“Innovators Must Clear Roadblocks to Launch Extraterrestrial Base Programs”
April 8, 2026In an op-ed published by Engineering News-Record (ENR), Marshall Gerstein Partner and Chair of the Industrial & Mechanical Technologies Practice Jonathan C. Hughley offers a unique look at what it will actually take to move from ambitious space missions to sustained human presence on the moon and beyond.
“For many years, breakthroughs have focused on improving life on Earth through better products, more intelligent systems, and faster processes, but as technology accelerates rapidly and ambitions extend beyond our earthly confines, the question is no longer if we can successfully innovate outside of the planet, but how,” Jonathan writes. “It is, therefore, critical to consider what roadblocks must be cleared by innovators to develop and implement successful technologies intended to be used in extraterrestrial environments as we all brace ourselves for what lies ahead.”
But the biggest challenges are not just technological breakthroughs. They are practical, operational, and deeply human.
“So, what happens when we develop settlements on the moon or elsewhere in outer space?” Jonathan asks. “Those first explorers will likely face many challenges that won’t be realized until they begin to establish their desired outposts. But we can already predict that the day-to-day creature comforts we enjoy on Earth won’t be possible in outer space, at least not precisely as we know them today.”
Jonathan discusses intellectual property’s role in innovation, and a peek at what truly innovative companies are already developing to make the space race one to watch.
Read his full article in ENR.