The next 10 years are poised to be the most transformative decade yet in the space industry. A 2024 World Economic Forum report forecasts that the space-related economy will grow 9% per year, reaching $1.8 trillion by 2035. UC San Diego researchers are integral to this explosive growth, both through their work in existing industries and innovations that are creating new ones altogether. This article is the first in a series exploring the work of UC San Diego researchers, staff and alumni in and around space and how it will revolutionize the future for generations to come.

The GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung and the international accelerator facility FAIR have made an important contribution to the success of the Artemis II Moon mission. A camera specially developed for use in space was successfully tested in advance under realistic conditions at the GSI and FAIR particle accelerator.