It is Time for Researchers to Put Reusable Sub-orbital to Work

Abstract

Since 2021, a new era of human-tended suborbital spaceflight research has emerged, marked by pioneering missions using reusable commercial spacecraft.  Milestones include hand-held biology experiments by the University of Florida, human-factors studies by the Italian military, and NASA-selected large-scale fluid physics research.  These missions demonstrate the advantages of suborbital platforms: gentler vibrations, lower g-forces, cost-effectiveness, and reusable payloads.  Beyond scientific returns, suborbital research fosters STEM workforce development and public engagement. With increasing accessibility, researchers globally are now empowered to perform hands-on science in space, advancing disciplines from fluid dynamics to astronomy in a rapidly expanding commercial microgravity research frontier.

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