Technical programme

B3.1. Governmental Human Spaceflight Programmes (Overview)

The session provides the forum for updates and annual “Overview” presentations on present and evolving governmental Human Spaceflight programmes. Each year, the session will focus on specific themes dealing with human spaceflight exploration. These will be selected by the session chairs based on the received abstracts. The session will accept manuscripts from any organization (agencies, industries, research centers, academia, etc.) dealing with international, Governmental human space programmes initiatives. The range of topic to be addressed in this session include mission to low Earth orbit (LEO) and those beyond Earth orbit (BEO) and include orbital systems, crew and cargo transportation systems, as well as surface systems and operations on the Moon. The format of the session (e.g. panel, pitching presentations, keynote speech) will be a result of such a selection.

B3.2. Commercial Human Spaceflight Programmes

This session provides a forum for papers describing commercial human orbital and sub-orbital endeavours including orbital space stations, commercial transportation systems, services, operation and uses, as well as human-tended space station platforms. This session also accepts papers on commercial human spaceflight activities in cis-lunar space and lunar surface operations. Topics include the status of development, testing, operations and utilization; the architecture and performance of various systems; orbital infrastructure development; commercial operations and utilization projects, market and economic development activity, and other pertinent areas of commercial human spaceflight. Examples of activity include but are not limited to commercial utilization and other commercial activity on the International Space Station, international capability for commercial transportation, activities planned for future human spaceflight platforms either in low Earth orbit (LEO) or beyond Earth orbit (BEO) and other applications are appropriate for this session.

B3.3. Utilization & Exploitation of Human Spaceflight Systems

This session addresses the utilization and exploitation of space stations, spacecraft, and surface systems and provides the opportunity to discuss achievements, plans and outlooks. Topics for discussion include proposed or available payload facilities, experiments, research, manufacturing, and other on-orbit and surface activity and its related planning, accommodation, and implementation. Additional items appropriate for discussion include scientific and industrial utilization applications and engineering research and technology demonstrations, as well as uses of space stations (ie. International Space Station and Chinese Space Station Tjangong) and other crewed vehicles as test beds for exploration. We also invite papers on challenges for future sustainability of human spaceflight which may be investigated through utilization of on-orbit crew and crewed platforms, and includes those in cis-lunar space and on the surface of the Moon. These may include investigation of in-situ resources and other potential economic and technological enablers, results of advanced manufacturing tests and demonstrations, and reduction and mitigation of risks.

B3.4-B6.4. Flight & Ground Operations aspects of Human Spaceflight - Joint Session of the IAF Human Spaceflight and IAF Space Operations Symposia

This session addresses systems, advanced concepts, key challenges and their solutions related to flight and ground operations within governmental and commercial human spaceflight. Topics include among others; cutting-edge operational tools, solutions, efficient cost reduction measures, improved operational ground facilities or infrastructure, enhanced logistics concepts as well as new approaches for mission planning, ground transportation, and sustainment.

B3.5. Astronaut Training, Accommodation, and Operations in Space

This session begins with an Astronaut Roundtable where an international group of astronauts from the various programmes will discuss their experiences in a roundtable format. There will be an extended Question and Answer period of interaction with the audience. This session concentrates on all aspects of spaceflight that are unique to the presence of astronauts. It encompasses astronaut activities such as selection, training, workload management, and task division between flight and ground segments. It includes spacecraft systems and robotic tools; interfaces; international command, control and communications; payloads; research; and utilization. It addresses the unique spacecraft systems required to safely accommodate astronauts during intravehicular and extravehicular activities. The session includes astronaut pre-mission, mission, and post-mission support of technological and scientific space-based research and utilization of human space complexes and the space environment.

B3.6-A5.3. Human and Robotic Partnerships in Exploration - Joint session of the IAF Human Spaceflight and IAF Exploration Symposia

This session seeks papers on new systems and technologies for current human spaceflight and exploration programmes, and the role of human and robotic partnerships in areas such as onboard robotic assistants, habitat / infrastructure construction support, human mobility support systems (e.g. EVA mobility aids, rovers); and robotic precursor activities to human spaceflights for test, validation, and demonstration of systems. This session also welcomes papers considering how the roles of humans, machines and intelligent systems are likely to evolve in the coming years and the corresponding impact on complex mission design, implementation, and operations.

B3.7. Advanced Systems, Technologies, and Innovations for Human Spaceflight

This session is designed to examine and identify the potential evolution of key elements of Human Spaceflight missions, especially those driven by advanced technologies and innovations. Papers are solicited that address potential future subsystems, technologies, innovations, logistics, processes, procedures, etc. Papers are also encouraged that address key factors in enabling innovation and new system insertion in human space flight, including reliability, availability, first time use, learning by doing, early testing and integration results, and prototyping. Topics which enable or significantly improve future human space mission objectives are of interest including for exploration, commercial initiatives, tourism, and industrial undertakings. Also, lessons learned from past missions and their application to future missions are essential topics in this session.

B3.8. Human Space & Exploration

This session addresses current and future missions, applications and preparatory plans for human lunar and planetary exploration activities. The session covers human exploration of the Moon including its surface and cislunar space as well as Mars missions. Papers that delve into the programmatic and technical aspects of these activities are encouraged. Both national and international perspectives are invited as are emerging areas of commercial human exploration activities.

B3.9-GTS.2. Human Spaceflight Global Technical Session

The Human Space Endeavours Global Technical Session is targeting individuals and organizations with the objective of sharing best practices, future projects, research and issues for the future of Human Space Endeavours. This is a Global session co-sponsored by the Human Space Endeavours Committee and the Workforce Development/Young Professionals Programme Committee.

B3.IP. Interactive Presentations - IAF HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT SYMPOSIUM

This session offers a unique opportunity to deliver your key messages in an interactive presentation on any of the subjects of Human Spaceflight addressed in the classic Sessions. The presentation will be displayed on digital screens in a dedicated location and available for view by all Congress attendees for the entire Congress week. In addition, one afternoon is dedicated exclusively for the attendees to view the Interactive Presentations, and the author will be assigned a specific ten minute slot to personally present the topic and interact with the attendees present. The Interactive Presentation may take advantage of all electronic display capabilities, such as: PowerPoint charts, embedded hot links, pictures, audio and video clips etc. An award will also be presented to the author of the best Interactive Presentation in the B Category at a special ceremony. An Abstract that follows the standard format must be submitted by the deadline for standard IAC abstracts.

B3.IPB. Interactive Presentations - IAF HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT SYMPOSIUM

B3.LBA. Late Breaking Abstracts (LBA)