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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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