cumulative funding raised by all startups after ISS National Lab-sponsored flight projects totals more than $2.1 billion.
Chris Quilty, co-CEO and president of Quilty Space, will moderate this eye-opening session on Wednesday, July 31. Joining the session will be a variety of panelists whose companies focus on investing within the aerospace and space technology communities, including:
ISSRDC 2024 takes place July 29-August 1 at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston. A series of announcements in the coming weeks will highlight additional keynote speakers and panel sessions. This year’s conference also features lightning talks, plenary presentations, technical sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. A marketplace expo allows companies to showcase the advancement of opportunities in LEO and will provide a venue to meet with researchers and stakeholders.
ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™), manager of the ISS National Lab; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society. To learn more about ISSRDC, including how to register, exhibit, and become a sponsor, please visit our conference website.
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 Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of 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 our website.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page
