Editor's note: The city of Houston has space on its mind. July 20 is the 50th anniversary of NASA's moon landing mission, and the month, deemed Space City Month, is taking over the town. While it is a time so honor the 50-year-old event, it's also a chance to look forward to innovative space technologies and opportunities. This week's top stories reflect some of the space coverage InnovationMap has began this month, and these story seemed to spark some interest from readers.
Here's what you should look out for in Houston during Space City Month
Houston is celebrating 50 years since the Apollo moon landing. Here are somethings you can expect to see in Houston during Space City Month. Photo via NASA.gov
Fifty years ago, NASA sent a crew of astronauts to the moon and back while a team controlled the mission from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.In honor of this history-making experience, the Space City is playing host to Space City Month this July, and it's a time to recognize the science and sacrifice it took to put man on the moon, as well as look forward to the future of NASA and space exploration. Click here to continue reading the story.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
These three entrepreneurs saw a need in their industries and created their own solutions. Photos courtesyA true innovator is someone who's able to look past how something has been done for years — decades even — and be creative enough to find a better way to do it.
From redesigning conventional lab space to seeing a niche opportunity for luxury home rentals, these three innovators to know this week have made strides in changing the game. Click here to continue reading the story.
UK-based smart home products company focuses on Houston growth
United Kingdom-based smart technology company, Hive, chose Houston as the city to grow its United States presence. Photo courtesy of Hive
Hive, a smart product company with headquarters in the United Kingdom, has zoned in on Houston for growth in the United States. Drawn to the city's diverse population and tech growth, the company also has a preexisting connection to Direct Energy, which has a large footprint in Houston.
The two companies are connected under the umbrella of parent company Centrica, which is also based in the U.K. Most recently, the company appointed Leah Barton as North American Commercial Director to serve in the Houston office as of June 2019.
Barton tells InnovationMap that she feels Houston is increasingly becoming an innovation hub. Click here to continue reading the story.
Rice University's Space Institute director on the future of exploration, development, and the role Houston will play in space
David Alexander of the Rice University Space Institute says Houston's past accomplishments in space aren't all the Space City has to offer. Photo courtesy of Rice University
While the city is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo mission that got man to the moon, this month should also be about looking forward to the Space City's future.
From commercial space travel momentum to upcoming governmental projects, there's a lot in the works for space, and Houston will play a big role in both sides of the equation, says David Alexander, director of the Rice University Space Institute.
"In Houston, we tend to think of space as a destination, but it really is a resource," he says. "And we need to be thinking about it as a resource." Click here to continue reading the story.
Houston takes flight at Paris Air Show just in time for Space City Month
A delegation from Houston consisting of former astronauts, aircraft experts, and local leaders were invited to the Paris Air Show to represent the Space City. Photo courtesy of the Greater Houston PartnershipAs we move closer to the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 in mid-July, eyes around the world are turning to the United States and to Houston's NASA Johnson Space Center in celebration of the historic mission that first brought mankind to the moon. Thanks to that unprecedented interest, Houston was asked to be a featured partner of the USA Partnership Pavilion at the Paris Air Show last month.
Drawing nearly 2,500 exhibitors from 49 countries and more than 316,000 total visitors, the Paris Air Show continues to be the world's premier aerospace and aviation industry event. Houston's historic achievements set the stage to showcase how the region continues to be a global hub for technology and innovation. Click here to continue reading the story.