May 1st, 2023 |
By David Bullock
In recent months NASA has created two new entities to help them engage with stakeholders to advance innovation and collaboration in the emerging new era space science and commerce. The Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC) and the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC).
The Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC) is a group of government and industry organizations focused on developing technologies and capabilities to enable human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. The consortium was established in 2019 and is led by NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems Division. COSMIC's primary goal is to develop the necessary technologies to support long-duration missions to the moon and other destinations in the solar system.
COSMIC's focus areas include surface mobility, in-space propulsion, and in-situ resource utilization. The group is developing new propulsion systems that can enable faster and more efficient travel to destinations like Mars, as well as technologies for mining and processing resources found on the moon and other celestial bodies. COSMIC is also developing new surface mobility systems that can navigate the challenging terrain of the moon and other planetary surfaces.
The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) is another group working to drive innovation and collaboration in the space sector. The group comprises members from industry, academia, and government organizations, all working together to develop new technologies and capabilities for lunar exploration and utilization.
LSIC's focus areas include in-situ resource utilization, power systems, and lunar infrastructure. The group is developing new technologies that can extract water and other resources from the moon's surface, as well as systems for producing and storing energy on the lunar surface. LSIC is also developing concepts for lunar habitats and infrastructure supporting long-term human presence on the moon.
In conclusion, COSMIC and LSIC are essential groups driving innovation and collaboration in the space sector. By developing new technologies and capabilities for lunar exploration and utilization, these groups are helping to pave the way for human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. As the space sector continues to expand, collaboration and innovation will be critical to ensure we can explore and utilize space resources safely and efficiently.
