The University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) has joined the Axiom Space University Alliance, a global initiative created to expand scientific opportunities in microgravity research, technology development, R&D and commercial innovation in low Earth orbit (LEO).
UH is among 15 current partners across the United States, Europe and Australia in the Alliance’s inaugural cohort. The Alliance is designed to help preserve and expand access to microgravity for research and innovation as the world transitions from government led to commercially owned and operated space stations.
The Alliance will serve as a global coalition for microgravity research and technology development, identifying research gaps and opportunities, aligning national and international research priorities, and providing a venue for international cooperation and resource sharing that benefits life on Earth and human exploration. Axiom Space, builder of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station, is convening universities to foster collaboration, resource sharing, shared access pathways to LEO platforms and flight opportunities, and capacity building for new and seasoned space researchers.
“Joining the Axiom Space University Alliance positions UH to contribute to the next chapter of LEO research and technology commercialization,” said Karolos Grigoriadis, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Endowed Professor & Chair of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. “This alliance opens pathways for our faculty and students to design, test, and fly microgravity experiments, connecting our labs with industry partners and commercial LEO platforms.”
The UH MAE Department hosts the NASA Inflatable Deployable Environments and Adaptive Space Systems (IDEAS²) Center, a five year, $5 million initiative advancing novel space infrastructure and adaptive technologies. The Axiom Space University Alliance will connect this program to commercial LEO platforms, creating a pipeline to payload development, on orbit demonstrations, shared resources, and industry partnerships.