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)
|
|
|
|
|
