Project Possum

Godspeed IIAS-01!

Our parent institution, the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, is leading the way with the first industry-sponsored researcher to fly on a commercial spacecraft! Follow the updates as we get ready for launch.

The day we have been waiting for is finally here!

Virgin Galactic has announced the Galactic 05 research mission, whose crew includes our our own Kellie Gerardi. ✨

The G05 flight window opens November 2, and for the next few weeks our payload crew Yvette Gonzalez, Shawna Pandya, and Aaron Persad will bring you updates from the 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 as our IIAS research and payload team prepare to make history!

Image: GAL 05 Mission patch design courtesy of Virgin Galactic!

Four days remain to apply to PoSSUM Class 2303 or the Advanced PoSSUM Academy!

Gravity offset and real space suits - only at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences!

Florida Tech is home to world’s only commercial ‘zero-gravity’ lab New state-of-the-art technology is bringing space research down to Earth for students. Florida Tech is home to the only commercial gravity offset lab in the world. Its goal is to advance the space industry and give more people access to STEM careers.

IIAS Open University Offering - Registration extended to 12 June!

more Open University offerings from IIAS!

PoSSUM aeronomy research methods are prominent in IIAS's 'Citizen-Science Research Methods' course!

OPEN UNIVERSITY OPPORTUNITY: Get involved with IIAS this Summer by studying citizen-science applications in bioastronautics, extra-vehicular activity (EVA), and aeronomy!

As part of this course, you’ll learn how to: 1) describe existing citizen science work supported by space agencies, 2) design and propose citizen science research projects, 3) demonstrate the requirements for human subject research, 4) communicate the current gaps in knowledge within bioastronautics, EVA, spacecraft technologies, and aeronomy research, 5) demonstrate the ability to conduct a literature review of foundational research in support of a chosen project, and 6) develop and present their own citizen science research project proposal with literature review, objectives, procedures, budget, potential funding opportunities, and data collection and analysis strategy.

REGISTER BY FRIDAY, MAY 19th. This online 8-week course is open to all interested space students and professionals. Register here: https://astronauticsinstitute.org/product/edu101/

Are you curious about how we study our upper atmosphere? Then join the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences for our annual PoSSUM campaign! Starting on May 24th, AER 103 provides a foundation in the remote sensing of the mesosphere through the imagery and remote sensing of noctilucent cloud structures and introduces students to the principles and operations of atmospheric LIDAR and Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) techniques through hands-on operations of facilities at Poker Flat Observatory near Fairbanks, AK. Additionally, students will participate in the design, development, and launch of a gyro-stabilized scientific balloon with a low-light camera payload!

AER 103 is 'Open University' but non-IIAS members should have a fundamental STEM background. Register here: https://astronauticsinstitute.org/product/aer103/

Let us help you be the change.

Access to unique facilities, some only existing at governmental space agencies or through extreme expense, give IIAS students continuing benefits throughout their academic and professional careers.

Project PoSSUM's AST 101 course is accepting applications for Class 2302 through January 31st! Want to learn about suborbital research, aeronomy, and all things PoSSUM? Applications are being accepted through the IIAS website: astronauticsinstitute.org

Congratulations to Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio, winner of the 2022 Awesome PoSSUM award!

Aidyl's selfless contributions to IIAS and her tireless work spreading its values of science and inclusion were recognized by her IIAS community.

Be like Aidyl.

Want to work with exceptional people like Aidyl? Join us and prepare for 2023 as a year like none other!

It has our complete privilege to announce our 2022 Awesome PoSSUM: Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio!

STEAM education, Research, Equity, and Justice exemplify Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez- Serricchio (aka Dr. G), who believes that everyone has a place in space exploration to better our home, Earth.

Her years of service mentoring educators and STEM professionals in the IIAS community and beyond ensure that the next generation of world changers have access, practice, and a place in all STEAM careers on Earth and beyond

Since day 1 she has given 200% to our community. Her tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed snd are has noticeably uplifted everyone she has worked with. Our IIAS family is stronger because of her.

Congratulations!

All new IIAS students are introduced to Project PoSSUM and concepts of aeronomy through the Fundamentals of Astronautics course. If you want to learn how to do noctilucent cloud tomography from a suborbital spacecraft, here's your chance!

Another great open university opportunity from our parent institute!

https://astronauticsinstitute.org/course/ops102/

OPEN UNIVERSITY COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT: This October 8-12, join us at Survival Systems USA, Inc. in Groton, CT for a unique experience with IIAS. The first professional education course on the landing and post-landing phase of human spacecraft missions, ‘Spacecraft Egress and Rescue Operations’ covers nominal and contingency landing scenarios, post-landing planning, rescue and recovery architecture design, egress systems and operational procedures, de-conditioning and post-landing survivability, generalized egress skills, sea survival techniques and emergency egress bottle use.

Designed for both engineers and operational professionals, classroom sessions are supplemented by immersive, practical components designed to give the student an intuitive understanding of heritage aircrew contingency procedures. Topics include: 1) Planning for nominal and contingency landings, 2) Nominal and contingency rescue operations, 3) International program-specific agreements and global SAR response resources, 5) Pad and ascent abort egress environments and design considerations, 6) Early de-orbit scenarios, 7) Post-landing contingencies, 8) Egress procedures and operations, and 9) Probabilities and effects of injuries and deconditioning.

Interested? Enroll now!
https://astronauticsinstitute.org/course/ops102

Water v***r produced by rocket engines can produce artificial noctilucent clouds as they transit through the cold regions of our mesosphere. Here is a 'Space Contrail' from the rear-facing window of a recent ISS mission.

Wispy, noctilucent clouds, the highest clouds in Earth's atmosphere, are pictured blanketing the Earth's horizon as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above the Sea of Okhotsk.

PoSSUM seeks to explore these clouds by tomographically imaging them from commercial suborbital spacecraft, much like an MRI builds a 3D representation of a human body. This will yield unprecedented insight into atmospheric turbulence and instability in the most sensitive regions of our atmosphere.

Credit: NASA

Such trends in noctilucent cloud observation are widely believed to be caused by increasing concentrations of CO2 and methane in our atmosphere. This is just one of the topics of practical interest being studied by PoSSUM team scientists.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/07/02/noctilucent-clouds-night-shining/

Rare clouds that glow in the dark are the most vibrant in 15 years Sky watchers in Oregon, Washington, England and Canada have spotted "noctilucent clouds," the rarest on Earth

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to look up at clouds in the Martian sky?

PoSSUM researchers have been collaborating with Zooniverse to spot clouds in the Marian atmosphere, a close analog to our own mesosphere.

Although humans have yet to be sent to Mars, instruments on spacecraft orbiting The Red Planet routinely see clouds in the atmosphere. In infrared measurements made by the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, they can be spotted as unique arch-shaped features.

We need your help to find them! Whereas Earth clouds are made of liquid water, the cold temperatures and low pressures of Mars enable both water-ice and carbon-dioxide ice clouds to form. By identifying clouds with MCS, we can create maps of where clouds form across Mars, determine their compositions, and see how they change throughout the day and during different seasons. Creating a database of Martian clouds will help us better understand how clouds form on Mars and how they influence the climate.

Want to get involved? Join us here:

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/marek-slipski/cloudspotting-on-mars?utm_source=launch&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=csom28june2022

ONLY FOUR DAYS REMAIN to apply to Project PoSSUM Class 2204 through the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences AST 101 program! Learn about suborbital aeronomy, qualify for advanced IIAS campaigns, and join our international family! Apply at https://astronauticsinstitute.org/programs/astronautics/

We are proud of the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences partnership with the Florida Institute of Technology!

“Given our shared focus on education and research, the Florida Tech and IIAS partnership will elevate both organizations and supercharge efforts to educate future generations of space industry leaders”
~ Marco Carvalho, Florida Tech Acting President

IIAS's newest inductees learned all about aeronomy and noctilucent cloud tomography mission with partner institute, Florida Tech! Interested?

Apply for AST 101 at astronauticsinstitute.org!

Flight test engineering is always a popular course for IIAS researchers because of its ability to blend science, engineering, and operations while providing an exposure to practices of benefit to any professional.

Are you an engineer or scientist looking for more operational exposure? Are you a pilot seeking a deeper understanding of the aircraft and its environment? Did you know that the culture and principles of flight testing are applied in many different professional fields that look to infuse the discipline and safety-oriented culture of military flight test programs?

Then join us this Spring 2022 Semester for 'Fundamentals of Flight Test Engineering'! FTE 101 is a distance education course that may be taken alone or as a basis for our subsequent 'in aircraft' Fixed Wing Performance (FTE 102), Fixed-Wing Stability and Control (FTE 103), and High Performance (FTE 104) flight test courses.

With instructors from the National Research Council of Canada, IIAS provides a high-value and unique educational opportunity for the engineering and aviation professional.

This course starts on the week of 31 January and is available to all interested students with a math background inclusive of calculus. The class size is restricted to 18 students.

Register online for this or other 2021 Spring Semester courses at astronauticsinstitute.org

Congratulations to the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 2021 Awesome PoSSUM Award winner, 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙮! 💫

Brien has been part of our family from the beginning, and brings consistent value to every research course. He selflessly offers his time and equipment to others during and post research campaigns. He supports development of broad educational outreach materials and is just an exemplary member of the IIAS community.

🎉 Congratulations, Brien Posey!

Every year our community comes together to collaborate, conduct research, educate, explore, and create access to STEM opportunities across the planet. And every year the team is invited to nominate peers who exemplify our values and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our institute. With so many dedicated individuals, you can imagine it takes something special to be celebrated by your peers for this honor. ✨

We are proud to announce our 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 2021 Awesome PoSSUM Award winner, 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙮! 💫

Brien has been part of our family from the beginning, and brings consistent value to every research course. He selflessly offers his time and equipment to others during and post research campaigns. He supports development of broad educational outreach materials and is just an exemplary member of the IIAS community.

🎉 Congratulations, Brien Posey!

The International Institute for Astronautical Sciences 2021 Awesome PoSSUM Runner-Up Award goes to Starr Schroeder for her engagement in science education and for her leadership of our PoSSUM 13 outreach program!

Starr’s initiative, championing, and relentless pursuit of opportunities for students is appreciated by her peers. This year she helped usher in new education and outreach projects for students, making a positive impact on their futures. 💫 She also works reliably to support other IIAS outreach teams.

Congratulations Starr!

Congratulations, Shawna!

Our third Honorable Mention goes to Dr. Shawna Pandya for her outstanding leadership of the IIAS Space Medicine Group, support for outreach projects, and for her efforts to bring forward novel initiatives to our Community.

Congratulations Shawna! 💫

Congratulations, Aidyl!

This week we are excited to be honoring our colleagues with our 2021 annual awards. 💫

The second Honorable Mention goes to Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio for her never-ending efforts in ensuring the success of PoSSUM 13 outreach, offering relevant STEAM education resources to students, and building community with partners to make access to STEAM equitable & accessible.

Congratulations, Aidyl!

Congratulations, Kyle!

This week we are announcing our 2021 annual awards.

The first Honorable Mention goes to Kyle Foster for his outstanding leadership, ongoing contributions to our Aeronomy efforts, and his consistent support for our entire community.

Congratulations Kyle!

Congratulations to our peer, Deniz Burnham, graduate of our 2015 class and member of the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences.

Deniz was selected by NASA in their recent astronaut candidate selection. Deniz was integral to the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences first parabolic flight campaign with the National Research Council of Canada in 2015 and was one of their first evaluators of space suits in microgravity.

We are excited to follow Deniz's continuing work with NASA!

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-new-astronaut-recruits-to-train-for-future-missions

NASA Selects New Astronaut Recruits to Train for Future Missions NASA has chosen 10 new astronaut candidates from a field of more than 12,000 applicants to represent the United States and work for humanity’s benefit in space.