2007 VISION STATEMENT

The United States has the potential to conduct relatively prolonged manned space missions.  Many physiological changes have been identified and investigated during periods of weightlessness, and all body systems are influenced to some extent.  Microgravity's most notable influence on the human body is also the primary physiological deterrent to prolonged manned spaceflight: demineralization of bone and the body's loss of calcium.

Tekna qeou (TEKNA-THEOS Inc.) is a non-profit company formed and initially staffed by a teacher and students from the Orange Park Christian Academy, whose purpose is to design, build, test, and fly a novel bioreactor in space. This device is specifically designed for in vitro studies of mammalian cell cultures in microgravity or 1 G. Incorporated in 2002, TEKNA-THEOS Inc. has been received many grants and awards. In 2004 a prototype bioreactor was completed by TEKNA-THEOS Inc.’s primary subcontractor, Moseley Technical Services Inc. (MTSI). MTSI is a small engineering company that supports NASA flight programs based out of Marshall Space Flight Center. To date MTSI has had responsibility for eighteen small spaceflight payloads. The TTI Bioreactor will provide a mechanism to research bone metabolism and weightlessness. This research will contribute to the understanding of osteoporosis and other bone related disorders. As Americans increasingly live longer, better understanding is needed to combat post menopausal bone loss, bone atrophy, or other bone related diseases.

The mission statement of TEKNA-THEOS Inc. is “to better educate High School students through space related biochemical and engineering research.” To accomplish this, students participate in various space related competitions, and TTI’s corporate activities are divided into two basic categories: Research and Education. Research efforts center on the bioreactor, in which osteoblasts will be flown to evaluate potential chemical, electrical, or mechanical bone loss prevention protocols. TTI’s second generation research projects include a bioregeneration plant chamber for Mars-bound spacecraft, and a hypobaric chamber for the plant growth in less than one atmosphere. TTI’s educational efforts include experimental flights for teachers and students aboard Zero G Corporation aircraft, and modules for the Challenger Learning Center, and other educational products being developed for teachers. In 2004 TTI offered a private pilots’ ground school course, and from 2005 through 2007 TTI has conducted ‘AEROSPACE DAY events in Clay Duval, and Union Counties for thousands of students designed to inspire interest in manned space flight. TEKNA-THEOS Inc. continues to lobby Congress and the Florida Legislature on behalf of student space-related education. Upon graduation TTI students that choose to remain active can serve on TTI’s Board of Directors. TEKNA-THEOS Inc. seeks to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and doctors.