Representatives of the eight partner institutions in the consortium — Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida A&M University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Florida State University,  the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida — joined NASA officials, space industry leaders and investors in a day-long discussion of how to strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in a rapidly expanding global space economy.

Read more about Universities, NASA and Space Companies Meet To Discuss the Future of Florida’s Space Ecosystem.

The findings, which come from a chemical experiment performed for the first time on another world, reveal that the Martian surface can preserve the kinds of molecules that could serve as signs of ancient life. However, this experiment cannot distinguish between organic compounds from potential past life on Mars and those formed through geologic processes or delivered by meteorites.

Read more about Mars Rover Detects Never-Before-Seen Organic Compounds in New Experiment.

Scientists at the University of Florida are bringing humanity closer to having a food source on the moon. What’s on the menu? Plants.

Researchers at UF’s Space Plants Laboratory received lunar soil from NASA.

These are rare samples collected during the Apollo 11 expedition, the very first moon landing in 1969.

UF researchers then grew “mouse-ear cresses,” a relative of vegetables like broccoli and kale, in the moon’s soil.

North Central Florida was chosen by NASA to do the research because of the area’s agricultural significance.

“North Central Florida is a huge mecca of research on controlled agriculture. And so any time you think about a greenhouse on the moon, that is controlled ag. A lot of the controlled agriculture, some of the technology, that goes into designing plant habitats for space flight,” Paul said.

Read more about UF Scientists Successfully Grow Plants in Moon Soil From Apollo 11.

Hangbo Yang, HIPER-X

In this week’s Tech Tuesday, UF Innovate highlights HIPER-X, a University of Florida technology that uses light to help computer chips communicate faster and use less energy. Tested with partners like NASA, HIPER-X demonstrates new ways to improve computing efficiency.

“We’re making semiconductor chips even faster. We’re here at the photonics lab to learn more. Dr. Yang, tell us a little bit more about who you are and what you do,” requested Elora Duong, the host of UF Innovate.

Read more about University of Florida Technology Uses Light To Improve Computer Chip Communication.

University of Florida researchers are trying to fix this problem.

Nils Averesch, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and cell science and a member of UF’s Astraeus Space Institute is collaborating with NASA’s Deep Space Logistics (DSL) team to explore innovative biomanufacturing techniques for recycling cargo packing materials from space missions.

Read more about UF Researchers Collaborate With NASA’s Deep Space Logistics Team To Reduce and Repurpose Mission Waste.

The mission is part of NASA’s MISSE, or Materials International Space Station Experiment, which tests how materials and devices perform when exposed to the harsh environment of low Earth orbit.

UF’s contribution focuses on testing the resilience and performance of next-generation photonic semiconductor technologies in space, a step toward developing faster, more efficient computing systems capable of withstanding extreme conditions.

Read more about Florida Engineers Test Photonic AI Chips in Space.

Read more about From Lab to Orbit: Unlocking Next-Gen Gravitational Detection With Quantum-Squeezed Photonic Integrated Circuit.

The work — funded by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program — aims to solve one of the most pressing technical challenges in deep space exploration: preventing the boil-off of cryogenic rocket fuels during long missions. Without efficient thermal management, the supercooled propellants essential to future moon and Mars missions can gradually evaporate, rendering them unusable.

In partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as DARPA, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the University of Florida engineering team is exploring how to manufacture precision metal structures in orbit using laser technology.  

“We want to build big things in space. To build big things in space, you must start manufacturing things in space. This is an exciting new frontier,” said Miller. 

While space research often brings up images of distant worlds and cosmic phenomena, Du is focused on a more immediate challenge: safeguarding astronaut health. As NASA and other space agencies prepare for extended missions to the moon and Mars, the ability to diagnose and treat medical issues remotely, including procedures like ultrasounds, is no longer a distant ideal, but a vital necessity for life beyond Earth.

Du’s research, supported by NASA, is focused on making sure they don’t have to wait that long to act.