The Swiss Institute for Disruptive Innovation (SIDI) through the School of Disruption, in collaboration with the International Space University (ISU), organizes two webinars, free and open to all. The webinars will deal with fundamental topics for the Space Industry and will anticipate the topics that will be treated during the workshops and in-depth courses.
8-days Workshop in SPACE ARCHITECTURE taking place on Aprli 25th - May 4th at the International Space University in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
Two free webinars dedicated to two of the most important issues related to life beyond orbit: space architecture and the space economy.
The first meetings in post-covid mode
The first, Space Architecture, will be held on March 16 at 9.00 am, it is an introductory meeting to the workshop that will take place from April 25 to May 4, in attendance, at the International Space University in the Strasbourg district. After the limits imposed by Covid, there is a need to participate in face-to-face events and meetings. The April workshop on space architecture responds to this need. It emphasizes the importance of going beyond online meetings and meeting in person to share experiences, ideas, opinions, contacts. Rediscover the value that comes from teamwork in the presence and the importance of informal moments during meetings.

A seminar to discover the potential of Space architecture
Space Architecture is one of those fields with the highest growth margin because it plays a fundamental role in solving the problems related to staying on the Moon and Mars, in zero gravity, under the influence of space radiation. Any technology or project related to space, to be developed effectively, requires high levels of professionalism in this field. Taking a practical course in space architecture means obtaining the tools and knowledge to seize new economic and professional opportunities.
Who is it for? The course is highly recommended for architects, interior designers, engineers, architecture students and anyone who wants to try their hand in a competitive field with high potential.
What will the themes be? The main topics of the seminar will focus on the study and planning of all those utilities necessary for mobility and permanence in space and on other planets. Orbiting modules, interplanetary spacecraft, living elements and vehicles for travel on the lunar or martial ground. Participants will work in groups and at the end of the course each team will present its design project, the most valid will receive recognition and a special prize. In addition, each participant will be issued a certificate of participation that will allow him to obtain the credits recognized by the professional associations.
A special quote for teachers. The webinar will be held by two internationally renowned space architects: Barbara Imhof and René Waclavicek. Both with a long experience in the field of research and design on the construction of spatial modules, heads of LIQUIFER System Group, a company that collaborates in research projects and development to allow astronauts to stay on other planets. They will coordinate with the other professionals who will participate in the Strasbourg event.
Introductory Webinar, Space Architecture Workshop, Highlights of the 8-day workshop to be held in April at the International Space University in Strasbourg
Space biotechnology a know-how not to be missed

The second webinar will have the topic of space biotechnology. It will take place on March 17 from 9.00 and will be held by an international expert, Armando Azua-Bustos, a microbiologist and researcher with more than 30 scientific publications, with the participation of Paola Sonni and Igor Ciminelli of SIDI. The seminar anticipates the topics that will be covered during the world’s first on-demand study course on Space Biotechnology. The course is divided into 30 lessons always available online once enrolled. At the end of the lessons, a certificate from the European Center for space exploration and colonization (ECSEC) will be issued.
Who is it for? The course is aimed at engineers, biologists, geneticists, students and all those who want to become the pioneers in the most important research field to enable life in space. At the end of the course, the participants will learn how biotechnology can help life in space and the establishment of colonies on the Moon and Mars. They will know the secrets and their current and future applications for the benefit of humans.
The use of biotechnology to feed astronauts
The applications of space biotechnology are various. Its developments are multiple and may have important repercussions also in the near future. We think about how important it is to guarantee the survival of astronauts with proper nutrition. To integrate pre-packaged food rations and guarantee an adequate nutritional intake, highly innovative bio-regenerative technologies will be indispensable for growing fresh food and vegetables. Agrotechnological research has led to the formulation of several prototype units of cultivation in a confined environment. The results of these experiments can be adapted as a solution for quality agricultural production in cities and in climatically extreme environments.
Space biotechnology and reuse of waste
Reuse of waste is another key element to consider for long-duration space missions. The challenge is to reconstruct space “techno-ecosystems” for the optimal recycling of resources and energy. Again, thanks to biotechnological knowledge, it is possible to create artificially controlled ecosystems, based on the interaction between humans, higher plants and other organisms, in which each biological component uses the waste products of the metabolism of others as a resource. The recycling and reuse of any type of residue is a particularly stringent concept in a space environment, where exchanges with the outside are almost non-existent. It is also true throughout our lives, where the problem of overproduction of waste is there for all to see. The solutions studied could have a positive impact on our entire planet.
Space biotechnology for the health of astronauts
Among the other aspects put to the test by a long stay in space, there is undoubtedly the health of the astronauts. Biotechnology will play a key role in safeguarding the lives of astronauts. It will not always be enough to treat organs and tissues but in some cases, it will be necessary to rebuild them. This scenario includes frontier areas of biotechnology such as regenerative medicine and bioprinting with great repercussions on terrestrial medicine.
Free Webinar, Space Biotechnology, move towards the boundaries of Life in Space