Small Satellite Conference Celebrates 20 Years

The international small satellite community will gather at the 20th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites held at Utah State University Aug. 14-17. The conference theme is “Where we’ve been, Where we’re going.”

“Our 2006 Conference will focus on the things that have led us to where we are today, as well as where we should be focused if we want to be successful twenty years from now,” said Pat Patterson, conference chairman.

 

Patterson explained that from launch vehicles to attitude control sensors, advances have been made that now enable a host of missions that were unimagined 20 years ago. Even with these advances, the industry still faces challenges every day.

 

“From our first conference nearly two decades ago, we have explored the state of technology and debated the efficacy of small tactical satellites in support of the warfighter,” said Bob Meurer, technical chairman. “The recent emphasis on Operationally Responsive Space missions based on smaller satellites has become a key aspect of our conference and a focus for this year”

 

The Conference will host three esteemed speakers. The week will kick off Monday, Aug. 14, with Michael Griffin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. As Administrator, he leads the NASA team and manages its resources to advance the United States vision for space exploration. Tuesday, Aug. 15, the featured speaker is General Lance W. Lord who recently retired after 40 years in the U.S. Air Force. General Lord’s most recent post was as the commander for Air Force Space Command. As commander, he was responsible for the development, acquisition and operation of the Air Force's space and missile systems. Representing the international community is Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general for the European Space Agency (ESA). Dordain is an industry veteran having worked as a scientist, professor and administrator, including work in the French and Japanese space agencies.

 

Additional events include the opening social sponsored by the Space Dynamics Laboratory and the 14th Annual Frank J. Redd Student Scholarship Competition. Each year undergraduate and graduate engineering students present technical papers to compete for approximately $30,000 in scholarship funds donated by individuals and participating aerospace firms.

 

Local hotels will be filled as more than 800 attendees and exhibitors come to Cache Valley for the week-long conference. Approximately 20 countries are represented at the Small Satellite Conference. The Conference features a technical program and exhibition.

 

For more information, visit the Web site.

 

Contact: Sonya Warner, (435) 797-4783 or (435) 757-4425