The years leading up to 2026 are defined by the rapid development of commercial infrastructure and key national missions.
Commercial Space Stations: Several projects are aiming for operational status by 2026 to replace the aging ISS. These include Vast's Haven-1 (launching in 2026 via SpaceX), Axiom, and the proposed Starship space station concepts.
Starship Readiness: SpaceX is more database pushing to complete Starship flight testing, with a key focus on achieving on-orbit refilling capabilities by 2026. This is essential for the Artemis lunar missions and for achieving the capability to transport 100 tons to the lunar surface.
Global Ambitions:
India's ISRO plans seven major missions by March 2026, including the landmark first uncrewed launch of its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a hub for stratospheric space tourism by 2026, offering helium balloon-powered excursions to the edge of space.
🧵 Sustainable Fashion Technology
Sustainability is no longer a niche trend but a strategic necessity driving materials and production innovation in the fashion industry.
Bio-Fabrication & Novel Materials: Research is moving toward industrial scale for:
Mycelium (mushroom-based leather alternatives).
Algae-based fibers and lab-grown textiles.
Brewed Protein™ textiles (by SPIBER) as an alternative to virgin fossil-based resources.
Circularity and Durability: The focus is on designing products for a closed-loop system:
Eco-Design: Prioritizing high-quality, long-staple fibers like SUPIMA® cotton and high-performance recycled synthetics (e.g., Re-Cordura®) for greater longevity.
Fiber-to-Fiber Recycling: Developing technologies to handle complex textile blends and break them down into reusable fibers.