Space Experts Invade Cache Valley August 11-14
The 22nd Annual Small Satellite Conference kicks off August 11–14, at Utah State University. This year’s focus is on the expanding business of small space and strategically advancing the business into a profitable industry.
“Every company has to come up with a business plan to determine profitability,” said Pat Patterson, chairman of the conference. “The small space industry is the same, so we need to develop our plan for success.”
Small satellites are part of a growing commerce; helping improve technology with a more economical cost. Raising money for research and development to advance the best products and the latest technology is one of the significant issues the space industry is facing. Patterson said with the cost of larger satellite missions and decreasing budgets, small satellites seem to be the best answer to staying in the space race.
Small space is not driven only by customers such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense or the ESA. The technology is used to improve everyday conveniences such as predicting the weather and talking on cell phones. For small satellites to truly advance, there must be investments from the private sector, Patterson said.
“For the private sector to invest, there has to be a business case with a clear path to a solid return on investment,” Patterson said.”The Small Sat Conference will discuss finding that path.”
Keynote speaker Carl A. Marchetto, president of ATK Space Systems, will address issues facing the industry today. Marchetto will discuss strengths that can catapult emerging technologies into mainstream aerospace business, as well as potential stumbling blocks. Issues from all market sectors — missions, satellites, launchers, and the consumers that may make the industry more technologically and monetarily beneficial — will be explored.
Additional events include the opening social sponsored by the Space Dynamics Laboratory and the 16th 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 aerospace companies.
The annual gathering provides a forum for the best minds in the small satellite community to review recent successes, explore new directions and introduce emerging technologies in small spacecraft development.
The conference offers comprehensive technical sessions and more than 60 top aerospace corporation exhibits for the nearly 900 attendees representing more than 20 countries. For more information about the conference, visit the Web site.
The 22nd Annual Small Satellite Conference kicks off August 11-14, at Utah State University. This year's focus is on the expanding business of small space and strategically advancing the business into a profitable industry.
Comments and questions regarding this article may be directed to the contact person listed on this page.
