Dr. Ariel Ekblaw, Aurelia Institute | Self Assembling Space Architecture
Foresight Institute’s Space Group
Self Assembling Space Architecture
Abstract: Dr. Ariel Ekblaw, engineer and researcher at MIT and the Aurelia Institute, will present insights on the latest advancements in next-generation space technologies, with a focus on rapidly evolving technology in cislunar and Low Earth Orbits (LEO). Her work pioneers innovations in commercial space stations and sustainable lunar habitats, including the TESSERAE platform, a breakthrough in scalable, self-assembling space architecture. Dr. Ekblaw’s perspective outlines the future of a robust space economy, driven by engineering advancements in spacecraft systems and habitat construction.
Bio: Dr. Ariel Ekblaw is the founder and CEO of Aurelia Institute and GP for Aurelia Foundry Fund, where she strives to bring humanity’s space exploration future to life. Through space architecture R&D, education and outreach, and investments in new space start-ups, she is building an ecosystem to expand humanity’s horizons, democratize access to opportunities in low Earth orbit, and scale up life in space. Ariel was the founding Director of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative, a team of 50+ students, faculty, and staff building and flying advanced technology for space exploration. Ariel graduated with a B.S. in Physics, Mathematics, and Philosophy from Yale University and designed a novel space architecture habitat for her MIT PhD in autonomously self-assembling space structures. Her research work and the labs she leads build towards future habitats and space stations in orbit around the Earth, Moon, and Mars. Ariel is the author/editor of Into the Anthropocosmos: A Whole Space Catalog from the MIT Space Exploration Initiative (MIT Press 2021), serves on the NASA Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) Executive Committee and XPRIZE Global Visioneering Committee, and holds an appointment as a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center. Ariel’s work has been featured in WIRED, Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, CNN, NPR, numerous academic papers, top tech podcasts, and more.
Webpage: https://www.aureliainstitute.org/
This seminar is part of Foresight's Space Group Seminar Series. To join future seminars in this program please apply here.
A group of researchers, entrepreneurs, and allies advancing space technologies, from near-term applications to long-term exploration such as space flight, manufacturing, mining, and governance.
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