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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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]
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