SRRC unites scientists, technologists, ethicists, and policymakers to develop the global research roadmap for human conception, pregnancy, and birth in space.
The Space Reproduction Roadmap Consortium (SRRC) unites scientists, technologists, ethicists, and policymakers around a single goal: developing the global research roadmap for human conception, pregnancy, and birth in space.
Humanity is transitioning toward a multiplanetary future, driven by rapid advances in commercial spaceflight ("New Space"). Yet the fundamental necessity of human reproduction beyond Earth remains vastly underexplored. SRRC exists to address this critical knowledge gap. It works through a coordinated, community-led strategic framework, focused initially on the foundational gamete-to-birth stages and evolving toward the full germline-to-grave continuum.
The consortium's central task is to draft a multi-decade research roadmap, step by step. Human reproduction beyond Earth spans many fields that today advance in isolation. A shared roadmap connects that work and gives it a common reference point, so priorities can be defined and agreed on gradually rather than piecemeal.
To build that consensus, SRRC organizes symposia around the roadmap and its building blocks. The current online event opens a four-to-five-year symposium series that will gradually define the multi-decade roadmap. Each symposium produces a whitepaper and a press release. The series brings together researchers in reproductive and space life sciences, along with ethicists and specialists in space technology, geopolitics, and law, from around the world. Its long-term aim is that space reproduction becomes a feasible frontier for generations to come.
Four concrete milestones since the launch of the consortium, building the foundation for the multi-decade roadmap.
On Sept. 26th & 28th 2025 we organized the Symposium for the Study of Human Reproduction in Space. It was an invitation-only event with valuable expert contributors. This first symposium identified primary challenges within different domains with a focus on discussions and collaborative workshops. The start of an ongoing collaboration with a platform for dialogue and research.
Currently we are finalizing a whitepaper that will be based on the outcomes of the symposium. The whitepapers are peer reviewed, used for scientific publications and available on this page shortly. The first paper will be promoted in an international press release in Q1 2026.
The Space Reproduction Roadmap Consortium (SRRC) is established to initiate and coordinate the roadmap development and organizing of the symposia. An integrated effort is imperative to accelerate progress and cohesion. SRRC will reach out to additional research partners and governing bodies to enrich the initial group of partner organizations.
The roadmap defines research elements with specific timeline and budget. Draft building blocks mature during following symposia, expanding from foundational germline and early-embryonic stages outward to the full reproductive cycle.
The consortium recognizes and strongly supports the important work already being undertaken across space biosciences, reproductive biology, astronaut health and women's health research.
Many existing initiatives focus on understanding how spaceflight conditions such as microgravity, radiation and other environmental factors affect reproductive function, fertility and long-term health. This research is essential for protecting astronauts and future space travelers and provides valuable knowledge for the broader field.
SRRC has a complementary, but distinct, objective. Rather than focusing on a single biological mechanism, technology or risk factor, the consortium seeks to identify the full range of scientific, technological, medical, ethical, governance and implementation challenges that must ultimately be addressed to enable safe human reproduction beyond Earth.
In this sense, SRRC does not seek to replace or compete with existing initiatives. Instead, it aims to help connect and coordinate knowledge across currently fragmented disciplines, creating a long-term roadmap that can guide future research, technology development and international collaboration.
SRRC believes progress toward this goal will depend on contributions from many organizations and research groups. Important advances are already being made in areas such as reproductive health in space, fertility preservation, embryo research, space medicine and reproductive biotechnology. While these initiatives often address different questions and objectives, the knowledge they generate is highly relevant to the long-term challenge of safeguarding humanity's ability to reproduce beyond Earth. SRRC seeks to provide a framework through which these diverse insights can be integrated into a coherent long-term vision and research roadmap for enabling safe human reproduction in space.
SpaceBorn United initiated the symposium series and consortium formation process following repeated requests from stakeholders across the space life sciences sector. As the roadmap develops, the intention is for governance and stewardship to transition toward a broader and more independent international framework involving scientific, non-profit and multilateral participation, aligned with organizations such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
The current coordinating role of SpaceBorn United is intended as a temporary facilitating function during the consortium formation phase. A transition toward more mature and independent governance structures is anticipated within the next 1,2 years, after which SpaceBorn United is expected to remain involved primarily as a contributing research and technology partner.
The primary objective of the consortium is the development of a long-term international research roadmap for human reproduction beyond Earth. However, the process of identifying research priorities, technological requirements, governance frameworks and implementation pathways is also expected to contribute to the emergence of a broader interdisciplinary field.
Over time, the roadmap aims to connect researchers, space agencies, technology developers, healthcare innovators, industry partners and other stakeholders around shared challenges and opportunities. As the field matures, the consortium itself may evolve into a long-term collaborative platform supporting knowledge exchange, partnership development and implementation activities across the emerging ecosystem.
While the precise structure of this future ecosystem remains to be defined, the consortium is intended to provide a foundation upon which future research programs, technology initiatives, partnerships and other implementation efforts can be built.
In doing so, SRRC seeks to help establish and advance Reproductive Medicine in Space as a distinct research domain within the broader Space Biosciences sector. As the field develops, the resulting knowledge base, technologies and implementation pathways may support the emergence of a dedicated ecosystem spanning academia, industry, healthcare, government and non-profit stakeholders.
The roadmap is intentionally iterative. Symposium 2 in 2026 will further refine and expand the roadmap framework, translating initial priorities into more mature research domains and collaborative roadmap building blocks.
For experts in reproductive biology, space technology, bioethics, law and geopolitics. Bring your discipline into the next iteration of the roadmap, we’re convening Symposium 2 in 2026.
For universities, research institutes, clinics, agencies and aerospace organizations interested in contributing to the roadmap. Open to early conversations on scope, alignment and possible forms of collaboration.