Advocating for innovative space exploration, benefitting Earth and the cosmos

Advocating for innovative space exploration, benefitting Earth and the cosmos

The Aurelia Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to making space accessible and beneficial for all, is pushing the boundaries of space technology with its flagship project, TESSERAE. This innovative self-assembling space architecture technology has recently been spun off into a separate for-profit company to further its commercial and technological growth.

TESSERAE, which uses magnetized tiles that can autonomously self-assemble, disassemble, and maintain stability in microgravity, was tested on the International Space Station (ISS) during a private mission in 2022. The technology is set for further testing on the ISS in early 2026 under a NASA grant.

Beyond TESSERAE, the Aurelia Institute is expanding its efforts in designing human-scale space habitats. This includes the creation of a space garden and a large 20-foot dome pavilion showcasing future space architecture interiors. These projects aim to make space habitats not just functional but truly livable, exploring how to outfit them for daily life. The space dome pavilion was recently deployed as part of a six-month exhibit at the Seattle Museum of Flight.

The Institute also functions as a research lab, education and outreach center, and space policy hub, collaborating with MIT and other partners to run annual microgravity research flights. Each flight involves about 25 participants conducting 10 to 15 experiments, with nearly 200 people having flown so far. More than 70% of participants have pursued ongoing careers in the space sector.

Aurelia offers open-source courses on designing microgravity experiments and leads efforts in space education, community-building, and policy development across academia, industry, and the arts. The institute's work often extends from projects initiated by its founder, Ariel Ekblaw, during her time at MIT.

In summary, the Aurelia Institute's latest projects and developments include spinning off TESSERAE into a separate company with continued ISS testing planned in 2026, expanding habitat design work with exhibits like the 20-foot space dome and space garden installation, running annual zero-gravity flights for research and education, and providing education through open-source classes and leading policy and community initiatives in space access and sustainability. These activities collectively advance Aurelia's mission to democratize space access and create livable habitats that benefit both spacefarers and people on Earth.

The Aurelia Institute was founded by Ariel Ekblaw, Danielle DeLatte, and Sana Sharma after Ekblaw completed her PhD in 2020. Ekblaw's passion for space was sparked during a NASA microgravity flight as part of a research project while at Yale University. She later led the launch of the Space Exploration Initiative at MIT, which drives innovation at the frontiers of space exploration. The collaboration between Ekblaw and DeLatte and Sharma from the MIT community turned into the Aurelia Institute.

The Institute's mission includes making space accessible to all people and focusing on space infrastructure for the public good. Its self-assembling space architecture technology, TESSERAE, was developed by Ekblaw. The TESSERAE project was recently spun off into a separate, for-profit company. The Institute conducts annual microgravity flights for research, workforce training, and inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.

1. The Aurelia Institute, established by Ariel Ekblaw, Danielle DeLatte, and Sana Sharma, aims to make space accessible for everyone and focuses on creating space infrastructure for public benefit.
2. Aurelia's flagship project, TESSERAE, is an innovative self-assembling space technology that uses magnetized tiles, tested on the International Space Station (ISS) and scheduled for further testing in 2026.
3. Beyond TESSERAE, the Aurelia Institute is working on designing livable space habitats, such as a space garden and a 20-foot dome pavilion showcasing future space architecture interiors.
4. The Institute functions as a research lab, education center, and space policy hub, partnering with MIT and others to run annual microgravity research flights for students and professionals alike.
5. Aurelia offers open-source courses on designing microgravity experiments and leads efforts in space education, community-building, and policy development across academia, industry, and the arts.
6. The Institute's work, often stemming from projects initiated by Ekblaw, includes expanding habitats, running research flights, developing policies, and providing education in space access and sustainability.
7. More than 70% of participants in Aurelia's microgravity flights have pursued ongoing careers in the space sector, demonstrating the institute's impact on the future of space exploration.
8. Aurelia's projects, like the space dome pavilion and TESSERAE, advance the institute's mission to democratize space access and create livable habitats that benefit both spacefarers and people on Earth.
9. As TESSERAE was recently spun off into a separate, for-profit company, the Aurelia Institute continues its work in education, self-development, technology, science, space-and-astronomy, environment, and research innovation to foster a sustainable future for space exploration and offering public benefits.

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