Podcast Summary: The Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities Episode: T-Minus Space Daily Host: Maria Varmazes Release Date: May 24, 2025

Introduction to COSMIC and ISAM

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazes introduces listeners to the Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC). COSMIC is a nationwide coalition dedicated to enhancing domestic capabilities in Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM). The primary goal is to stimulate workforce development and foster collaboration among industry, academia, and research organizations to propel ISAM initiatives forward.

The Cosmic Capstone Challenge (C3)

Maria delves into COSMIC's recent accomplishments, notably the completion of the first Cosmic Capstone Challenge (C3). She interviews two key figures involved in the initiative:

• Sita Raghavan ([02:37]): A professor of aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Sita oversees research in materials under extreme environments and serves as the Academic Caucus Chair of COSMIC. She emphasizes the importance of COSMIC in uniting multidisciplinary experts to advance ISAM capabilities.

• Joy Haying ([03:33]): Holding a master's in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins, Joy works as a space systems architecture engineer at the Aerospace Corporation. She focuses on integrating ISAM into early mission formulation and leading the Workforce Development focus area within COSMIC.

Multidisciplinary Approach to ISAM

The conversation highlights the inherently multidisciplinary nature of ISAM, requiring expertise in automation, robotics, materials science, physics, and engineering. Sita Raghavan ([05:08]) underscores how COSMIC has successfully amalgamated professionals from diverse backgrounds to create a cohesive effort towards developing ISAM standards and educational programs. She notes:

"COSMIC is really what glues us together. [...] we've managed to get a whole bunch of people coming together working on areas of research, product development, workforce development, you name it." ([05:08])

Academic Frameworks and Curriculum Development

Sita discusses the current state of academia in supporting ISAM:

"We need more targeted topics and focused areas that just address the ISAM needs and sort of bringing that together so that it's going to be able to train a student who's able to contribute to all aspects of ISAM." ([07:23])

She points out the necessity for a national strategy to ensure comprehensive coverage of all ISAM facets, preventing any critical areas from being overlooked in workforce training.

Engaging the Next Generation: C3 Initiatives

Joy Haying ([09:07]) elaborates on the design and impact of the Cosmic Capstone Challenge:

"We really gave students an open-ended prompt. [...] the winning team from Cal State LA Space Bender was literally just bending wire in space. It was very simple." ([12:52])

The C3 encourages students to conceptualize payloads for small satellite buses, fostering creativity without the constraints of existing technological limitations. By collaborating with industry partners like David Barnhart of USC and Arcasys, students receive technical specifications and mentorship, bridging the gap between theoretical design and practical application.

High School Involvement and Outreach

The program extends beyond universities, involving high school teams such as those from Shasta High School. Sita remarks on the enthusiasm and innovative thinking displayed by these younger participants:

"It's necessary to think out of the box like that and help us as well." ([12:39])

Joy adds that high school teams are actively building prototypes, with students engaging in hands-on activities like welding metal structures, showcasing the program's effectiveness in igniting early interest in ISAM careers.

Future Plans and Expansion of C3

Looking ahead, Joy Haying ([20:51]) outlines plans to expand the Cosmic Capstone Challenge by introducing specialized tracks:

1. Orbital Manufacturing and Assembly
2. Lunar-Oriented Surface Operations
3. Orbital Servicing (e.g., refueling missions)
4. In-Space Robotic Assembly

This segmentation allows students to focus on specific aspects of ISAM that align with their expertise and interests, offering flexibility for larger institutions to undertake more complex projects while providing smaller teams with manageable challenges.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, both Sita and Joy emphasize the ongoing growth and the need for broader academic participation:

"COSMIC is still growing and we do need more academic participants. [...] it's so, it's so, so many different ideas." ([23:20] - Sita Raghavan)

They invite universities, student clubs, and interested individuals to engage with COSMIC and contribute to the evolving landscape of ISAM.

Joy concludes with an optimistic outlook:

"The future is bright. The first year was very successful but definitely still learning and growing." ([24:28])

Key Takeaways

• COSMIC's Role: A pivotal coalition advancing ISAM through collaboration across industry and academia.
• C3's Impact: Engages over 200 students, including high schoolers, in creative ISAM projects, fostering early interest and practical skills.
• Multidisciplinary Focus: Emphasizes the integration of various scientific and engineering disciplines to address complex ISAM challenges.
• Future Expansion: Plans to diversify C3 tracks to cater to specialized ISAM areas, allowing for targeted skill development.
• Community Engagement: Calls for increased academic involvement to sustain and accelerate ISAM advancements.

Notable Quotes

• Sita Raghavan ([05:08]):

  "COSMIC is really what glues us together. [...] we've managed to get a whole bunch of people coming together working on areas of research, product development, workforce development, you name it."

• Joy Haying ([12:52]):

  "We really gave students an open-ended prompt. [...] the winning team from Cal State LA Space Bender was literally just bending wire in space. It was very simple."

• Sita Raghavan ([07:23]):

  "We need more targeted topics and focused areas that just address the ISAM needs and sort of bringing that together so that it's going to be able to train a student who's able to contribute to all aspects of ISAM."

• Joy Haying ([24:28]):

  "The future is bright. The first year was very successful but definitely still learning and growing."

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily offers an in-depth look into COSMIC's efforts to cultivate the next generation of ISAM experts, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and early educational engagement in shaping the future of space mobility and manufacturing.