Companies to Discuss Next-Generation Space Stations at ISSRDC

CLD panel (2)

The future of space is commercial. At the 2022 International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC), Axiom Space, Nanoracks, Northrop Grumman, and Sierra Space will provide updates on the commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) platforms they are developing. The panel session will take place on Wednesday, July 27, in Washington, D.C.  

Over the past two years, NASA has taken significant steps toward enabling the development of independent commercial destinations that meet NASA’s long-term needs in LEO while fostering the growth of a robust LEO economy. Beginning in 2020, NASA competitively awarded Axiom Space the opportunity to connect the first habitable modules of their Axiom Station to the International Space Station (ISS). In late 2021, NASA followed with competitive awards to Blue Origin, Nanoracks, and Northrup Grumman to develop designs for free-flying commercial destinations in space. By doing so, NASA seeks to become one of many users capable of leveraging these new venues once the ISS is retired.   

The ISS is a unique incubator enabling access and opportunity that furthers development of space-based applications and research, paving the way for the commercial LEO destinations of the future. In this session, leading U.S. companies developing LEO platforms will highlight progress, as well as the excitement and challenges, of establishing robust and sustainable markets in space. The session will feature the following panelists: 

  • Christian Maender, Executive Vice President of In-Space Solutions, Axiom Space
  • Amela Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Nanoracks, LLC
  • Rick Mastracchio, Director of Business Development, Human Exploration and Operations, Northrop Grumman  
  • Janet Kavandi, President, Sierra Space 

NASA’s Manager of the ISS Research Integration Office, Ryan Prouty, will moderate this panel discussion.  

ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS), manager of the ISS National Laboratory; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society (AAS). The conference, being held July 25-28, 2022, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., allows leaders in science and industry to explore ways to utilize the ISS to maximize their research and technology development goals.  

Registration for the 11th annual ISSRDC is now open. To learn more about the conference, including other sessions and how to attend, please visit www.issconference.org.