Institute for Space Development Research | Active and Emerging Research Projects

The Institute for Space Development Research is working on or preparing the following projects. Feel free to contact us regarding any of them.

Space Resources Study (SPARES)

The SPARES project is working on developing an "atlas" and catalog of useful near-Earth solar system resources. The project goals include gathering the location, quantification, and basic logistical information of space-based resources including metals, fuels, energy, and resources for commerce and living in the nearby space environment. The region of inquiry for this project is guided by the related Space 2050 project. The results of the SPARES project will support our research in developing a broader plan for near-Earth development and will serve as a valuable resource for the broader space research community.

Space 2050 | Near-Earth Development Plan

This project examines the possibility of developing and colonizing the near-Earth environment in the near-term. This environment spans Earth orbit, the moon, near-Earth asteroids, Mars, and the asteroid belt and is broken into phases of development that start close to home. In particular, we view this region as a "system" where resources are acquired, distributed, and shared in a self-supporting and economically profitable manner. Considerable effort is placed in the establishment of self-supporting systems, exports, and the establishment of a new space-economy. With up-front focus on the development of basic infrastructure, considerable longer-term development can be handed off to private industry and public costs can potentially be reduced. 2050 has been chosen as the target date for Phase I of this plan.

Near-Earth Object Observation & Analysis

This is an emerging project that will be using the Observatories in the Rocky Mountain regions to observe near-Earth objects (NEOs) and measure some of their properties. In particular, we'll be measuring their lightcurves and extrapolating from this data information about their mass, density, and principal rotational axes. Where possible we'll also be making spectroscopic measurements to attempt direct observation of spectral features that reveal the mineralogical properties of the object. Secondary goals include refinement of orbital parameters and the hope of additional object detection.

Plasma Engineering

Research into the use of plasmas for propulsion systems and gas/volatile/atmospheric processing. Plasma technologies are likely to find broad application in space and we are researching the ways in which their unique properties can be used for space-based resource utilization and processing, manufacturing, surface treatments, and propulsion systems that can be refueled in space. Low-power and efficient ways for producing and controlling plasma properties and behavior are of particular interest.

Asteroid, NEO, & Lunar Resource Acquisition and Mining Research

Research into the near-term possibility of mining the Moon and near-Earth asteroids for the acquisition of important metals, building materials, water, and fuels for Earth and space-based operations and habitats. Considerable interest is placed in the use of Asteroid-based materials for the manufacture in space of infrastructure to support other industries and activities. Particular emphasis is placed in the potential of a lunar platform for resource processing, manufacturing, and transit.

Applications & Production of Metal Foams

Metallic foams are very interesting for space-based applications because they are very strong yet considerably lighter than a solid of their parent metal. Further, they retain the physical, chemical, and fireproof properties of their source metal. Thermal conductivity, however, is often reduced. Manufacturing metallic foams on Earth is problematic because gravity makes the molten metal "sink" while the bubbles rise during production. Therefore, low or zero gravity environments are preferred for making uniform foams.

Metal foams might permit the casting of structural components for building using an "erector set" of parts that can be manufactured using metals found in space. Metal foams are also being investigated, and used in some cases, for bone repair as metal foams can provide a structure for bone to grow into for repair.

ISDR is investigating how metal foams might permit the construction of large structure in space using metals also sourced in space. We are investigating the issues surrounding metal foam production with an eye toward using them in space to the construction of large surface and space-based structures.

Sub-Orbital Science

Kicking off at the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC) 2010 in Boulder Colorado, ISDR began developing concepts for research opportunities that take advantage of the emerging commercial sub-orbital spaceflight industry. The emergence of this industry is expected to allow much cheaper access to space for short durations permitting repeated experiments in micro-gravity at a fraction of previous space-access costs.

Human Factors

Research into human factors in space including physical and psychological health, social connectivity, productivity and efficiency, food and plant science, nutrition, supplementation, and safety. Current efforts are focused on preparing space faring individuals for extended space missions. ISDR is also working to understand how knowledge from the sports fitness communities can be extended to the space industry to deal with physical and psychological factors including bone loss, muscle loss, maximum performance, mood management, and general health by integrating nutrition, supplementation, and exercise.

Earth & Space Resource / Commodity Analysis & Forecasting

This project is studying the global consumption of key base materials with the intention of assessing the long-term sustainability of supply and sourcing. This project includes research into the economic market activity of these materials and the possibility of resourcing space for future acquisition and supply. Additional effort is made to attempt to forecast the point at which space-based acquisition becomes economically viable or preferred.

This project is developing scenarios to forecast the evolution of resource/commodity demand under a variety of future global circumstances and project the potential development of space infrastructure costs associated with acquiring these same resources in the nearby space environment. The key purpose is to assess costs and time frames for an economically viable transition to space mining and resourcing. This project is also looking for resources that are plentiful in space and scarce or prohibitively expensive on Earth and what technologies have been unable to emerge due to that scarcity. Earth-based markets for technologies made available by space access is a key interest to our organization.

Space Applications of Technology Working Group

The Space Applications of Technology working group studies the potential space applications of technologies developed for non-space related reasons and looks for research, investment, and commercial overlap opportunities. Many technologies are being developed right now for use on Earth that may also be useful in space development operations and permit significant cost reduction while providing a new application and potential market for the technology.

Multi-User Environments for Economic & Behavioral Modeling

The Institute for Space Development Research is interested in the development of an multi-user environment that can be used to model economic, social, and behavioral models of human space development. We believe that doing so will make numerous revelations about how individuals and groups will behave, collaborate, and compete in the restricted environment of a new space development. We liken this effort to the various physical research stations already in operation to reveal issues both small and large, and learn useful lessons in advance of a real space settlement effort.

Open NewSpace Group

ISDR firmly believes that free and open access to information, data, and research results obtained with government support and tax dollars should be accessible to all citizens that supported it. To that end, the Open NewSpace project seeks to develop a web-based platform for the dissemination and discussion of research results, data, and ideas. The Space KnowledgeBase is one of the groups projects.

Space KnowledgeBase

Our industry is made up not only of long established organizations like NASA and their contractors, but also of small organizations and myriad independent researchers who may not even work formally in the space industry. The purpose of the Space KnowledgeBase project is to provide a central web location for access to reference materials, mission data, and images to all researchers within our new industry. Particular focus is placed on providing open access to useful information for the entire NewSpace community and independent scientists. Space KnowledgeBase is a project of the Open NewSpace group.

All of these projects are in need of financial support or assets in the form of computers, instruments, and basic laboratory assets and equipment. Please consider helping.

Please Consider Contributing to the Institute for Space Development Research

We hope you'll consider contributing or donating to the non-profit efforts of the Institute for Space Development Research. Our work supports the effort to explore and develop the near-Earth environment for the benefit of Earth and humanity, research human settlement and space-based resource acquisition, and remove barriers for private industry while creating technical jobs, economic opportunity, and supporting the next generation.

Active & Developing Research Projects and Working Groups