Happy new year to the industry’s scientists, engineers, physicians, business professionals, and students!

2024 was an outstanding year, both at ASP and across the workforce. As an international professional organization that serves public and private sectors in human spaceflight, ASP's membership includes several major professional disciplines, and 2024 included many exciting discussions with individuals and organizations interested in their role in the burgeoning industry.

Last year’s accomplishments were focused in three major areas. First, the ISS National Lab (ISSNL) has highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between the student community and developmental opportunities across the industry. The ISSNL has sought partner organizations whose programs support workforce development, and ASP continues to pursue these opportunities directly with ISSNL, specifically with a focus on the development of credentialing taxonomies. Second, we continue to pursue partnerships with a variety of fundraising organizations, with a focus on leveraging donor-advised funds as administered by Fidelity Charitable. Lastly, ASP’s Science and Engineering Working Group continues to contribute to the state-of-the-literature with technical reviews on the needs for long-duration human spaceflight.

Our partners achieved remarkable milestones alongside ASP's successes. The International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) has successfully manifested crew for upcoming flights on Virgin Galactic while continuing the development of core curriculum for training in human spaceflight. AIAA’s ASCEND event saw continued increases in attendance and featured a panel address by Tom Marshburn, Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Space on the healthcare needs of a future cislunar industry. The American Medical Student and Resident Organization (AMSRO) expanded its reach and continued growth of a mentorship program that pairs medical students with experienced physicians. These accomplishments underscore a collaborative spirit and innovative drive that continues to advance our industry.

ASP’s Board of Directors and Executive Team are pursuing the following strategic priorities for 2025:

Fundraising

Fundraising continues to be an important part of ASP’s plans for growth. We continue to pursue opportunities for fundraising that leverage individual and corporate donors.

Membership Services

We recognize the importance of technical symposia for our membership. As we continue to assess the need for an in-person event, we plan to continue to build our technical hub across scientific, engineering, medical, and business disciplines.

Further, ASP will continue to lay the groundwork for offering professional credentials in a variety of professional competencies to the industry at large.

Industry Events

Exhibiting ASP’s membership to the industry will be an important focus throughout the year. Look for ASP’s booth at AIAA’s ASCEND, as well as potential appearances at AsMA’s Scientific Meeting and ASGSR.

Corporate Memberships

ASP continues pursuing memberships with strategic corporate partners. With an eye to resource development for our membership, these partners have the opportunity to continue the growth of the industry through the support of a variety of professional disciplines.

ASP envisions several important developments across the industry this year. These will include critical technological developments (like Starship’s full reusability and New Glenn’s Blue Ring), important changes to domestic and international politics, dynamic industry-wide economics, and the maintenance of a launch cadence supporting a variety of mission types. We look forward to aiding this ongoing advancement through the support of the industry’s professionals.

Our Board will initiate its Q1 meeting shortly. In addition, several members of the Executive Team and Working Groups will be attending the 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop to participate in the dissemination of the latest research in microgravity life sciences and human research.

This will be a very exciting year. Here’s to a successful 2025!

Crew of Polaris Dawn at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9, September 2024. Photo @jaredisaacman.

The Association of Spaceflight Professionals is an international professional organization serving public and private sectors in human spaceflight. ASP's membership represents a cross section of professional disciplines with a common focus on the microgravity operational environment.

Learn more about ASP (including membership) here. You can also keep up-to-date on the latest from the industry, including research, news, and resources, by subscribing to ASP’s updates here.