About SPACE-H
Space-H is a new initiative designed by Starburst Aerospace (Starburst) in collaboration with NASA’s Human Research Program (NASA HRP) and the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and made possible by support from Microsoft Federal (Microsoft). Space-H is a Space Health Accelerator, and will serve to drive innovation and investment in next generation biological and medical technology to enable space exploration.
The human spaceflight sector is growing rapidly, with commercial space companies poised to be the primary driver of human spaceflight activity by 2040 and NASA’s focus on space exploration taking on a new dimension. Under the Artemis program, NASA is focused on returning humans to the Moon and establishing sustainable lunar operations as a foundation for future deep space missions. These missions present new challenges and a new opportunity to expand the field of players working to solve the health and performance risks in human spaceflight.
An expanded field of commercial partners is needed to develop new technologies to address the healthcare challenges associated with space exploration. There is a need to develop new tools and new systems to manage to support a more diverse pool of space travelers on longer missions, accommodate more pre-existing conditions, and enable a wider range of in-space activities.
The Space-H Space Health Accelerator will play a critical role in advancing the growing field of space health by supporting biotech and biomed entrepreneurs who are new to the space industry and facilitating the uptake of new space-capable commercial capabilities into NASA HRP.
Powered by Starburst, the program will guide the next generation of space health entrepreneurs working on commercially viable biotech and medtech solutions that address the needs of NASA HRP. Companies selected to participate will receive guidance from space health subject matter experts, exposure to external funders and investors, and insight into the ways that entrepreneurs can work with NASA.
Microsoft, a global leader in technology and innovation, is supporting this initiative through mentorship and by providing participants with access to cutting-edge cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on the Azure platform through Microsoft for Startups. This collaboration underscores Microsoft's commitment to advancing space exploration and fostering the next generation of space pioneers.
About Starburst
Founded in 2012, Starburst Aerospace is an innovation catalyst in the global Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry. Combining three complementary activities—accelerators, strategy consulting, & ventures—they help stakeholders innovate, navigate and invest in the dynamic ecosystem. With offices in Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Madrid, and Washington, D.C., Starburst has built a robust community with 60+ corporate and government partners and a portfolio of 140+ startups while identifying all sources of innovation that will impact the aerospace value chain. Starburst's leading Flagship Accelerator program helps startups scale their business in aviation, space, and defense with access to one of the largest groups of corporate representatives, government stakeholders, and private venture investors in the world. More information about Starburst can be found at www.starburst.aero.
About NASA HRP
NASA’s Human Research Program, or HRP, pursues the best methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel. Through science conducted in laboratories, ground-based analogs, and the International Space Station, HRP scrutinizes how spaceflight affects human bodies and behaviors. Such research drives HRP’s quest to innovate ways that keep astronauts healthy and mission-ready as space travel expands to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
About TRISH
Led by Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Space Medicine, TRISH is a consortium that includes partners Caltech and MIT. NASA Human Research Program recently awarded the Institute a six-year extension to further its work by delivering disruptive solutions to mitigate biomedical risks for human exploration while advancing terrestrial health technologies. Learn more about TRISH at bcm.edu/spacehealth and follow the Institute on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@BCMSpaceHealth).