The Beyonder's Newsletter May 2024

Hello fellow Beyonder!

Welcome to the May 2024 edition! ???

Hey all??

May 2024 has been an incredible month filled with significant steps forward, new opportunities, fascinating astronomical events, and fun social gatherings. We've made great progress, and we can't wait to share all the details with you!

But that's not all!

As we look ahead to June 2024, we're gearing up for a month dedicated to diversity and inclusivity. Expect a series of inspiring events and initiatives that celebrate the unique contributions of people from various walks of life in the space sector.

Stay in the loop with all our activities and services by joining our Official WhatsApp Community for daily and weekly updates.

Space Video of the Month

Please watch our Auroras Special short video with images sent by our members along with some humor here:

Video editing by Sibsankar Palit (Founder, Executive Director and Newsletter Editor)

Subscribe to the official LIFE-To & Beyond Foundation YouTube Channel for more

What's Up at LIFE-To & Beyond?

May 2024 Activities and Achievements:

• On the 5th of May 2024, our Executive Director Sibsankar Palit presented a part of his work on Phosphorus Biosignature inputs for the NASA NfoLD Life Detection Knowledge Base at the BMSIS Company Symposium to an audience in the US at the AbSciCon2024.
• On the 9th of May 2024, Palit also presented the same as part of his main presentation in the AbSciCon2024 session: Rising Stars and Stellar Influences Online session. Special thanks to Dr. Graham Lau , from Blue Marble Space Institute of Science for supporting Palit in his project as a part of the Young Scientist Program 2023. Thanks to our Operations Director and Co-Founder Subhajit Hazra for supporting him with the Bibliometric Analysis. More on AbSciCon2024 here.

• Palit bagged the Best Poster award for his work! ?? He presented among 86 other Posters (By Research Scholars, PG, and UG students) at the National Seminar on the Interfaces of Chemistry and Biology at Rammohan College, Kolkata. His Poster topic was based on his Summer project at the Young Scientist Program 2023 ( Blue Marble Space Institute of Science ). Topic: Phosphorus species as Biosignature inputs on the NASA NfoLD Life Detection Knowledge Base (LDKB). His Poster was awarded one of 5 Best Posters on Saturday (11th May 2024). Thanks for representing LIFE-To & Beyond Foundation? , Palit. We are proud of you!

• We finally formalized the 1st Registered Office of LIFE-To & Beyond Foundation? in the City of Brotherhood, Asansol, West Bengal, India, (May 2024). Our Provisional Office in Barasat, established in September 2022, will continue to serve as our satellite branch, supporting our initiatives in Kolkata and Southern West Bengal, India. Our expansion northwards across West Bengal signifies our dedication to extending our space activities throughout the region and beyond.

• Our co-founders, Palit and Hazra visited the International Museum Expo 2024 held on 18-19th May at the Science City in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was an incredible experience for us at LIFE-To & Beyond Foundation?. We had the privilege of meeting and learning from key stakeholders like,- Dr. Debiprasad Duari (renowned space science communicator and former Director of M.P. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata) and- Dr. Sandip Chakrabarti (Director of the Indian Centre for Space Physics, Kolkata). Expert astrophotographers such as Mr. Ajay Talwar and Mr. Anupam Naskar shared invaluable insights, while we also discussed our work with Mr. Gopal Mondal, (Astronomy communicator and telescope resource person). Additionally, we connected with numerous science communicators, entrepreneurs, and artists from across India and the world.

• We are excited to welcome two new teammates, Sugam Kaistha and Hemant Kulhari, from Chandigarh University. They will be assisting us with technical and team management work within the organization.

• On May 14th, 2024, our Finance Officer Darshan Deshpande received his convocation certificate on the completion of his Master of Commerce Advanced Accountancy degree from the DSPM's K.V. Pendharkar College of Arts, Science, and Commerce (Autonomous), Dombivli (E) affiliated to the University of Mumbai .

• Our Finance Officer Darshan Deshpande 's Liverpool John Moores University Master of Science Computer Science learning story was featured by the EdTech start-up from India named upGrad . Here's the feature video: Darshan Deshpande | MSCS from LJMU | upGrad Testimonial | EP 25/365 Real Stories.

We are OPEN to more collaborations. Please write to us at [email protected] if you or your organization wishes to organize Space outreach events!

Grab your Opportunity in Space!

Opportunities for Students:

• Communications Co-op student- Fall 2024 at?MDA Space (Canada)-?Work with the Corporate Communications team to assist in the execution of communications strategies (internal and external) to support corporate activities (at times working with agencies). Learn more and apply here.
• 2024 Accounting intern at?Northrop Grumman (Irving TX, USA)-?Financial Shared Services organization supporting a variety of General Accounting functions.? Learn more and apply here.
• Business Intelligence Intern [F/M] at Exotrail (France)-?Complete the development of an analysis tool to map the competition of Exotrail for its products, spaceware, spacevan, spacestudio and spacetower, to help the company to have a better understanding of the competitive landscape.?Learn more and apply here.
• Avionics Engineer — Intern (Summer 2024) at Astranis (CA, USA)-?Work with the avionics engineering team to build and test flight hardware. Design test equipment to validate designs across a wide range of stressed conditions.?Learn more and apply here.
• NanoSpace Astrochemistry Training School (26-30 August 2024, Groningen, The Netherlands)- A COST/DAN summer school on the astrochemistry of star & planet formation. Learn more and apply here.
• A PhD position in astrochemistry, astrobiology, and analytical chemistry just opened at Laboratoire Inter-Universitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques / Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC). Apply here.
• The Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology offers an opportunity for engineering graduates and MSc holders with a valid GATE (physics) score to pursue a 2-year master's program in Astronomy & Astrophysics. The program provides an intellectually stimulating environment with a combination of lectures, hands-on training, and a year-long research project. Learn more here and Apply here.

Please write to us at [email protected] if you or your organization wishes to share an opportunity!

Space is Open for Business!

Job/ Business Opportunities:

Become a Patron and receive job as well as business opportunities in your email inbox! Please fill out this subscription form and choose the Patron option. Please write to us at [email protected] to know more.

Please let us know at [email protected] if you or your organization wishes to share an opportunity!

Experience Space from the comfort of Earth!

Astronomical & Space events for June 2024-

• June 1: Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test-?A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on its first crewed flight, with NASA astronauts and former Navy test pilots, commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Sunita Williams. The Crew Test Flight (CFT) to the International Space Station will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Starliner is still set to fly on its historic first flight with astronauts on June 1, but that could change as the team works through "complicated" issues following a small helium leak.

• June 2: Moon near Mars-?On June 2, the 24%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mars (mag 1.1). Both objects will be in the constellation Pisces. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

• June 4: Jupiter near Mercury-?On June 4, Jupiter (mag -2.0) will meet Mercury (mag -1.1) in the constellation Taurus. The planets will be clearly visible to the naked eye, but you can also observe them closer with a telescope or a pair of binoculars.
• June 5:?Starship IFT-4- SpaceX is targeting June 5 for the fourth integrated flight test (IFT-4) of Starship, the giant vehicle it's developing to get people and cargo to the moon, Mars and beyond. That date is written in pencil rather than pen, however, for SpaceX still needs to secure regulatory approval — specifically, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's acceptance of a Starship launch license modification.?
• June 6: New Moon- The New Moon will occur on June 6, at 12:38 GMT (8:38 a.m. EDT). At this point, our natural satellite will stay between the Earth and the Sun, so its bright side will be facing away from the Earth. It’s the best time for stargazing because the Moon’s light won’t hinder the view.
• June 15:?Ariane 6 Rocket Launch- The European Space Agency (ESA) Ariane 6 rocket from France-based company Arianespace will launch on its debut mission to space. Ariane 6 was initially planned to begin flying in 2020 and ramp up its cadence to replace the older Ariane 5 rocket seamlessly. However, the Ariane 5 flew its 117th and final mission in early July 2023, while Ariane 6 has suffered a series of delays, caused by technical issues, COVID-19, and design changes.
• June 20: June solstice- The June solstice marks the first day of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2024, it will happen on June 20, at 20:51 GMT (4:51 p.m. EDT). It will be the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere; the observers from the Southern Hemisphere, on the contrary, will experience the least amount of sunlight and the shortest day of the year. We prepared a fun and educational quiz about equinoxes and solstices for you. Check if you can tell the difference between these two astronomical events!
• June 22: Full Moon- The Full Strawberry Moon will occur on June 22, at 01:08 GMT (9:08 p.m. EDT). Our natural satellite will be in the constellation Sagittarius. Technically, the Full Moon lasts only for a moment when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, but the lunar disk will appear full for one day before and after it.
• June 25:?Falcon Heavy GOES-U- NOAA's GOES-U will launch the GOES-R constellation, and will examine the corona, or outer atmosphere, of the sun. NOAA's Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system focuses on providing critical information on environmental issues from the land to the sea and sky. Thanks to the GOES-R series, scientists are able to get high-definition images of Earth faster than ever before.?
• June 27: Moon near Saturn, lunar occultation of Saturn- On June 27, the 72.2%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 1.1). Both objects will be in the constellation Aquarius. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars. Observers from eastern Australia, north-eastern New Zealand, Fiji, and New Caledonia will also see the lunar occultation of Saturn.

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Socialise in Space Events

June 2024 social events-

• 7th SmallSat & Space Access Summit (Wednesday, June 5 at 8:00 am - Thursday, June 6 at 5:00 pm) at Sunset Room at National Harbor 137 National Plaza, Oxon Hill, MD, United States- Defense Strategies Institute is proud to host the 7th Annual SmallSat & Space Access Summit. This comprehensive two-day event will bring together leaders across DoD, Federal Government, IC, and industry to discuss the advancements in commercial and government small spacecraft and launch capabilities. Learn more.
• Seattle Space Week (Saturday, June 8 - Thursday, June 13) at Museum of Flight 9404 E. Marginal Way, Seattle, WA, United States- Dive into the heart of the Pacific Northwest's space industry during Seattle Space Week. Discover engaging events for business leaders, policymakers, industry professionals – and you! Take part in the region's thriving space economy and entrepreneurial spirit. Watch this page for updates and additional information. Learn more.
• Ignite Space 2024 (Tuesday, June 11 - Wednesday, June 12 ) at Royal Armouries, Leeds Armouries Dr, Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Acting as a catalyst for commercial success, the Ignite Space Conference and Exhibition 2024 will create opportunities for you and your business to engage with new customers, collaborators, and investors within the UK space industry and its supply chain. Learn more.
• PSSI 7th Space Security Conference (Sunday, June 16 at 6:00 pm - Tuesday, June 18 at 2:00 pm) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Loretanske namesti 101/5, Prague, Prague District, Czech Republic. We would like to cordially invite you to register for our 7th PSSI Space Security Conference entitled “Forging Strategic Partnerships in the Global Space Race”, which will take place on 16-18 June 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. Learn more.

Please write to us at [email protected] if you or your organization wishes to organize Space outreach/social events or if you'd like to share event details!

A Star was Born!

Bernard Anthony Harris Jr. (born June 26, 1956) is a former NASA astronaut.

Birthday: June 26, 1956 (68th Birthday)

Birthplace: Temple, Texas, USA

Achievement: On February 9, 1995, Harris became the first African American to perform an extra-vehicular activity (spacewalk), during the second of his two Space Shuttle flights.

Beyonder of the Month

This month's the Beyonder of the Month isn't an individual or a group but the awe-inspiring Auroras , or Northern Lights . These celestial phenomena have captivated people globally, transcending borders and uniting us in shared wonder. When we received photos of the Auroras from our members around the world, we marveled at their beauty and our collective connection to space.

This unifying experience stands in stark contrast to the destructive nature of wars like those in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine, which highlight the devastating impacts of conflict. The Auroras remind us of our common humanity and the potential of utilizing Space as a force of peace and awe (#Space4Peace) amidst a divided world.

That’s all for this month, Beyonders!

Please stay tuned for the next month as we feature more helpful and exciting information and things to do!

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Special thanks to Darshan Deshpande (Finance Officer and Newsletter Coordinator) and Sibsankar Palit (Founder, Executive Director, and Newsletter Editor) for their hard work in making this amazing content available. We also thank all the other Team members for reviewing the work and for sharing their valuable input and feedback.

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