The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space and Adelaide University have been announced as the first Australian organisations to join the Axiom Space University Alliance, a growing global space research initiative led by US-based company Axiom Space.
As governments and global stakeholders work towards a commercial space ecosystem, the collaboration will prioritize access to microgravity for research, innovation, and exploration purposes. The effort highlights the enduring importance of the research sector's role in an evolving space landscape.
"Collaboration is critical to ensuring humanity’s next steps in space are taken the right way", says Professor Matthew Gilliham, Director of Plants for Space.
“Networks like the Axiom Space Alliance are essential for driving innovations needed for humans to thrive in space, while creating the pathways for serious benefits back on Earth."
P4S will contribute by helping to identify future research priorities, participating in international collaborative scientific initiatives, and strengthening national strategic positioning in emerging commercial orbital research activities. We join 25 other institutions across 12 nations globally, including India, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
Building on Success
This announcement follows the success of several joint projects with Axiom Space.
One current project, in collaboration with UC Davis, is focused on pharmaceutical production in space and low resource environments on Earth. It is scheduled for demonstration on the International Space Station in 2027.
Read more about the Engineered Plants in Culture (EPiC) collaboration here.
P4S have also developed a prototype autonomous farming system with Axiom to enable plant growth in space. Researchers designed and built a system to support closed-loop production, including sophisticated irrigation, integrated lighting, and plant health monitoring for microgravity environments.
The project was supported by the Australian and UK Space Agencies' Bilateral fund, and worked with consortium partners Vertical Future (UK), University of Cambridge (UK), University of Adelaide (Aus), University of Western Australia (Aus), University of Southern Queensland (Aus), Axiom Space (USA), Saber Astronautics (Aus, USA), and the South Australian Space Industry Centre (Aus).
Into Orbit
“Together, Alliance members are taking the initiative to ensure microgravity research benefits everyone on Earth and our shared goals fulfill a scientific purpose to advance civilization”, said Dr. Lucie Low, Axiom Space Chief Science Officer.
Our membership in the Alliance will allow P4S researchers to support long-term space exploration missions, and ultimately help advance sustainability research on Earth.
Read the original Press Release here:
Axiom Space’s University Alliance Expands, Connecting Researchers Across Four Continents
About Axiom Space
Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.
Banner Image: Axiom Space | Michael Lopez Alegria
