Maine Space Conference Prepares for Liftoff
- September 10, 2024
The three-day event is focused on building relationships and includes a lineup of aerospace experts from around the world
The Maine Space Conference announced today that it has secured the final keynote speakers and locked in a total of 24 panel discussions for Maine’s second inaugural conference taking place October 23-25, 2024 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine. This year’s conference builds upon the success of last year’s sellout event; includes a pitch competition; and features a distinguished lineup of nationally recognized keynote speakers who will explore expanding opportunities for Maine’s growing space sector. The conference theme – Building Relationships – is designed to provide a unique opportunity for participants to deepen connections with industry partners and the investment community from inside and outside of Maine.
“With over 320 participants in a sold-out event, last year’s conference was an unequivocal success,” noted Terry Shehata,
Executive Director of the Maine Space Grant Consortium. “This year – with an outstanding roster of keynote speakers and a robust lineup of breakout sessions – it promises to be even more compelling.”
“Last year we showcased the state’s capacity to develop next-generation resources for data-rich industries,” Shehata continued. “This year, we will further Maine’s conviction for becoming a national space player.”
Conference to Offer 24 Sessions Over Three Days
The conference includes a multi-day agenda that will offer a slate of 24 sessions exploring six key topic areas. The range of topics includes investment and finance; sustainability and infrastructure; education and workforce development; research and data; national security; and Maine’s emergent aerospace industry.
Groups participating include industry leaders from NASA, COSMIC, Aerospace Corporation, Global Space Alliance, Washington Compact, and a number of universities from around the country. In addition to highlighting major space-related activities that have broad implications in Maine, the conference will showcase space-related actions already underway at Loring Commerce Centre, Brunswick Landing, and within higher education and K-12 institutions in New England.
Industry Aerospace Leaders Secured as Keynote Speakers
The lineup of keynote speakers includes some of aerospace’s best known thought leaders, including:
Steven H. Platts: Chief Scientist-Human Research Program, NASA. In 2003, Dr. Platts joined Johnson Space Center as a senior scientist in the Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory and later became laboratory director. While in the lab he led many experiments, including those on the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Bed rest, parabolic flight, etc. In 2013, Dr. Platts moved into the role of Increment Scientist, and later Element Scientist for ISS Medical Projects element. In 2018 he joined the HRP leadership as Deputy Chief Scientist. Steve currently serves as Chief Scientist for the Human Research Program.
Christina Korp: Founder of SPACE For a Better World, President of Purpose Entertainment, and affectionately known as the “Astronaut Wrangler.” Korp leverages her extensive experience in the space industry to educate others on how space exploration benefits life on Earth. Passionate about inclusivity and diversity, Korp continues to inspire and manage astronauts while producing impactful space-themed projects and events worldwide.
Greg Richardson: Principal Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation, where he serves as the Executive Director of the Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC). Richardson is currently leading several Aerospace efforts in In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM); Space Access, Mobility, and Logistics (SAML), and Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO). He provides support to multiple government customers on in-space servicing, RPO, cluster flight, spacecraft autonomy, and design of advanced mission concepts.
Dr. James Beletic: Chief Science Officer at Teledyne Space Imaging. Dr. Beletic has been part of the Teledyne team for over 20 years. He was previously the President of Teledyne Imaging Sensors, whose world leading sensors are operating in instrumentation at every major ground-based telescope, including the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Pluto New Horizons, OSIRIS-REx, and weather satellites such as the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. The next generation of infrared space astronomy missions (Euclid, Roman Space Telescope, SPHEREx, NEO Surveyor, ARIEL) are all made possible by Teledyne’s imaging sensors.
Lieutenant General Shawn N. Bratton: Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements, United States Space Force, Arlington, Virginia. As Chief Strategy and Resourcing Officer, Lt. Gen. Bratton has overall responsibility for the strategies, requirements, and budget of the United States Space Force. Prior to this assignment, Lt. Gen. Bratton served as the first Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command.
Michelle Hanlon: Executive Director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Law, the world’s oldest journal focused on legal issues in outer space. She is also the co-founder of For All Moonkind Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preserving human cultural heritage in space. Hanlon has extensively written on critical topics such as orbital debris remediation, space solar power, small satellite constellations, and environmental considerations in space. In 2023, she was awarded ‘Space Activist of the Year’ by the National Space Society.
Pitch Competition to Highlight Space Innovators
This year’s conference also includes a pitch competition designed to attract groundbreaking and innovative ideas. Whether you’re a student, researcher, entrepreneur, or a business with a groundbreaking idea, the pitch competition is an opportunity to be part of Maine’s rapidly growing space economy. The evening will be moderated by Meredith “Rocket Girl” Garofalo, an award winning meteorologist and space/science correspondent. Winning contestants will be honored at a dinner at Halo on Thompson’s Point, where cash prizes between $2,500 – $10,000 will be awarded.
Alongside the pitch competition awards, the evening will feature a 30-minute demonstration about measuring the properties of light from Dr. James Beletic, Chief Scientific Officer at Teledyne Digital Imaging.
Conference organizers are looking for ideas that align with the new space value chain embodied in the Maine Space Complex. Innovations could lead to products and services that help Maine’s industries or address concerns, such as environmental impacts and climate change. For more information on the competition and application process, including eligibility, click here.
Aerospace Gaining Traction in Maine
With more than 85 aerospace companies already operating in Maine, and a polar orbit geographical advantage, the state is well situated as a hub for the NewSpace industry, particularly as it relates to the small rocket and nanosatellite markets. However, to succeed, Maine must recruit more space-related businesses; build upon the research and development and educational capabilities in the state’s institutions of higher education; and build a pipeline of students and workers.
“Maine has a brilliant future in space,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a June 2023 visit to Brunswick, Maine. “You’ve got a lot of entrepreneurs here who are ready to go.”
Maine aerospace leaders celebrated on July 4, 2024, when Firefly Aerospace placed eight cubesats into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, including one satellite developed by students and faculty from the University of Maine. The Maine team designed, built and tested components for the small satellite – called MESAT1 – in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine and three K-12 schools. The project was made possible with funding from NASA and Maine Space Grant Consortium.
The Space Economy to Span the State
The Maine Space Complex consists of three core business units that will span several geographic locations around the state. In order of priority, the units include a space data and advanced analytics center, which could be located anywhere in Maine due to its virtual nature; a new space innovation hub, which would be located at Brunswick Landing with a spoke at Loring Commerce Centre; and a launch and services unit, which would consist of staging areas and vertical and horizontal launch sites for sending small satellites into polar orbit from Brunswick Landing, Loring Commerce Centre, and Washington County.
Maine Space 2024 – Conference Details
What: Annual Maine Space Conference
When: October 23-25, 2024
Where: Holiday Inn by the Bay, downtown Portland, Maine.
Registration/Details: Registration for the Maine Space Conference is now open.
For more information and to register, click here.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Conference organizers have been excited to build upon last year’s success. This year the conference includes title sponsor Spirit AeroSystems. Gold sponsors include: Teledyne Technologies, University of Maine System, IEEE Maine Section, Maine Department of Economic & Community Development, and Merrick. Additional sponsors can be found here.