We are IBX

We are IBX  IBX portfolio companies achieved a series of out-of-this-world (literally) accomplishments in the first quarter of 2024. Since January 2024, we have seen three successful space launches and multiple wins outlining a thriving year ahead. In this edition of the "We Are IBX" newsletter, we discuss the latest news from IBX, our CEO Kam Ghaffarian, and the impactful businesses he's helped create: Note from Kam - A new phase of exploration IBX adds Bob Cabana as Senior Advisor Intuitive Machines becomes the first company to land on the Moon Axiom Space's third astronaut mission returns from ISS Quantum Space launches first satellite mission X-energy opens new state-of-the-art training facility PTX expands services Limitless Space Institute enables global STEM education Dear Friends, After the historic Intuitive Machine's Moon landing I jotted some initial thoughts about the historic mission, humanity's place among the stars and my predictions for a new phase of lunar exploration. I encourage you to read it and let me know what you think. There is no doubt that it was an incredible moment that will lead to even more incredible future.  The full article is posted here. The Moon: A New Phase of Exploration On February 22, a new chapter in space exploration began as Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar lander made its historic arrival on the Moon's south pole. This event heralded America's return to the lunar surface, but more profoundly, it signaled the start of a new phase of discovery where the creativity of the private sector fuels the boundless potential of space exploration. Sitting with my fellow co-founders, Steve Altemus and Tim Crain, the dream of landing on the Moon evolved from a spark to a roaring flame. Amidst the challenges, our unwavering resolve and strong partnerships with NASA and commercial partners enabled the path for Odysseus to reach the Moon and secure success against all odds. IM-1's Odysseus collected invaluable data farther south on the lunar surface than any vehicle has ever explored, successfully delivering U.S. Government payloads. The mission tested new technologies and innovations and opened opportunities for new markets and products worldwide while achieving these feats at a fraction of traditional costs. It solidified that the Moon is no longer the exclusive realm of governments. Intuitive Machines is redefining space exploration, and we have only just begun.   CONTINUE READING Bob Cabana Joins IBX as Senior Advisor  Robert "Bob" Cabana, a former NASA Associate Administrator and distinguished astronaut, has joined IBX as Senior Advisor. In his new capacity, Cabana will leverage his wealth of experience in leadership, aerospace, and innovation to advise the IBX portfolio companies and provide strategic insights to Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, founder and chairman of X-Energy, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space, Quantum Space, and various other companies. Before joining IBX, Cabana served as NASA's Associate Administrator, the agency's third-highest executive role and its highest-ranking civil servant. In this capacity, he served as a trusted advisor to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, providing strategic guidance and leadership to the agency's ten center directors and mission directorate associate administrators. Cabana distinguished himself as the Director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, overseeing all activities and facilities at the iconic spaceport. Cabana was selected as an astronaut in 1985, embarked on an illustrious space career, including four spaceflights, and was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.  Learn more about Bob and his new role.  Intuitive Machines' Trailblazing Journey to Landing on the Moon Intuitive Machines achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing its Nova-C class lunar lander, Odysseus, on the Moon's south pole region, marking the first commercial company to accomplish such a feat. This inaugural moon landing mission, officially called IM-1, signifies a new era in lunar and space exploration, highlighting Intuitive Machines' pioneering role in pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. Throughout IM-1, the company demonstrated its innovative spirit and technical expertise through a series of groundbreaking achievements, including the first cryogenic fueling of a payload on the pad, the maiden flight of a linerless composite fuel tanks, and the unprecedented firing of a methalox engine beyond Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and in lunar orbit. This success solidifies Intuitive Machines' position as a leader in space exploration and sets the stage for future missions that will further expand humanity's reach into the cosmos. Watch a video re-cap of the mission:  A History of Beating Expectations Intuitive Machines has showcased impressive financial resilience alongside its groundbreaking achievements in lunar exploration. Bolstered by a contracted backlog of $268.6 million and an ending cash balance of $54.6 million as of March 1, 2024, Intuitive Machines stands out for its robust financial position, marking its largest cash balance relative to any quarter-end since its IPO. With the successful validation of its proprietary propulsion system and secured funding for future Artemis campaign contracts proposals, Intuitive Machines is well-positioned for sustained success as it prepares for its second lunar mission later this year. Read MORE. Axiom Space Concludes Third Astronaut Mission The Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew successfully returned from their historic voyage, concluding the first all-European commercial astronaut mission and Axiom Space’s third crewed trip to the ISS. The Ax-3 crewmembers include Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency (ESA). During their 18-day stay on board the ISS, they conducted over 30 experiments advancing human physiology research both on Earth and in microgravity and participated in over 50 outreach engagements with students and organizations around the world. Ax-3 marked numerous milestones, including the first-ever Turkish astronaut and first ESA project astronaut to live and work in space. Axiom Space's three missions thus far have showcased the diverse potential of human spaceflight in the age of commercial space exploration, as the company continues to build opportunity in low-Earth orbit with a fourth mission planned for later this year. Testing of Next-Gen Spacesuit Underway Preparing to return humans to the Moon, Axiom Space is actively testing the AxEMU spacesuit for the Artemis III mission to the lunar surface, enhancing deep space exploration with improved mobility and endurance. Since the AxEMU prototype unveiling in March 2023, Axiom Space has made substantial progress in suit design and testing. The suit design is beyond the preliminary design review point with NASA and will enter the critical design review phase in June 2024. More details at https://www.axiomspace.com/axiom-suit Quantum Space Launches Inaugural Space Mission Quantum Space's Sentry mission, launched on SpaceX's Transporter 10 on March 4th, represents a breakthrough in space infrastructure with its first sensing vehicle, Scout-1, now orbiting in a key position within the QuantumNet architecture. QuantumNet is set to offer unprecedented, high-speed connectivity across deep space, removing communication barriers and enhancing operations in commerce, security, and exploration from GEO to beyond the moon. This successful inaugural mission marks a pivotal moment in advancing space exploration infrastructure. The data from Scout-1 will refine QuantumNet's deployment, leading to the introduction of Ranger vehicles for broader operational capabilities. These vehicles will support a variety of missions, leveraging advanced AI for space domain awareness, data processing and communication, thereby strengthening the foundation for future commercial and governmental space endeavors and expanding the realm of space exploration and utilization. X-energy's SMRs Will Power AI's Future X-energy, a pioneer in small modular reactors (SMRs), targets the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector's demand for energy. Recognizing AI as a significant, emerging market, X-energy's efforts highlight the potential of nuclear power as a sustainable, carbon-free energy solution. The company emphasizes the critical need for reliable, around-the-clock energy to support data centers that operate 24/7, a requirement that SMRs are uniquely positioned to meet. With ongoing discussions with tech firms about energy supply, X-energy aligns its nuclear technology with the future needs of the digital and electric economy, including AI and electric vehicles.   X-energy Unveils Plant Support Center for Training Xe-100 Advanced Small Modular Reactor Operators   In March, X-energy launched its inaugural Plant Support Center (PSC) in Frederick, Md., marking a pivotal step towards deploying its innovative Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor. The opening heralds a revolution in nuclear operator training, boasting a cutting-edge facility equipped with a full-scale plant control room simulator and virtual reality experiences. With a capacity to train up to 52 operators simultaneously, the PSC offers an immersive learning environment, leveraging virtual and simulated technologies. Central to its design is a sophisticated control room simulator mirroring the Xe-100's automated digital systems, reflecting collaborative efforts with U.S. Department of Energy programs. PTX: Pioneering Aerospace Excellence As humanity's ventures into space intensify, the demand for PTX's specialized aerospace engineering services is surging. PTX partners with U.S. government agencies and the private sector to propel national space exploration, research, and defense missions to new heights. Offering a robust portfolio of services, including R&D, flight system lifecycle management, mission operations, and space communications, PTX stands at the forefront of enabling groundbreaking advancements in space with its agile, cost-effective, and high-performance engineering solutions. Empowering STEM Education in Brazil with the Limitless Global Educator Program February marked a pivotal moment for STEM education in Brazil and Nigeria as the Limitless Space Institute (LSI) launched the Limitless Global Educator Program (LGEP), sponsored by IHS Towers. Working with Brazil and Nigeria’s space agencies, this initiative aims to elevate STEM teaching in public schools, leveraging space exploration to inspire and prepare the next generation for technological advancements. With a focus on empowering educators with enhanced knowledge and confidence in STEM subjects, LGEP represents a significant leap towards nurturing the minds that will drive the future of space exploration and beyond. Powering STEM with Educator Empowerment and Community Outreach The Limitless Space Institute is redefining STEM education by directly supporting educators and connecting with underserved communities. LSI's mission encompasses providing educators with professional development opportunities, including STEM workshops and the Limitless Educator Summer Institute, to foster engaging and innovative classroom experiences centered on interstellar travel. Moreover, LSI focuses on developing adaptable, state-aligned STEM lesson plans and conducting community outreach programs to inspire diverse student groups towards STEM fields. Through these efforts, LSI aims to create a dynamic educational environment where the potential for discovery and innovation in space exploration and STEM careers is limitless. (NOTE: The Emerging Light Foundation supports The Limitless Space Institute and other nonprofit organizations) Forward this newsletter to friend Copyright © 2022, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

IBX Mid-Year Recap // Transforming Business with Unity Consciousness

We are IBX.  Midway through 2023 and here is a quick recap from IBX and Kam Ghaffarian. Here are the toplines: Note from Kam, transforming business with "Unity Consciousness"  Intuitive Machines completes lander test run  Axiom Space successfully completes second astronaut mission to ISS X-energy advances to the market Quantum Space announces new leadership  Philanthropic Focus on STEM education All, The right mindset is vital for success in life and business. Today, I want to talk to you about Unity Consciousness.    Unity consciousness is a profound state of awareness that transcends individual selfhood, embracing the hearts and souls of all beings and existence. It manifests a profound sense of oneness, compassion, love, and reverence for humanity and the natural world.   Imagine a spaceship carrying 100 diverse individuals from different continents, races, religions, and genders, venturing beyond our solar system. What if they encountered intelligent beings in another part of the galaxy, able to communicate and relate? The humans would find that their national origins, skin color, and personal beliefs pale compared to the shared connection as members of the same human race and inhabitants of Earth.    This portrayal reflects the essence of unity consciousness, where individual divisions dissolve, and we recognize ourselves as interconnected people and appreciate our diversity as a collective strength.   Embracing unity consciousness fosters empathy and respect, paving the way for cooperation and progress. As we cultivate this expanded mindset, it provides a transformative perspective that enables stronger relationships, fosters collaboration, and allows us to work towards a more compassionate and sustainable future. Unity consciousness can elevate our dealings at every stage, personal and business, by identifying opportunities for harmony and mutual understanding.   I encourage you to reflect on this concept and look for opportunities to incorporate unity conscience in your life. If we all took this approach, the world would be a better place.  Warm Regards, Kam Intuitive Machines Lander Passes Complete Spacecraft Test Run To the Moon - Intuitive Machines has successfully conducted a complete spacecraft test run of its Nova-C lunar lander – a significant technical achievement in the Company’s efforts to complete its lunar lander. The full spacecraft test run verified Nova-C’s flight software, flight avionics, liquid oxygen and liquid Methane loading, high-pressure helium system performance, propulsion system complete functionality, and culminating in a hot fire of the Nova-C main engine. New Headquarters - Construction is almost complete on Intuitive Machine’s Lunar Production and Operations Center, a 100,000+ square feet facility. In partnership with the City of Houston and the Houston Airport System, Intuitive Machine is financing the $40 million project that will enable the Company to meet growing demand across all business units.    Axiom Space Completes Second Successful Astronaut Mission to ISS NASA Awards Axiom Space ISS Spacesuit Contract – Axiom Space announced that NASA has awarded the Houston-based company an International Space Station (ISS) Extravehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuit task order, with a potential value of $142 million over four years, to modify its Artemis III lunar spacesuit design for advancing NASA’s ISS spacewalking capabilities. This is the second spacesuit contract to be awarded to Axiom Space by NASA, the first being the $228 million task order in 2022 to develop the lunar spacesuit for the Artemis III mission back to the Moon. The new NASA  task order further enables Axiom Space to take advantage of its plans to use a single, foundational architecture to complete the designs of the two spacesuits in parallel, one for the ISS and one for the lunar surface.   Ax-2 Mission Complete – Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) was the second commercial astronaut mission to the ISS, marking several historic firsts for human spaceflight. The four-person, multinational crew included Commander Peggy Whitson, who became the first female Commander of a private space mission and topped her record of most time spent in space by an American, 675 cumulative days; pilot John Shoffner, the first person from Alaska to travel to space; and two mission specialists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, who made history as the first Saudi astronauts to visit the ISS. Barnawi became the first Saudi female to go to space.  The Ax-2 mission truly expanded access to space and demonstrated how we can use microgravity to build a better life on Earth. Ax-2 was a successful 10-day mission on orbit, with eight days docked to the ISS. The Ax-2 crew conducted more than 20 different experiments, technology demonstrations and engaged in STEAM outreach. The crew collected data to help us better understand human physiology on Earth and on orbit, and studied prospective therapies for colorectal and breast cancers by testing countermeasure drugs on the ISS. Watch the Ax-2 Mission Highlights - VIDEO X-energy Advances to the Market  Clean Energy Technology: X-energy announced a joint development agreement with Energy Northwest for up to 12 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors in central Washington capable of generating up to a total of 960 megawatts of carbon-free electricity. The companies have engaged extensively on plans for an Xe-100 facility in central Washington since 2020. They expect to bring the first Xe-100 module online by 2030 at a site controlled by Energy Northwest adjacent to Columbia Generating Station.    Hello Texas! - Dow has selected a site for its project with X-energy, selecting its UCC Seadrift Operations manufacturing site in Texas for its proposed project under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. The project aims to provide the Seadrift site with safe, reliable, zero carbon emissions power and steam and is expected to be the first advanced SMR nuclear plant at an industrial site in North America.   Major Milestones - Ares Acquisition Corporation X-energy provided an update to their business combination agreement, reinforcing their commitment to long-term value creation for shareholders. X-energy also announced the completion of key engineering and design milestones as its Xe-100 advanced small modular nuclear reactor (“SMR”) has progressed from basic design to the Final Design Readiness Review phase. Reaching this phase demonstrates the substantial progress the Company has made to develop and eventually deploy its innovative advanced nuclear technology to provide clean, safe, zero-carbon energy. Quantum Space Accelerates Ranger Progress New Executive Leadership - In June, Quantum Space announced entrepreneur, industry veteran and former Chief Operating Officer, Kerry Wisnosky, has been named president and CEO of the company. In this new role, Kerry is responsible for Quantum’s strategic direction moving forward as the company expands its government and commercial in-space logistics and data services offerings. Ranger Progress - Seeing increased demand from commercial and government customers, Quantum announced it’s accelerating the development of its Ranger, a large, highly capable and modular orbital transfer vehicle, into mid-2025. Ranger is designed to host and precisely deliver payloads directly in Geostationary orbit (GEO) and cislunar space. The vehicle can place more than 1.5 metric tons into GEO and features four ports for attaching spacecraft weighing up to 500 kilograms each. MORE in Space News.  Giving Back - Quantum Space employees took part in a “Day of Giving,” volunteering in multiple locations in the DC area. It was a great example of doing good in the community while also having fun with co-workers. We couldn’t be prouder of our team for the work they are doing here, and in space, to make this planet a better place for everyone. Philanthropic Focus: STEM Education Through the Emerging Light Foundation, IBX supports various charities and causes.  LSI Educator Summer Institute: Limitless Space Institute (LSI) hosted its first Educator Summer Institute, providing professional development to educators through the Limitless Educators cohort. The institute equipped educators with the necessary skills to integrate STEM and space-related curricula into their classrooms. Additionally, the educators had the opportunity to design a new curriculum for LSI and participate in organized tours of renowned institutions. LSI also actively supported the 8th Interstellar Space Symposium at McGill University, serving as a platform for experts and researchers to exchange knowledge on interstellar exploration. Powering the Future: LSI's personnel successfully completed a round of custom Casimir cavity prototypes for nanomanufacturing, showing promising results in generating net power. Space Art Contest - The Space Art Contest, a collaboration between The Limitless Space Institute, Crayola Experience, and Axiom Space's Ax-2 Pilot John Shoffner, achieved tremendous success, with over 900 submissions from talented individuals worldwide. During the Ax-2 mission, astronaut Shoffner recognized the exceptional artwork and poetry live from the International Space Station. More details can be found at www.spaceartcontest.com. In the News:  What will the next footprints on the Moon look like? (BBC) Axiom Space, Build-A-Bear partner to send teddy bear to space ‘Gigi’ built to inspire future space explorers, careers in steam (Axiom Space)  Intuitive Machines’ Steve Altemus is Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Gulf South award winner (Intuitive Machines) Quantum Space announces Ranger multi-operations vehicle to revolutionize access to GEO, cislunar space, and beyond (Quantum Space) Axiom Space, European Space Agency sign agreement with Swedish national space agency on future mission to International Space Station (Axiom Space) United States: Dow's decarbonization ambitions via X-energy's SMR (Energy Intelligence) X-energy and Ares Acquisition Corporation announce strategic update to business combination terms to reinforce long-term value creation opportunity and alignment with shareholders (X-energy) Axiom Space introduces new program to offer countries customized, sustainable access to low-Earth orbit (Axiom Space) Intuitive Machines announces appointment of Nicole Seligman to board of directors (Intuitive Machines) Intuitive Machines lunar landing site moves to South Pole (NASA) NASA expands developers' contracts for its next-gen spacesuits (Engadget) Forward this newsletter to friend Copyright © 2022, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Ghaffarian Leads Two Companies to Go Public

We are IBX.  "The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever." - Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Dear Friends, The start of 2023 has been a non-stop worldwide effort for IBX and Kam Ghaffarian, as he leads many of his major entities to new heights. Here are the toplines: Note from Kam on our commitment to our shared vision Intuitive Machines makes its debut on NASDAQ X-energy is going public Axiom Space announces Ax-2 Crew and new lunar spacesuits Quantum Space closes series A funding round  Philanthropic Focus to support STEM education   All, As we continue our collective mission to advance the state of humanity and human knowledge, I am reminded of the power of limitless thinking. The human mind is capable of incredible feats when we allow ourselves to dream big and break free from the constraints of conventional thinking. It's up to us to push the boundaries of what is possible and make a lasting impact on the world. At the heart of our mission is the belief in ourselves and our ability to create a better future. We must have faith in our vision, trust in our capabilities, and believe in the power of our ideas. It's not enough to dream big, we must execute on our ideas and turn them into reality. This is where our passion, resilience, and hard work come into play. As we continue to work towards our shared vision, let us keep in mind that the road to success is not without challenges. But with a strong belief in ourselves, a willingness to learn from failure, and a commitment to executing our vision, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Let's continue to strive for excellence, think without limits, and make a positive impact on the world. Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work, and I look forward to seeing the incredible things we will achieve together. Warm Regards, Kam Intuitive Machines Listed in the NASDAQ It’s Public - Intuitive Machines is now a publicly traded company. It announced the completion of its business combination with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. (“Inflection Point”) (Nasdaq: IPAX, IPAXU, IPAXW), a special purpose acquisition company traded on Nasdaq. On February 14, Intuitive Machines Inc’s common stock and warrants began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “LUNR” and “LUNRW,” respectively. MORE   To the South Pole - In collaboration with NASA, Intuitive Machines announced that its first mission, IM-1 mission, is being redirected to the lunar South Pole Region to align with NASA’s priority objectives to return of lunar scientific data in support of the Artemis Program.  MORE   Launch Vibration Tests Complete – Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander, Nova-C, has completed all structural testing, paving the way for the Company’s first mission to the Moon later this year. MORE    X-energy Files to Go Public Powerful Partnership - X-energy and Dow, the world’s leading materials science company, are working together to deploy the first advanced small modular nuclear reactor at industrial sites under DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). Dow intends to work with X-energy to install their Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (“HTGR”) plant at one of Dow’s U.S. Gulf Coast sites, providing the site with safe, reliable, low-carbon power and steam within this decade. MORE   Going Public - X-Energy and Ares Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: AAC), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, announced the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to merge. This is an important step as X-Energy seeks to be a publicly traded company. MORE    First Center Now Open - X-Energy is opening its first Xe-100 reactor fleet management, monitoring, and training facility in Frederick, Maryland. Called the Plant Support Center-East (PSCE), this regional center marks the first step in X-energy’s Commercial Operations Services business and will support the initial deployment of the Company’s advanced modular reactor plants. MORE   Axiom Space Announces Ax-2 Crew, Lunar Spacesuits International Crew – Axiom Space announced the full crew complement for Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), the second all-private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, will lead the privately funded mission, and aviator John Shoffner of Knoxville, Tennessee, will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists, Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), are members of the inaugural Saudi national astronaut program. The mission is targeted for launch in May 2023 and will be the first private space mission to include both private astronauts and astronauts representing a foreign government, as well as the first private mission commanded by a woman. MORE Next-Generation Lunar Spacesuit - When astronauts return to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission, they will wear Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit to walk on the lunar surface. The new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuits will provide astronauts with advanced capabilities for space exploration equipped with high-performing, robust equipment designed to accommodate a wide range of crew members. MORE Innovation Leader - Axiom Space is on Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the top 50 World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023. This year’s list highlights the businesses at the forefront of their respective industries, paving the way for the innovations of tomorrow. MORE. Quantum Space Closes Series A Funding Round Accelerating - In December, Quantum Space announced it received a $15 million investment from Prime Movers Lab, a U.S.-based venture capital firm, and two other investments of $1 million each from private investors. The investment accelerates design and development work on the QS-1 Scout spacecraft and also advances work on the QS-1 space situational awareness (SSA) EO payload from GEOST as well as the spacecraft bus from Blue Canyon (RTX). MORE Expanding the Team - Quantum Space recently announced two key additions to the leadership team. Ron Thompson joined the team as Chief Data Officer. He brings over 30 years of experience leading large-scale data and digital transformation to public and private organizations, including serving as Chief Data Officer at NASA. He was also recently awarded CDO Magazine’s 2023 Government Technology Leadership award for his efforts in applying information technologies to improve the government. Additionally, David Missal joined the team as the Vice President of Corporate Development. In this role, David is responsible for decisions and strategies to help the company scale and grow, competitively differentiate itself, and maximize our impact to empower space commerce via providing essential utility and safety services required to operate in cislunar space. He brings more than 20 years of leadership in corporate development and sales, with deep and broad experience and relationships across the commercial space industry and government partners, customers, and missions.   Philanthropic Focus: Supporting STEM Education Space Art Contest - The Limitless Space Institute is hosting a space art and poetry contest in collaboration with Crayola Experience, MIT & Ax-2 Pilot John Shoffner. Winners will be announced LIVE from the International Space Station by astronaut Shoffner during Axiom Space's Ax-2 mission.  The Space Art and Poetry Contest is open to ages 5-18 and asks students, "What would it look like if we lived in space?"  With the help of a teacher or guardian, participants are encouraged to submit their most creative drawings, paintings, or poetry to www.spaceartcontest.com. In the News:  NASA and Axiom Reveal New Spacesuits for Artemis III Moon Mission (New York Times)  Intuitive Machines Successfully Completes Launch Vibration Tests in Preparation for Lunar Mission (Global News Wire)  Dow and X-energy to build U.S. Gulf Coast nuclear demonstration plant (Reuters)  Prime Movers Lab Invests $15M in Quantum Space (Via Satellite)  History Beckons as Three Arabs Prepare to Board International Space Station (The National)  Intuitive Machines Moves Landing Site of First Mission to Lunar South Pole (Space News)  TRISO-X Successfully Completes Fuel Test to Power Nuclear Thermal Propulsion in Space (X-energy) Knoxville man to pilot Axiom Space mission (WVLT) Going Above and Beyond to Bring Essential Resources Into Space (Benchmark) Forward this newsletter to friend Copyright © 2022, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? 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SPACs, Spacesuits, and Shovels

We are IBX.  Dear Friends, Thank you for joining us as we highlight the latest news about IBX and the affiliated companies led by Kam Ghaffarian. This new quarter brings a lot of big news. Let's dive right in. Here is what we have in this newsletter: Note from Kam: The power of "belief" in business success Intuitive Machines is going public X-energy breaks ground on America's first commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel facility Axiom Space to build the first Artemis Moonwalking spacesuits  Quantum Space announces plans for first mission  Limitless Space Institute focused on inspiring a new generation of space explorers  For many years I have been studying the power of "belief" as part of my spiritual and business journey. I have come to truly believe that the life we are experiencing and the success, or lack thereof, is because of our "belief system." In other words, if we conceive and believe it, we can achieve it. That is the reason I called my innovation family office, IBX. The name stands for Imagine, Believe, Execute. It is the power of belief that connects our imagination and our dreams and makes them our reality. If we study the people in history that have accomplished incredible feats, we will discover that they all had tremendous belief in achieving their objectives. Successful people like Thomas Edison, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs, and others could only have succeeded in their journeys if they had clarity and determination in their beliefs to achieve their objectives. Belief is quite powerful. Time Kight of Focus 3 shares the following maxim: the power of belief resides in one's ability to do four things: Belief creates vision. Belief creates strength of will. Belief creates resilience. Belief ignites and activates. I challenge you to examine and re-examine your belief in yourself and in your dreams. Clear and release limited thinking and replace them with focused, positive thoughts toward your objectives. Belief is the main ingredient in creating success. May your beliefs lead you to extraordinary success. Thanks, Kam Intuitive Machines to go public via SPAC merger  Intuitive Machines, a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company founded in 2013, and Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: IPAX, IPAXU, IPAXW), a special purpose acquisition company, announced that they have signed a definitive business combination agreement that will result in Intuitive Machines becoming publicly listed. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named Intuitive Machines Inc., and its securities will be listed on Nasdaq. The full details are here. Former NASA Exploration Leader hired as Chief Scientist. Ahead of Intuitive Machine’s first of four planned lunar missions, they announced the appointment of Ben Bussey, Ph.D., as Chief Scientist. Dr. Bussey will be responsible for interacting with the international science community to enable collaborations for exploring the Moon utilizing Intuitive Machines' landers and lunar data relay satellites. He will also play a leading role in working to maximize the scientific return of Intuitive Machines' lunar payloads. The appointment comes as Intuitive Machines prepares for the final assembly and integration of its lunar lander, Nova-C, which will take NASA payloads to the Moon to help lay the foundation for human missions. Learn more here.  X-energy building America's first commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel facility X-energy's TRISO-X  facility broke ground and began construction activities on North America's first commercial-scale advanced nuclear fuel facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. TRISO-X LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-energy, aims for the plant to be commissioned and operational by 2025. The TRISO-X Fuel Fabrication Facility (TF3) will be the genesis of future commercial-scale advanced nuclear energy innovation and deployment, creating more than 400 jobs and attracting an investment of approximately $300 million. A partnership with East Tennessee's Oak Ridge community and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In 2020, the DOE's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) selected X-energy's reactor technology to receive initial funding as part of a $3.2 billion program to develop, build, and demonstrate operational advanced reactors by the end of the decade. Watch a video recap of the event here.   Axiom Space selected to build the first Artemis Moonwalking spacesuits Axiom Space was selected to build the first Artemis Moonwalking spacesuits. This is the first task order award under NASA’s Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) Contract, which has a base value of $228.5 million. The new spacesuits by Axiom Space will provide astronauts with advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA commercially developed human systems needed to access, live, and work in microgravity as well as on and around the Moon.  The Axiom spacesuits' evolvable and flexible design will also enable Axiom to serve commercial customers in low Earth orbit and fulfill future space station goals that support a commercial space economy. Learn more here.    Expanding the International Community of Space Explorers In recent weeks Axiom has announced a number of new customers for their private astronaut missions and for the future Axiom Station. Saudi Arabia purchased two seats on Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), currently set to launch no earlier than the Spring of 2023. Canada and Axiom signed an MOU to explore the development of future space infrastructure and opportunities for sustained access to space, including the potential for Canadian astronauts to fly on future Axiom-sponsored missions. Türkiye will fly its first astronaut with Axiom Space in a historic deal signed at the International Astronomical Congress in Paris last month. The Axiom team met with New Zealand while at IAC to reaffirm their recent MOU to advance world-leading studies in science and technology and support the country’s space industry. Learn more here.  Quantum Space announces plans for first mission Quantum Space announced its first operational mission to cislunar space will launch in October 2024. Known as QS-1, the mission will be the first step in establishing a superhighway between the Earth and the Moon by deploying commercial capabilities that enable spacecraft to operate in and travel through cislunar space and beyond more effectively and efficiently.   QS-1, which will include partners GEOST, LLC and Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), will fly in cislunar space primarily around the two Earth-Moon-Lagrange Points 1 and 2 (EM-L1 and EM-L2) to establish commercial operations for the company. Key mission objectives will include producing space situational and space domain awareness data products, hosting customer payloads, advanced cislunar navigation methods, and autonomous station keeping. Read more.  Expanding Partnerships with Industry Leaders In recent weeks Quantum Space signed a number of agreements with space and technology companies to strengthen capabilities. Recently Quantum announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Axient for space systems development on government and commercial missions and projects for existing and new customers. This partnership will deliver value through new technologies and innovation by leveraging the complementary skills and capabilities of both Quantum Space and Axient. Learn more here.    Philanthropic Focus: Limitless Space Institute inspires all to think beyond our solar system Limited Space Institute, an independent 501(c)3 organization, continues to focus its efforts on inspiring a new generation of explorers. The Limitless Educator Program received numerous applications for this effort which will see the winners convene in Houston next February for a week of activities developing new classroom materials geared to teach students about deep space exploration.   LSI personnel supported presentations at the STARMUS VI conference in Armenia, St. Michael in Kentucky, and NASA Interns at JSC.  Additionally, LSI conducted two outreach events engaging middle school and high school students at Burbank Middle School in Houston and the TWST 4 Girls group at the Northwest Houston Center - Prairie View A&M University.    LSI’s Eagleworks Lab Conducts Groundbreaking Research R&D in the Eagleworks lab continues on exploring the physic and applications of the custom Casimir cavity prototypes. The team conduced passive voltage measurement tests (microvolt level) using high-quality EMI shielding hardware onsite at JSC. The data findings are in alignment with data collected using other test approaches, and the team is working to increase the magnitude of the effect. If successful, this nascent work may lead to disruptive technological applications pertinent not only to deep space exploration but numerous critical terrestrial applications. Learn more here.  In the News:  Intuitive Machines Announces Filing of Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Release) The era of civilian traveling in space a talk with Kam Ghaffarian and Michael López-Alegría (World Knowledge Forum) Quantum Space announces first cislunar mission (Space News) Canada eyes new astronaut flights with Axiom Space (Space.com) Commercial Lunar Network Completed Ahead of IM-1 Moon Mission (Release)  X-energy Announces Carol Tansley as Vice President, UK New Build Projects (Release) Axiom Space to fly Saudi astronauts (Space News) Limitless Space Institute announces 2nd biennial LSI Grants awards (Release)  Curtiss-Wright and X-energy Sign Preferred Strategic Supplier Agreement to Advance the Deployment of the Xe-100 Generation IV Advanced Small Modular Reactor (Release)    Forward this newsletter to friend Copyright © 2022, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

New Space Entities Launched | Inspiring a Purpose-driven Life

We are IBX.  Dear Friends, Welcome back to "We are IBX," our newsletter highlighting the latest news about IBX and the affiliated companies led by Kam Ghaffarian. It has been a busy few months filled with big news, significant milestones, and the creation of new entities. Here is what we have in this newsletter: Note from Kam: A purpose-driven life Intuitive Machines: Launching the first mission to the Moon in 50+ years X-energy: Creating clean energy opportunities for Canada  Axiom Space: First all-private mission to the ISS returns to Earth Quantum Space: New start-up to create a robotic lunar outpost IX: X-energy and IM are going to power up the Moon Philanthropic Focus: Inspiring a new generation of space explorers  Many years back, while listening to an inspirational CD from Wayne Dyer, I came across this incredible quote from a famous Indian yoga master and philosopher named Patanjali. His quote has truly inspired me and affected my mindset and how I view the world.  The word "inspired" comes from the Latin word of being in spirit, to be connected to a force higher than yourself, to be out of your mind, and in the receive mode. When you are in a place where some great purpose inspires you, you think limitlessly and can think way out of the box. Then, you find yourself purpose-driven, which makes life much more joyful and meaningful. I love the part about “dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive.” The sleeping forces that you were unaware of become activated and alive. You start to live in this magical place where all dots get connected, and you feel synchronicity and joy in everything.  I hope this quote inspires you to live a more purpose-driven life. All the best, Kam Intuitive Machines Validates Lunar Distance Network NASA awarded Intuitive Machines its third Commercial Payload Delivery Services (CLPS) initiative contract award. The firm-fixed-price contract required Intuitive Machines to deliver four lunar payloads to the Reiner Gamma region of the Moon in 2024.  Alongside brand sponsor Columbia Sportswear, Intuitive Machines mechanics showcased a 1:1 mock-up of Nova-C at the Daytona 500. The display at Daytona featured the sportswear company's Omni-Heat Infinity reflective technology that will be incorporated into Intuitive Machines' lander to insulate it against the extreme temperatures on the Moon. Together, Intuitive Machines and Morehead State University's Space Science Center validated a complete lunar communications solution with the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbited, including orbit determination pointing solution and data downlink. By granting access to the orbiter, NASA accelerated Intuitive Machines' ability to provide lunar communications infrastructure for an entire industry.    X-energy Partners with Canada for Clean Energy Opportunities to Reduce Industrial Carbon Emissions  X-energy and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have signed a framework agreement to pursue opportunities to deploy Xe-100 small modular reactors (SMRs) for industrial applications in Canada.  Under the agreement, OPG and X-energy will pursue opportunities to deploy Xe-100 advanced reactors in Ontario at industrial sites and identify further potential end users and sites throughout Canada.  The Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor optimizes proven technology to enable decarbonization of industrial end-use applications. Efficiently combining high-temperature steam and power production, the Xe-100 can directly support heavy industry including oil sands operations, mining applications, and other industrial processes.   Axiom Space's Ax-1 Completes First All-Private Mission to the ISS  The Axiom Mission One (Ax-1) was a major milestone for Axiom Space. Not only was Ax-1 the first all-private mission to the International Space Station, but it was also a pivotal step forward for Axiom's commercial space station, Axiom Station. During their 17 days in space, the Ax-1 crew conducted 26 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations with leading academic and research partners around the globe and completed over 30 outreach efforts from the ISS. They returned to Earth with more than 200 pounds of science and supplies, including NASA experiments, hardware, and commercial science payloads.  Last month, Axiom Space was awarded the NASA Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) Contract. Axiom is one of two companies to win the award to build the space agency’s next-generation astronaut spacesuits that may be used for low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the Artemis lunar missions. Axiom Space recently celebrated the groundbreaking at the company’s new, long-term headquarters at Houston Spaceport, which will be home to the development and construction of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The company has also signed agreements with several nations, including Italy, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to fly on future space missions. New Startup Quantum Space is Planning to Build a Robotic Outpost Near the Moon Quantum Space was launched on February 3, 2022. Founded by IBX CEO and Founder Kam Ghaffarian, Steve Jurczyk, former NASA Acting Administrator, and Ben Reed, former division chief of NASA’s Exploration and In-Space Services at Goddard Space Flight Center. News of the announcement can be read at SpaceNews, The Verge, United Press International, SatNews and GovCon Wire. Transformational progress requires a quantum shift in approach. Quantum Space was established with emphasis on rapid technological advancement while lowering the cost to access to cis-lunar and deep space. Quantum Space envisions a future where innovation and sustainability meet propelling human progress, and economic growth to expand access to space with its ability to improve life on Earth. They are fundamentally transforming the way we operate in space through more flexible, agile, and versatile operations. The first mission to Earth-Moon Langrage Point 1 is slated for 2024. To stay up to date on the latest news and mission progress follow Quantum Space on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.   Team Led by X-energy and Intuitive Machines Wins $5 Million to Develop Moon Power Solution The Department of Energy and NASA awarded IX, a joint venture between X-energy and Intuitive Machines, a contract to conduct a one-year study to mature the design of a Fission Surface Power (FSP) solution that will deliver at least 40 kWe power flight system to the Moon by 2028. X-energy is leading the development of an advanced small scale, portable reactor for space applications using its proprietary ceramic encapsulated fuel (TRISO-X) that can withstand temperatures four times greater than conventional nuclear fuel. Designed to be intrinsically safe, X-energy’s space reactors deliver long life and high thermal power output at low mass based on numerous micro-reactor innovations developed over the past several years. The IX team also worked with Maxar and Boeing to assemble a best-of-industry team, combining capability in reactor design and operations, power conversion design, thermal management systems, and integrated space flight systems design with agility and innovative culture to deliver a complete Fission Surface Power solution.   Philanthropic Focus: Ghaffarian and López-Alegría Speak to Maryland Children About Space Exploration  Recently, Kam Ghaffarian and Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría spoke about space exploration to students at a local elementary school in Maryland. López-Alegría, who serves as Chief Astronaut at Axiom Space, spoke about his recent mission to the International Space Station and serving as commander on the first all-commercial mission to the orbiting laboratory. Ghaffarian shared his passion for space exploration and the limitless possibilities of the future. After the event, the children sent thank you letters to the speakers and highlighted their thoughts about space.  Inspiring the next generation is one of the many missions of the Emerging Light Foundation, a non-profit organization that hopes to be a beacon of light and a distributor of hope across the globe. In the News:  NASA Vet and Space Mogul Aim to Build 97% Cheaper Space Station (Bloomberg)   Axiom Space to launch first-ever private mission to ISS: 'The beginning of many beginnings' (Fox News)   Limitless Space Institute announces release of the short film "Go Incredibly Fast" (Press Release)    Quantum Space unveils plans for cislunar platforms (Space News)    Axiom founder holds business talks with Boryung's CEO as partners in space project (AJU Business Daily)    Intuitive Machines Strikes Gold with Columbia Sportswear Partnership (Press Release)    Forward this newsletter to friend Copyright © 2022, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Happy Holidays from Kam Ghaffarian

Wishing you happy holidays and a joyful New Year Copyright © 2021 IBX, All rights reserved Our mailing address is: 801 Thompson Avenue, Rockville, MD Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Sharing one of Kam's secrets to success

We are IBX.  Dear Friends, Welcome back to "We are IBX," a quarterly newsletter highlighting the latest news about IBX and the affiliated companies led by Kam Ghaffarian. The last few months have been filled with significant milestones, progress on our top objectives, and lots of exciting news, including:  Note from Kam: Achieving corporate success by becoming "the light"  X-energy: New video series shows the future of energy and our planet Intuitive Machines: Historic plans for annual cadence to the Moon Axiom Space: Axiom Station is one step closer to becoming the first commercial space station Philanthropic Focus: Empowering homeless, at-risk youth Team Spotlight: Meet Dr. Sonny White, the person getting us closer to warp drive and interstellar travel Dear Friends,   Fall is a great time to reflect. With the new year quickly approaching, now is an excellent opportunity to look ahead and focus on actions that will propel growth and excellence. I'm proud of our portfolio companies who have seen multiple months of growth and achieved significant milestones - from success with critical hardware, winning contracts, and securing key partnerships. I'm so thankful for their incredible work and commitment.    I recently spoke to the Houston Chronicle about the importance of following your passion and highlighting the team's incredible work to advance the state of humanity and human knowledge.   Be the Light:  Often I am asked about the secrets to my success. Many people quickly jump to the idea that it must be a particular business process. While business processes are essential, much of my success is based on a positive mindset, optimistic thinking, and being solution-oriented. The above quote, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness," highlights this approach and really resonates with me, reflecting how I approach life and business. Rather than focusing on problems and dwelling on the negative, I encourage results-oriented thinking and a commitment to solving problems.   I encourage everyone to reflect on their operating approach and consider how a positive mindset and solution-oriented thinking can create a better tomorrow.  Cheers, Kam With three planned launches to the Moon, Intuitive Machines (IM) has an annual launch cadence to the lunar surface unseen outside of NASA. This yearly schedule provides longer lead times for commercial customers. Intuitive Machines, a NASA CLPS partner, is flying four NASA payloads on IM-1. They are also building NASA, an extreme mobility lunar vehicle, to take the first-ever pictures inside the craters on the lunar South Pole. With the IM-2 South Pole mission, the company has added secondary rideshare services.   Flying alongside the Nova-C class lunar lander will be the first node of IM's lunar communication and navigation constellation of satellites, which will serve as part of the backbone to Earth's first commercial lunar communications network. IM recently signed agreements with two ground stations, Morehead and Goonhilly, and finalized compatibility testing to ensure a strong connection with their Houston-based Nova Control, IM's center of operations for all missions.   With an expanded launch schedule, more customers, and a bigger team, Intuitive Machines announced a new larger facility at the Houston Spaceport. Watch this video of the announcement and building plans.   “The future is now” is the title of a new video from X-energy Canada describing how X-energy’s technology is contributing to our planet’s clean energy future while meeting humanity’s increasing demand for energy. The video is the latest in a series of products providing a deeper picture into how X-energy’s technology is revolutionizing the marketplace – like this video discussing the XE-100, which is revolutionizing the marketplace.   Leveraging this state-of-the-art technology, X-energy is in the final stages of DOD’s Project Pele, developing small, portable microreactors that minimize risk while delivering safe, reliable, and resilient mobile power.   One of the most significant announcements is the creation of TRISO-X, a new subsidiary of X-energy that will help commercialize its advanced nuclear fuel. TRISO-X will bring X-energy’s proprietary advanced nuclear fuel to market under the leadership of X-energy’s nuclear fuel expert Dr. Pete Pappano.   X-energy’s fuel fabrication services will also power space efforts. As part of DARPA’s DRACO program, the company is developing key fuel fabrication processes to support a first-of-a-kind rocket powered by nuclear thermal propulsion. This month Axiom Space announced Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station, has passed the next major milestone on the road to launch: completion, with NASA, of design for the first two modules. The next step is fabrication to move toward a 2024 docking.   Simultaneously, Axiom engineers and Axiom partners at Thales Alenia Space have worked on many critical elements for the first module, AxH1, including building the windows. The windows will be the largest ever constructed for the space environment - encircle multiple inhabitants of the station's Earth Observatory cupola, overlooking the planet in 360-degree freedom. Each Axiom module is an independent spacecraft equipped to sustain itself and maneuver into its assembly position in orbit. Training continues for the crews of Ax-1 and Ax-2. With the Ax-1 launch date scheduled for February 2022, the crews have been going through rigorous training, including learning about space station systems and procedures in preparation for their planned stay aboard the International Space Station. To learn more, check out Axiom's video series - Axiom Rewind. With activities in four continents, Emerging Light Foundation is a non-profit that hopes to be a beacon of light and a distributor of hope across the globe. Led by Kam Ghaffarian, the charity is helping accomplish its mission with great organizations like Mobile Hope in Virginia, USA.  Mobile Hope provides support and emergency shelter to youth up to age 24 who are at-risk, precariously housed, or homeless and empowers them to become self-sufficient.  The idea started in 2011 when Donna Fortier saw homeless youth living in Loudon County. With local support, she used a bus to distribute clothing, food, and hygiene items to youth in need. The bus became a mobile center that could directly travel to where it was needed and reduce barriers to service. Today, in addition to the bus outreach program, Mobile Hope offers leadership training, mentoring services, individualized case management and has established Hope’s Village that includes a trade school, job training center, gym, and much more. Mobile Hope provides a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory environment where youth develop a sense of purpose and community. Their goal is to support kids on their journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Learn more by visiting: https://mobile-hope.org/  Meet Sonny: The Limitless Space Institute (LSI) is a research and education non-profit with a mission to inspire and educate the next generation to travel beyond our solar system and support the research and development of enabling technologies.   They are powered by an incredible team, including Dr. Harold "Sonny" White, LSI's director of advanced research and development. In addition to overseeing the Eagleworks Lab, Sonny directs LSI's Grant Program, partnering with 18 academic institutions worldwide, and leads DARPA research projects.   Breakthrough Research: Sonny is leading groundbreaking research at LSI.  His work was published in Euro Physics Journal, where he provided evidence of a new energy source. Imagine if we never had to change batteries in remote controls, pacemakers, and hearing aids! While LSI continues to explore power and propulsion technologies for interstellar space, their R&D has the potential to spin off new applications improving the state of humanity and our daily lives. Social Media Round-Up:  In the News:  'What's your passion?' An entrepreneur's question leads to space enterprises [Houston Chroncile]    X-energy expands TRISO-X as a Subsidiary to Commercialize its Advanced Nuclear Fuel [News Release]   NASA reviews private space station proposals, expects to save over $1 billion annually after ISS retires [CNBC]   Three-peat: Intuitive Machines Selects SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket for Third Moon Mission [News Release]    Axiom Space Private Astronauts Begin Training at NASA's Johnson Space Center [NASA]   X-energy Announces George Vanderheyden as Chief Nuclear Officer [News Release]   Intuitive Machines: Major Milestones Surpassed in Establishing 4G LTE on the Moon [News Release]   Thales Alenia Space to provide the first two pressurized modules for Axiom Station [News Release]      Copyright © 2021, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Welcome to "We Are IBX"

We are IBX.  Dear Friends, Welcome to our new IBX newsletter - We are IBX, highlighting the latest news about IBX and affiliated companies. Led by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, IBX is an innovation and investment firm focused on technologies revolutionizing the space and energy sectors to positively impact the world. Thank you for joining us on this journey and helping push the boundaries of what is possible.  In this issue:  Note from Kam: Putting a priority on people and purpose  Axiom Space: Helping humanity step off of the planet X-energy: Revolutionizing the energy sector to empower the future Intuitive Machines: Building the infrastructure for a lunar economy Philanthropic Focus: An emphasis on education from Houston to Kinshasa  Team Spotlight: Meet one of the engineers taking America to the Moon Dear Friends, Welcome to our first IBX newsletter, We are IBX, highlighting the incredible accomplishments of the team and work being done across all the affiliated companies. I look forward to your feedback and sharing more highlights in the coming months. Thank you for joining us on this beautiful journey to create a better world.    What is IBX? I started IBX to advance the state of humanity and human knowledge. As an innovation and investment firm IBX concentrates on companies positively impacting our civilization and the world. IBX is more than a name. It is a personal philosophy - Imagine, Believe, and eXecute. Meaning: Imagine the future you want; Believe in your team's and your limitless potential, and work hard to execute till success. The power of belief is the magic ingredient that connects imagination to reality. All of the IBX affiliated companies are organizations I had the privilege of helping to fund, found, or co-found. A successful start: The first half of 2021 has proven incredible for IBX and our affiliated companies. We have announced a slew of historic missions, built strong partnerships, and secured additional funding to power our continued success, all while fulfilling our collective mission to advance the state of humanity and human knowledge. This progress is a testament to the caliber of our teams, who exceeded expectations while facing unique challenges due to the worldwide pandemic. With true leadership and a clear purpose, challenges can often create opportunities. I personally want to thank everyone for their relentless positive determination to triumph against the unknown. Thank you for reading our first edition, and thank you for all you do to convert these dreams into reality. Remember, if you conceive it, believe it, you will achieve it.  Cheers, Kam Axiom Space helping humanity step off of the planet - A new era of human spaceflight is underway with the help of Axiom Space, which will send the first-ever fully private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) early next year. The humanitarian leaders who make up the four-person crew of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) recently started training for their eight-day mission to the orbiting laboratory. They are first in a new class of pioneers stepping forth to lay the groundwork to finally democratize space and open low Earth orbit (LEO) to more of humanity in service of all on Earth and all who will follow them beyond it.   This foundation will be strengthened by legendary astronaut Peggy Whitson who will serve as commander of Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) alongside John Shoffner who will be the mission pilot. Much like Ax-1, the team of Ax-2, and recently secured Ax-3 and Ax-4, will conduct important scientific research during their historic missions. Axiom Space is also working with NASA and Discovery Channel on "Who wants to be an Astronaut" television show opening up an opportunity to go to space to millions of people throughout the nation. The world's first commercial space station: Axiom Space’s true mission is to build a modern thriving space economy. The cornerstone will be Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station which will serve as a platform for manufacturing, research, innovation, and commerce in microgravity. The first pieces of Axiom Station’s modules are currently being developed, including testing of the largest window panels ever made for space, which will encircle the stations' Earth Observatory cupola.   Empowering the future: X-energy is leading a revolution in the energy sector with its advanced nuclear reactor and fuel design, paving the way for a net-zero carbon future. This past spring X-energy signed a historic deal to support the country's first advanced nuclear reactor. This collaboration between Energy Northwest and Grant County Public Utility District in the state of Washington will support the development and demonstration of X-energy Xe-100, a modular and scalable advanced nuclear reactor. The partnership is made possible through the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, playing a vital role in maintaining and strengthening global U.S. energy and climate leadership while meeting the carbon-free energy needs of the local customer base.  Recently, X-energy CEO Clay Sell spoke to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources about X-energy's ability to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy. (VIDEO) X-energy Canada: Further expanding efforts, X-energy and Kinectrics have signed a collaboration agreement to advance the design and deployment of X-energy Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR) in Canada, the U.S., and worldwide. This news builds on X-energy's partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to further advance the engineering and design work of the Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR) to advance clean energy technology. X-energy Canada is also working alongside various partners on a clean energy innovation campus in Ontario to support and develop small modular reactors. To the Moon! Intuitive Machines is launching to the Moon in the first quarter of 2022. Earlier this year, they completed Nova Control, the command center for its robotic missions to the Moon. Their first mission, IM-1, will be the first Houston-commanded lunar landing and the first American spacecraft to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.    The lunar lander, Nova-C, is currently being built in their Houston facility. Soon the company will expand its footprint by creating a bold new 125,000 square foot building at the Houston Spaceport as they increase efforts to build hardware that will go to the Moon, including IM-2, which will be the first to drill for ice on the Moon’s surface. (VIDEO)   First Commercial Deep Space Network: Developing the next generation in deep space communications, Intuitive Machines has signed a series of agreements to build the first commercially available lunar distance communication network. With assets like the first lunar communications satellite, the company is creating a robust infrastructure for their Lunar Telemetry & Tracking Network (LTN). These efforts are critical to ensure not only the success of the IM-1 mission, the first under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative but future deep space missions.    With a focus on advancing the state of humanity and human knowledge, IBX CEO, Dr. Ghaffarian, is involved in various philanthropic efforts around the world. With activities in four continents, the non-profit Emerging Light Foundation seeks to become a beacon of light and a distributor of hope. From funding a school in Kinshasa to supporting academic partnerships in Houston, Emerging Light Foundation aims to inspire, educate and empower future generations. One of the organizations that the Emerging Light Foundation supports is the Limitless Space Institute. A Houston-based non-profit organization, LSI has a mission to inspire and educate the next generation to travel beyond our solar system. LSI is collaborating with 17 academic institutions across the globe as they work to develop technologies to enable interstellar human space exploration. Learn more about LSI’s mission here. In future editions, we will highlight the various organizations the Emerging Light Foundation supports around the globe.  Team Spotlight: This quarter we are highlighting the incredible team at Intuitive Machines. Team members like mechanical technician Cyrus Shy personify IM's passion and determination to chart a course to Moon. Shy, a Houston native, credits his success to his mom, who homeschooled him and his seven siblings. Watch his story.  Shy is one of the many employees Intuitive Machines has highlighted in their video series "Faces of Intuitive Machines." Watch more here.  Social Media Round-Up:  In the News:  X-energy is working on an advanced nuclear reactor that could open the solar system to crewed missions into deep space.  [Supercluster]   Record-holding retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson has spent more time in space than any American in history. Now she's planning a trip back, this time as the commander of Axiom Mission (Ax-2). Whitson and auto racer John Shoffner will lead Axiom Space's second private spaceflight to the International Space Station. [CNBC]   Intuitive Machines (IM) has entered into a long-term agreement with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), where KSAT will support every stage of IM’s missions to the Moon, from launch and early operations, through transit, including lunar operations. [RELEASE]   Who wants to be an astronaut? A new partnership between Axiom Space, the Discovery Channel, and NASA is opening a spot for one lucky person to fly to the International Space Station as the winner of a televised competition. [Discovery Channel]   Major Milestones Surpassed in Establishing 4G LTE on the Moon. Working with NASA, Intuitive Machines, Nokia, and Lunar Outpost are building, integrating, and demonstrating the first-ever cellular network demonstration on the Moon. [Release]     Copyright © 2021, IBX LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: contactus@ibx-llc.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.