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Space Exploration Initiative
By Rachel BellisleThe Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit (GLCS or “Skinsuit”) is an intravehicular activity suit for astronauts that...
The environmental conditions of prolonged spaceflight pose significant psychological risks for astronauts. In particular, crews of future...
MicroPET aims to identify how microorganisms can efficiently degrade plastic waste and produce higher-value plastic materials, a process ...
Overview: How will we build the coming generations of Space Architecture—the modules, space ships, and space stations that will ensc...
Advancing justice in Earth's complex systems using designs enabled by space
Designing Systems for Cognitive Support
This project seeks to examine the effects of altered gravity on an individual’s physiology during parabolic flight. Specifically, we will...
The TESSERAE project, a design for self-assembling space structures and habitats, has sent prototypes to the International Space Station.
Converting the patterns of nature and the human body into beneficial signals and energy
Beyond the Cradle
On Earth, morning, noon, and night have their own specific meanings. The feeling of a second or a minute passing by, the shortening of th...
SpaceHuman is a soft robotics device designed to facilitate the exploration of environments with reduced gravity in a view of democratiza...
The Space Sustainability RatingThe Space Sustainability Rating design team—comprised of the World Economic Forum, the European Space Agen...
Faculty leaders highlight innovations that can close longstanding knowledge gaps and reimagine how the world responds to the climate crisis.
Ariel Ekblaw talks about leading the Space Exploration Initiative, self-assembling space architecture, science fiction, + long-term thinking
Augmenting and mediating human experience, interaction, and perception with sensor networks
The Wanderers were unveiled as part of the exhibition: ‘The Sixth Element: Exploring the Natural Beauty of 3D Printing' on display ...
Rapid prototyping platforms such as 3D printers used for digital fabrication are today able to manufacture custom objects for specific ta...
Seamlessly coupling the worlds of bits and atoms by giving dynamic physical form to digital information and computation
Self-reconfiguring ElectroVoxels use embedded electromagnets to test applications for space exploration.
It is known that prolonged exposure to micro and hyper-gravity induces various acute health risks, such as osteoporosis, skeletal muscle ...
Extending expression, learning, and health through innovations in musical composition, performance, and participation
Space Exploration Initiative director Ariel Ekblaw speaks with WIRED’s Ramin Skibba about the beginning and future of space tourism.
A conversation recently aired on Planetary Radio, hosted by Mat Kaplan of the Planetary Society, featuring SEI director Ariel Ekblaw.
Spacecraft wrapped in sensor-rich electronic textiles could double as scientific instruments
When imagining human life in space, how will we express our humanity and creativity in an alien environment? Can the art we make both ref...
The LA Times talks to Fluid Interfaces alum Xin Liu about her art project Living Distance.
Open Ocean
In recent years, there has been an increase in low-cost and open-source electronic and chemical sensors that hobbyists, concerned citizen...
A FerroMagnetic Suit For Zero Gravity // Grounding Humans without Gravity
Overview: The outermost skin of a space-based structure is designed using materials known to protect against the harsh elements of space....
Gravity Proof is a performance and mission to prepare and cook bread in space. Inspired by ancient recipes and archaeological bread ...
Life Beyond Earth is a multidisciplinary project that explores advanced space architecture concepts to enable humankind to live on the Moon.
In 2015, the director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), Jan Wörner, introduced the concept of the “Moon Village.” Inspired by t...
Under Dr. Wood's leadership, the program will move forward with the NASA Astrobee robotic system as its new in-space robotic platform.
Neil Gaikwad, a PhD student in the Space Enabled research group, has been selected as one of the 2019 Facebook Fellows.
This research highlights opportunities to bring the rich culture of Earth-based fermentation practices to space to design beneficial appl...
The Interplanetary Gastronomy research aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities associated with eating in...
We are leveraging current Wireless Sensor Network technology to develop an easily deployable, and inexpensive wireless sensor (LunarWSN) ...
Our journeys off-world have taught us just as much about humanity as the harsh environment of space. For the past 20 years, we have had a...
Liu, Fangzheng. (2021). LunarWSN: A Wireless Sensor Network for In-Situ Lunar Water Ice Detection.
Explore Moon ArchitectureWorkshop @Digital FUTURESNASA’s Artemis Program is envisioning a plan to drive humanity to live on our closest c...
"Autonomous operations are critical for the success, safety, and crew survival of NASA deep space missions beyond low Earth orbit, includ...
More ocean data has been collected in the last two years than in all previous years combined, and we are on a path to continue to break t...
Living in space could have significant physical and mental impacts on astronauts. Wearables have the potential to play a critical role in...
Wax-based hybrid rocket propellants, including paraffin (common candlewax) and beeswax show promise as high-performing hybrid rocket prop...
The Space Exploration Initiative supports research across and beyond MIT in two microgravity flights this spring.
Ever wish you could toss your folded up tent and have it self-assemble mid-air? Well...you can. In a zero gravity environment.Self ...
Traditional additive manufacturing processes, especially those that make use of liquid resin as the feedstock, are constrained by the gra...
By Larissa Zhou and Adam ZacharFood is crucial to maintaining the physical and psychological health of humans in space. Eating food ...
By Nancy Valladares and Rae Yuping HsuThis project is an art performance that seeks to rethink imaginaries of multispecies surv...
The Miniature Optical Steered Antenna for Intersatellite Communications (MOSAIC)By Shreeyam KackerThe Miniature Optical Steered Ante...
Solid-state microfrabricated devices are in development to replace contemporary heavy mechanical components for use in spacecraft propell...
How did life originate? Nobody knows. Life might not even be native to our Earth - it might have come from asteroids or the interstellar ...
By Somayajulu Dhulipala and Manwei ChanAs humanity explores deeper into space, long-duration missions will require horticulture activitie...
By Po-Hao ChiHow could microgravity/hypergravity shape our perceptual experience of listening with weightlessness? How can we seek to exp...
Danielle Wood talks about the key role space technologies can play in advancing equity on Earth, if we design for sustainability.
Space Enabled director Danielle Wood talks about applying space technologies to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Supported by the Space Exploration Initiative, the student-run HUMANS project aims to increase global representation in space.
Ariel Ekblaw spoke at the Chautauqua Institution about her novel space architecture ideas and a call for more dialogue on space ethics.
Ekblaw, Ariel. "Into the Anthropocosmos: A Whole Space Catalog from the MIT Space Exploration Initiative." MIT Press, September 2021. ISBN: 9780262046374
An astronaut's ability to leverage the sense of touch is substantially reduced when wearing a protective, pressurized spacesuit. We imagi...
The Space Exploration Initiative charters an annual ZERO-G parabolic flight for 14-15 projects and 25 researchers across MIT Media Lab, s...
Designing for, with, and by nature
MIT researchers are co-leading the design of a global Space Sustainability Rating system that will soon be operational.
The projects on board the Media Lab's first suborbital rocket flight
This mission included participation from several departments at MIT and outside collaborators from across the globe.
A team led by the Space Enabled group, ESA, and the World Economic Forum will address waste in Earth’s orbit
How might zero gravity space affect silk spinning, and what benefits might such material properties provide for digital fabrication and a...