12th IAA Symposium on Future Space Exploration

During future long-term space missions, the employment of living organisms, like plants, microorganisms, and, more rarely, animals, will be necessary for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), air regeneration, water purification, and food production. These bioregenerative functions need to be integrated in an artificial closed environment to guarantee self-sufficiency and sustainability for...

The exploitation of the lunar orbits through space missions has gained significantly increased interest. Space agencies and private organisations across the globe are returning to the Moon.

Very limited knowledge on fragments and on “lost” defunct satellites and launch vehicles exists in this region. Operational mission safety, verification of compliance with requirements on space debris...

This research introduces a novel multidisciplinary conceptual methodology for the
design and development of lunar pressurized rovers (LPR) for human exploration and
scientific activities on the Moon. This work addresses the emerging need for advanced
rover technologies at a time when interest in pressurized lunar vehicles is experiencing
a strong revival. The methodology contributes to...

Since the beginning of human space exploration, a Mars mission has been a major goal, though it continues to be postponed. A journey to Mars is a milestone with various limitations, involving traveling humans 200 times farther than ever before, keeping them in space 50 times longer than they ever have been, and securing life-essential resources 100 times more than has ever been done. Such a...

Lunar regolith is an important resource for in-situ fabrication and repair (ISFR) in future long-term crewed lunar exploration missions. Its application as a feedstock in additive manufacturing (AM) makes possible the rapid, on-demand production of ceramic spare parts and structural components for lunar outposts. However, the brittle nature of regolith-based ceramics limits its scope of...

12th IAA Symposium on Future Space Exploration, Moon, Mars and beyond:
becoming an Interplanetary Civilization,
09-11 June 2025, Torino, Italy

IAA-FSE-25-XX-XX

ADVANCING SPACE WEATHER PREDICTIONS THROUGH MEASUREMENTS AND VIRTUAL SATELLITE ALGORITHMS

Sergio Servidio(1), Giuseppe Prete(2), Giuseppe Nisticò(3), Vincenzo Capparelli(4), Antonella Greco(5), Antonella Congacha(6), Eilsa...

This paper introduces a novel Sliding Mode Control (SMC) strategy based on SO(3) attitude representation for spacecraft in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). The VLEO environment is attractive due to the lower communication latency between satellite and ground station and reduced launch costs, but it also poses significant challenges, as the poor modelling available of environmental perturbations....

The small spacecraft paradigm is on the verge of heavily transforming interplanetary and deep space exploration, in the same fashion as it has revolutionized many near-Earth applications over the last quarter of the century. As with any such revolution, a number of technological challenges must first be resolved. In this research, we study some of them related to astrodynamics and mission...

Atomic clocks, both in space and on the ground segments, are crucial for precise timekeeping and navigation. Their applications range from global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS or Galileo) to tests of fundamental physics [1]. It is therefore of paramount importance to promptly detect possible anomalies in atomic clock signals, as such anomalies can affect the accuracy of user...

Efficient collision detection and distance computation is essential for trajectory analysis, proximity operations, and long-term mission planning in space exploration. As datasets grow in scale and complexity—especially in asteroid tracking and satellite swarm coordination—there is a growing need for scalable algorithms that reduce computational load without compromising accuracy. Bounding...

To achieve the autonomous landing on the asteroid surface, the landers typically rely on optical sensors such as cameras or LiDARs to get the navigation features’ observation information from the asteroid surface. This information is then used to update the position and attitude estimate results of the landers. Considering that the navigation features are unevenly distributed on the surface...

Biological rhythms are one of the key mechanisms regulating the functions of living organisms. Work on studying circadian rhythms in space flight (SF) conditions began in the 1960s. One of the first experiments conducted on Biosatellite III (W.R. Adey, 1971) convincingly demonstrated a change in the phase angle between the circadian rhythm and the environment light cycle. However, to date,...

Recent research has witnessed great advancements in the field of flexible landing. Comprising three rigid nodes embedded within a soft body, the flexible lander enhances surface contact area and effectively dissipates residual kinetic energy upon touchdown. Consequently, the flexible lander can mitigate the risk of toppling and rebounding and achieve a more adaptable and reliable surface...

Slow interstellar travel (at speeds well below the speed of light) is the only form of interstellar travel we are sure we will be able to pursue in a not too far future. Other alternatives, up to FTL voyages, are still speculative and, while hoping that they will be possible, for now we should concentrate on what we are sure we can do.
In a paper published at the 75th IAC the author discussed...

The Liquid engine testing is carried out in three phases. The development testing, the acceptance tests and the qualification testing. Considering the lineage of the testing of certain Liquid Engines in India, it is proposed to use AI/ML tools of MATLAB to predict the test Engine parameters using Regression models.
The Test Article (The Human Rated Liquid Engine) measurement system comprises...

This work presents the design and feasibility analysis of a 24U CubeSat equipped with a hybrid rocket engine (HRE) for insertion into Mars orbit. The study evaluates the mission architecture, propulsion system and structural requirements for a successful planetary insertion. The hybrid propulsion system is selected to balance efficiency, safety, and compactness within the constraints of a...

In the last decade, satellite miniaturization has significantly expanded access to space, enabling scientific, technological, and educational missions. This situation introduces inherent limitations in terms of structural redundancy, onboard computational resources, and physical testing opportunities, factors that can compromise mission reliability and performance assurance. To address these...

The key to enabling continuing human and robotic access to the surface of the moon for science, exploration, settlement, and economic development is readily available power on demand. The state of the art for providing this power relies on the use of either photovoltaic (PV) arrays and/or radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). Unfortunately, surface assets anywhere other than within a...

As humanity returns to the Moon, we face an institutional vacuum comparable to that of the late Middle Ages and early modern period — a time when emerging markets, rising maritime powers, and expanding trade routes demanded new forms of political economy. In that era, company-states, merchant guilds, and special jurisdictions filled the void between weak sovereign control and the practical...

For more than 50 years now, humans have not come back on the Moon but remained in LEO thanks to international orbital stations. However, new programs have been raised recently targeting a return of humans on the Moon in the 2020s with an ambitious goal of having a permanent presence. Based on the ISS experience, it will require a sustainable approach of operations in Space. This trend already...

Space exploration has evolved from a dream into an reality, spurred by the efforts of both governmental space
agencies and private entities. As humanity ventures further into the cosmos with plans for moon landings, Mars
exploration, asteroid mining and even space tourism, the legal implications of these activities have become
increasingly complex. The governance of space activities is...

Deployable structures are becoming increasingly prominent in space engineering due to their capacity to reduce mass, volume, and cost [1]. Typically fabricated from thin or ultra-thin composite materials, these structures are frequently employed for space applications such as antennas [2]. Among deployable booms, tape springs are the most common type. While they were originally made of metal,...

The tasks of the Moon manned exploration, which are now a priority for all leading global space agencies, are ambitious and difficult to implement, so they require serious preparation and testing on Earth.
The Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) also joined the "lunar race". Thus, in 2015, the "Luna-2015" experiment was conducted on the basis of the unique Ground Experimental Facility...

This study explores the application of an innovative Lunar Solar Power Satellite (LSPS) configuration in a lunar environment to provide a sustainable base load energy supply for future human settlements on the Moon. Inspired by advanced Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) architectures, this analysis proposes a satellite system strategically positioned to orbit the Moon.
The proposed satellites...

Planning of interplanetary missions makes it urgent to search for indicators that not only reflect the state of gravity-dependent systems in space flight, but also enable to predict the level of functional reserves of the organism after staying in weightlessness. Physical performance of crewmembers can be a limiting factor for successful fulfillment of mission tasks. We have proposed the...

One of the biggest technological challenges in making interstellar precursor missions
feasible is developing an efficient propulsion system. Although several innovative
propulsion concepts have been proposed, none have yet provided a conclusive,
near-term solution. Therefore, it is realistic to assume that such solutions, if they
exist, will likely not be implemented for several decades....

The disintegration of small Solar System bodies by rotational fission, collisions or cometary activity leads to meteoroids. Although most of these objects are small (less than 1 mm), upon impact, they can damage the increasing near-Earth civilian and military infrastructure. Thus, knowing the size distribution of these objects is crucial to plan avoidance maneuvers, shielding spacecrafts, and...

The International Space Station (ISS) brought the first regenerative environmental
control & life support systems (ECLSS) to space over two decades ago, resulting
in valuable lessons learned that can be applied to new systems made to support
humans across more diverse mission profiles in the future. In the time since the ISS
ECLSS was baselined, new technologies have emerged and matured...

Food plays a crucial role in human space exploration. A balanced and nutritious diet for astronauts is essential for maintaining their physical and mental health and performance during space missions. However, bringing food to space presents several challenges related to food quality and variousness, as well as the high cost and logistical difficulties of transporting supplies from Earth. ...

Recent studies have analysed the potential of using a solar sail as a propulsion mean on board of spacecraft of nano/medium class, for space exploration towards both, inner and outer planets of the solar system in a relatively short travel transfer.
Space Agencies and other organization proved the technology by in-orbit-demonstrator:
The IKAROS spacecraft from JAXA launched in 2010, is the...

To reach every part of the solar system to explore planets and
moons to find the history of their formation, and the origin of
life
• To make the Cis-Lunar region a sustainable field
• with aggressive and continuous research and development
efforts in new technology
• through intensive collaboration with academia, industry,
and international partners

Lunar exploration is rapidly advancing, driven by increasing international efforts and initiatives. Surface rovers are part of these missions, playing a crucial role in scientific research and resource prospecting. Autonomous rover navigation in lunar environment relies heavily on visual navigation techniques, such as Visual Odometry (VO) and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These...

The cislunar space is an essential pathway for humanity to embark on interstellar exploration and holds significant strategic importance. Currently, lunar exploration missions primarily rely on ground-based tracking and navigation. As the number of cislunar spacecraft increases and mission complexity grows, traditional methods face challenges such as limited ground resources and communication...

This study presents the design and structural analysis of sustainable lunar habitats
utilizing the recently developed regolith-PEEK composite bricks. Building on Torre et
al.'s groundbreaking research (2025), which demonstrated that regolith composites
with minimal thermoplastic binder content (5-10 wt%) exhibit mechanical properties
suitable for construction applications, we propose...

The Lunar Gateway, a key component of NASA's Artemis Program, is designed to function as a versatile outpost orbiting the Moon, featuring communication relay capabilities for lunar assets. The European Space Agency (ESA) contributes to this program through the European System Providing Refueling Infrastructure and Telecommunications (ESPRIT), which includes the Lunar Link (also known as the...

The contribution deals on the fabrication and mechanical testing of composite materials obtained by adding lunar regolith simulant to epoxy resin. The mechanical properties were rationalized with the composite microstructure and the filler particle size distribution.

In future long-term manned missions, the ability to provide fresh food to crew members will be crucial for minimizing resupply from Earth. The consumption of fresh plant food, rich in nutraceutical compounds, will also be a potential countermeasure for the detrimental psychophysical effects of the space environment.
In this context, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) has activated a technology...

The long-term presence of human consciousness beyond Earth demands robust, sustainable and expandable extraterrestrial infrastructures. This paper presents the Lumo Habitat concept, a modular hexagonal structure optimized for lunar deployment but adaptable for other celestial bodies such as Mars, Enceladus, or Titan.
Each habitat module features a hexagonal footprint to ensure optimal...

In the past few decades, CMOS sensors have been widely adopted in consumer applications and are now moving towards space exploration. This work presents a new monolithic CMOS sensor platform that builds upon the ARCADIA technology and will be developed in the SPACEITUP! Spoke4 project, aimed at creating low power, high-resolution sensors for the next-generation satellite missions.
At the...

Claudio Maccone(1) and NicoloAntonietti(2) (1) IAA Scientific Director and INAF Associate. Postal address: Via Renato Martorelli 43, 10155 Torino (TO), Italy. Phone: +39-348-5816-670. Email: claudio.maccone@gmail.com (2) IAA Corresponding Member, Via Martiri della Liberta 8, San Maurizio Canavese (TO). Phone: +39-320-236-9784. Email: nicolo.antonietti@gmail.com

Keywords: Moon Farside...

Over the past decade, extensive research has focused on developing large-scale antenna systems for advanced space applications, targeting structures up to 100 meters for space-based solar power generation. Despite their promising potential, several technological issues persist, primarily related to structural integrity and electromagnetic efficiency. As an intermediate step toward this...

Space flight affects the human body in a way that is similar to physiological ageing [Demontis et al., 2017]. The fish Notobranchius furzeri (N. furzeri) is a suitable and consolidated model for ageing because of its very short, accelerated life cycle (three-four months, the shortest known to date for a vertebrate), characterised by the expression of a large number of vertebrate ageing markers...

ISRO has performed a precise soft landing in the Chandrayan-3 mission to the Moon on 23 August 2023 , demonstrated the capability of controlling a Lunar Rover PRAGYAN in search of a scientifically interesting area. A pair of state-of-the-art, miniature, monochrome, digital Navigation Camera (NavCam) [1] is mounted on the front side of the Rover to compute the 3D position of the terrain ahead. ...

Sun-Earth L2 (SEL2) halo orbits are crucial for deep-space exploration, offering continuous Earth visibility, a stable thermal environment, and favorable observational conditions. While numerous past and planned missions have targeted SEL2, a comprehensive parametric analysis of transfer trajectories remains absent in the literature. This study addresses this gap by systematically...

A Sundiver trajectory is a type of fast solar sailing trajectory where a small solar sailing spacecraft performs a close solar flyby in order to enter a high-energy hyperbolic trajectory. With the increasing interest towards the exploration of the interstellar medium and the Solar system’s distant regions, the Sundiver trajectories are becoming increasingly relevant. As an example, the current...

The increasing interest in lunar exploration, particularly in establishing long-term infrastructure near the Moon, underscores the need for robust and autonomous spacecraft control systems. Lunar halo orbits are appealing locations for future missions, acting as potential hubs for both large and small spacecraft operations. However, the inherent instability of these orbits, combined with the...

As the possibilities of human settlement on Mars and other planetary bodies edge closer to reality, the challenge of achieving self-sustained food production in extraterrestrial environments becomes a primary focus. Space Farm Co is at the forefront of addressing this need by designing a pioneering agricultural research facility that simulates the conditions of Mars and other harsh...

Extending human presence into deep space for sustainable long-term exploration and utilization requires designing infrastructure and habitat systems with a strategic vision of open architecture, repurposing the paradigm of global cooperation among multiple nations and multiple partners combining their various expertise, already experimented for the ISS. Addressing the challenges posed by the...

Space debris was, for some time, a neglected problem: it is now the most serious and urgent problem in space exploration. The presence of space debris now endangers both commercial and other activities in space and restricts new ventures.
One aspect that I cannot see has been analyzed is that space debris can be maneuvered into positions to function as anti-satellite weapons. If a belligerent...

The space economy has been steadily developing over the past few decades, gradually encompassing various aspects of space travel. When reviewing key elements in the private sector, telecommunications and satellite services lead the list, followed by transportation to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The future prospects of the space economy, under current focus, include space manufacturing, space...

Small spacecraft, which a quarter of a century ago were only taking their first steps in the low-Earth orbit, today are becoming a trend in deep space exploration. Two prospective, albeit challenging, destinations for small spacecraft missions are Mars and Venus. In this light, a group of Russian scientific and industrial enterprises recently proposed a universal small spacecraft platform that...

The search for life in the Universe has been one of the drivers for space exploration which has targeted in particular bodies harboring potentially habitable conditions. In order to ensure a safe and sustainable scientific exploration of such bodies, the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967, in its article IX, stipulates against harmful contamination.
On that basis, the Committee on Space...

When Frank White published his book The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution in 1987, a window was opened onto the psychological and spiritual reactions of humans to the sight of Planet Earth from space. The several astronauts interviewed by the author confessed to having experienced “a feeling of awe, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed...

Over the past six decades, space exploration has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, it was a field dominated by pioneering missions that ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere. However, there has been a notable shift towards increased commercial and private sector engagement in recent years, particularly within low-Earth orbit (LEO). This intersection of exploration and...

Due to its proximity to Earth, the Moon is a promising candidate for the location of an extra-terrestrial human colony. In addition to being a high-fidelity platform for research on reduced gravity, radiation risk, and circadian disruption, the Moon qualifies as an isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environment suitable as an analog for studying the psychosocial effects of long-duration human...

Future lunar missions will rely heavily on opto-mechanical components for both navigation and sensing, including lidars, sensors, and lasers. These opto-mechanical components will also be essential for scientific applications such as optical, infrared, and ultraviolet telescopes among other advanced instruments. Present study investigates the feasibility of utilizing regolith-based ceramics as...

As humanity sets its sights on long-term space exploration and potential colonization of other planets, profound anthropological and moral questions arise regarding the kind of human beings we may need—or wish—to design for life beyond Earth. In environments drastically different from those of our home planet, human survival may depend on advanced technological interventions, including genome...

Since 1961, the year of the first manned mission outside the Earth, history has shown that the
human being may venture in space. Yet, visual impairment is the top health risk for long-duration
spaceflight. It is well known that the effects of cosmic rays and microgravity are detrimental for the
human eye so that cataract and especially the so-called ‘‘spaceflight-related neuro-ocular...