The landscape of human spaceflight is undergoing a monumental transformation. The title of "astronaut" is no longer exclusive to government-trained individuals navigating the stringent pathways of national space agencies. The dawn of the commercial space era has expanded and decentralized access to frontiers beyond Earth, opening doors for private citizens worldwide to embark on journeys once reserved for a select few.

The 1st Annual SOMA Astronaut Summit — titled Neo-Astronaut Foundries: Decentralizing Pathways to the Final Frontier — explored and illuminated these emerging avenues. This groundbreaking event convened industry pioneers, commercial astronauts, and thought leaders to discuss the shifting paradigm of space exploration.