Join Higher Orbits to learn about its latest initiatives to inspire the next generation of STEMists & Explorers with spaceflight. Leia Spaniak and Sophia Crowder will discuss their Go For Launch! experience, their pursuits in STEM, and student science in space.
Session Category: HUB SciTech 2022
Paper Airplane Contest
Create your paper airplane and aim for the bullseye for a chance to win a ticket to the Opening Reception! All attendees welcome and templates will be provided.
Building on the Shuttle Legacy
Join us for a rebroadcast of one of the most popular sessions from the 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum! Take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear from these leaders in human spaceflight.
Forty years ago NASA’s Space Shuttle Program began. It was NASA’s fourth program for human spaceflight, with a mission to provide routine transportation to low Earth orbit with a reusable vehicle. Thirty years and only 133 missions later, shuttle Discovery concluded the program, arguably without completing the original vision. Or did it? Over the 30 years there were successes and failures, but the technological advancement and inspiration were to be the foundation for the next generation of commercial spaceflight.
Consider 28 January 1986 when STS-51-L lifted off from pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center and 73 seconds later the Space Shuttle Challenger and her crew of seven were lost when a catastrophic structural failure occurred. The images from that day were burned into the memories of everyone watching and the moment was a turning point in our collective drive to explore space. Thirty-five years later, many of the people that watched that day are working to ensure the legacy and promise of the Challenger mission live on.
This conversation explores the impact Challenger, Columbia, and the overall Shuttle Program had on multiple generations of space explorers – what lessons have we learned, how has our outlook on human spaceflight evolved, why do the missions, specifically the Challenger crew, still resonate so strongly. Facilitated by veteran aerospace journalist Miles O’ Brien, the panel provides insights and stories that connect the dots to today’s human spaceflight outlook.
Meet the Author with Don Edberg
Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles: Interest is growing in space activity, and many new launchers are in development. The 2022 AIAA Summerfield Book Award winner Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles is a timely and comprehensive exposé of important concepts and applications, providing enhanced understanding and exposure to practical aspects of design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing. It answers many questions as to “why things are done this way.” Join Don for a brief HUB presentation followed by a book signing.
Aerospace America interview: Joby Aviation
Join Aerospace America associate editor Cat Hofacker for a Q&A with Tom Prevot, air taxi product lead at Joby, about the California eVTOL company’s efforts to begin air taxi passenger flights in 2024. Time will be reserved at the end for audience questions.
Fly Like a Girl Documentary Screening (with popcorn!)
Join us for a special screening of Fly Like a Girl. Fly Like A Girl is more than just a film. It’s a movement of young girls and women relentlessly pursuing their passion for aviation. A field currently dominated by men. Hearing first-hand stories from girls and women who dared to aim higher. From a lego-loving young girl who includes female pilots in her toy airplanes, to a courageous woman who helped lead shuttle missions to space, Fly Like A Girl shows us that women are in charge of their own destiny. Grab some popcorn, relax and enjoy!
Meet the Author with Daniel P. Raymer
Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach and RDSwin Student software
Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach presents the entire process of aircraft conceptual design—from requirements definition to initial sizing, configuration layout, analysis, sizing, optimization, and trade studies. Widely used in industry and government aircraft design groups, it also the design text at major universities around the world. A virtual encyclopedia of engineering, it is known for its completeness, easy-to-read style, and real-world approach to the process of design. The RDSwin Student software allows engineering students to take an aircraft design from first conceptual layout through functional analysis, leading to performance, range, weight, and cost results. By automating the “grunt work” of vehicle analysis, RDSwin Student makes time for the student to truly learn design. Stop by to see Dan demonstrate an aircraft design using his RDSwin Student software. He will also sign copies of his book Aircraft Design.
Higher Orbits Go For Launch! Student Program Update
Join Higher Orbits to learn about its latest initiatives to inspire the next generation of STEMists & Explorers with spaceflight. Abby Maltese and Claire Pickerel will discuss their Go For Launch! experience, their pursuits in STEM, and student science in space.
Emergent Capabilities in Unmanned Air Systems Design, Development, and Airspace Integration
Unmanned systems are proliferating globally, performing new roles, enabling new capabilities and expanding into new airspace. Digital acquisition paradigms are requiring modern design methods to responsively provide cost-effective designs. Airspace access is a key enabler for new roles and services performed by UAS, particularly in the commercial sphere, and both simulation and real world demonstrations are helping to expand that frontier. Come hear the latest about how General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is meeting their customers’ needs and then join them at their booth to discuss how you can collaborate.
Career Advice for Students and Early Career Engineering Professionals
Christopher Pestak, AIAA Fellow and Region IIIl Deputy Director of Education, provides useful advice and guidance for engineering students and professionals who are just beginning their career journey. He provides insights from his 39-year career as an engineer, group leader, project manager, program manager, and corporate executive. His lecture is best described as helpful, no-nonsense, and fun.