Recent advances in space exploration have brought the possibility of sustainable colonies on the Moon and Mars within reach. Space missions have already returned extraterrestrial rocks and soils to Earth, and future crewed missions will provide even greater access to off-world materials. Eventually, we may colonize plants on space. Among the tremendous diverse terrestrial species, some plants called hyperaccumulators not only survive on toxic soil but also accumulate heavy elements in their foliage, which offers a novel solution for extracting valuable elements from these extraterrestrial substrates. Phytomining is a biotechnological approach that employs hyperaccumulator plants to concentrate heavy metals and rare earth elements in their biomass and it holds particular promise for in situ resource utilization. These specialized plants absorb metals from the soil into their foliage, which can then be harvested and processed to recover the targeted elements. With modern biotechnology and genome editing tools, developing hyperaccumulators optimized to lunar or Martian soil is feasible. By cultivating hyperaccumulator species on lunar or Martian soil, it becomes possible to generate meaningful quantities of construction and industrial metals directly on site. Implementing phytomining on the Moon and Mars could reduce the need to transport raw materials from Earth, lower launch costs, and accelerate the development of local infrastructure. As we move toward establishing off-world settlements, integrating phytomining into extraterrestrial agriculture and resource-extraction strategies may prove critical for achieving long-term sustainability.

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.

Recent advances in chemical propulsion have brought a revolution in the ability to economically access near-Earth orbit. As the world turns its eye on returning to the Moon and then on to Mars, understanding the factors to overcome from a technical perspective of space propulsion is important. First, readers are provided with motivation for why sustained missions to Mars is not as simple as sending a rocket to the planet (but still a momentous step for humanity). Next, near-term technologies and their capabilities are discussed along merits and limitations. Finally, we are in one of those exciting inflection points of human exploration and some suggestions are provided on how we must continue enabling exploration through the lens of space propulsion technology maturation.

As the global space industry enters a new era of commercialization, private space companies have emerged as pivotal forces driving innovation, accessibility, and the future of space travel. This article explores the strategic visions, technological capabilities, historical launch milestones, and evolving business models of top two leading commercial space entities in 2025: SpaceX and Blue Origin. Each company is profiled with emphasis on leadership, mission design, propulsion and spacecraft systems, international collaborations, and contributions to the growth of space travel and orbital infrastructure. Key opportunities and challenges are assessed, including regulatory complexity, fuel innovation, and market segmentation. A comparative analysis highlights each company’s core strengths, space travel and tourism focus, technological differentiation, and future readiness. The synthesis reveals that while competition remains strong, cooperative ventures and public-private partnerships are critical to advancing sustainable space exploration. This comprehensive review serves as a resource for industry analysts, academic researchers, policymakers, and space enthusiasts interested in navigating the next phase of human presence in space.

Portions of the space industry are moving at light speed, with benefits for Earth, and for new innovations in industry, while in other areas there are shifts that need to occur. This editorial explores the transformational impact of space exploration on industry from the perspective of an industry expert for human spaceflight training and engineering. As such, advances that are possible in human spaceflight training and engineering are discussed, thereafter space engineering transformations with benefits to Earth, and last, industry transformations in a selection of sectors including healthcare, orbital downmass services, materials, law and finance, and space tourism. The author concludes with a discussion of our shared duty preparing for this future, extending from global contributions to the individual.

This issue weaves together interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainability, and ethical responsibility as the cornerstones of humanity’s spacefaring future. As editor, I rethink that diverse fields and sectors, alongside conscientious practices, must converge to ensure our ventures beyond Earth remain both innovative and responsible. I highlight five cutting-edge studies featured in this issue to exemplify this integrated approach: an experiment in phytomining demonstrates sustainable space resource utilization by using hyperaccumulator plants to extract metals from Martian and lunar regolith; a breakthrough in reusable suborbital research vehicles promises frequent, low-cost access to microgravity science; an analysis of private space enterprise underscores the impact of public–private partnerships in expanding our cosmic reach; exploration of advanced propulsion technologies reveals how faster, farther travel to Mars and beyond could transform interplanetary ambitions; and new methods in human spaceflight training emphasize safety, inclusivity, and astronaut well-being. Embracing this richly integrated tapestry will enable a thriving, sustainable, and ethically grounded future for humanity’s spacefaring endeavors—an approach as conscientious as it is ambitious.

As humanity stands on the brink of unprecedented expansion into space, the environmental implications of these activities demand urgent attention. Rocket launches and space operations impact Earth's atmospheric, marine, and terrestrial systems, releasing pollutants into the stratosphere, disrupting marine ecosystems, and encroaching upon biodiversity-rich habitats. The proliferation of orbital debris further endangers sustainable space access and critical Earth systems. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaborations, advancements in eco-friendly technologies, and the development of global governance frameworks. By integrating environmental stewardship into space exploration, we can ensure a balanced coexistence between innovation and ecological preservation. This vision sets the stage for a sustainable future in space and on Earth.

Recreational space travel is an emerging industry that is serving a growing number of travelers. These customers enjoy a unique experience that provides unsurpassed views of the planet Earth and a thrilling introduction to weightlessness. However, space also has effects on the human body that can be uncomfortable and may pose health risks. The current wave of recreational travelers has a broader age range, lower fitness levels, less-defined health status, and far less training than professional astronauts. Commercial firms are conducting a grand experiment in human physiology. Recreational travelers will broaden our understanding of human physiology in space and may identify new limits. We are indebted to recreational travelers for advancing the commercial space industry and expanding the body of knowledge on space physiology.

Space engineering and technology encompasses the leading-edge development of advanced engineering systems that push the frontiers of technology to allow humans to explore beyond the earth’s atmosphere and eventually the entire cosmos. First, the readers are provided with an introduction to the scope of space engineering and technology, and the history of space technology development. Next, the research and development areas of current interests and higher priorities are elaborated. Finally, some suggestions for future space and technology development are offered.