This week brings exciting news from both the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and NASA. CU Boulder is hosting a startup showcase in Denver to foster connections between the university and the wider community during Colorado Startup Week. Meanwhile, NASA is gearing up for the launch of its Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, scheduled for September 23rd.
CU Boulder's Startup Showcase
CU Boulder is inviting entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders to a showcase event in Denver. The event, taking place on Monday, aims to bridge the gap between campus and community. Ashley Tillman, the event organizer, emphasizes the importance of these connections for driving breakthrough changes in areas like healthcare and deep tech.
The showcase will feature over 50 innovators and entrepreneurs, offering attendees the opportunity to network and learn about new ventures. The event will also include a keynote session with founders and a happy hour for further networking.
Justin Whiteley, CEO and co-founder of Kioga, a CU Boulder startup focused on metabolic health solutions, will be showcasing his company at the event. He looks forward to raising awareness about Kioga's work and leveraging the event for exposure.
NASA's IMAP Mission: Exploring the Solar System's Boundaries
SpaceX is preparing to launch NASA's IMAP mission on September 23rd. The mission aims to study the sun's influence throughout the solar system, from Earth's atmosphere to the edge of interstellar space. A Falcon 9 rocket will carry IMAP, along with the Space Weather Follow-on (SWFO-L1) spacecraft and NASA's Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, to the Earth-sun Lagrange Point-1 (L1).
IMAP will map the outer boundary of the heliosphere, the vast magnetic bubble surrounding our solar system. Its instruments will measure solar wind, interstellar dust, and charged particles, providing continuous solar weather monitoring. This mission is crucial for understanding the Earth-sun relationship and providing advanced warning of dangerous radiation storms.
Adding to the excitement, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering free child admission this month as part of Future Voyagers Month, inspiring the next generation of space explorers. Also, the ISS astronauts are preparing for a fresh batch of supplies.