National Space Symposium looks to challenges ahead

The News: The National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs wrapped up Thursday night after three days of discussion about the future of space exploration and the space industry in all its guises: defense, intelligence, commercial space travel and space technology.

At Space.com, Debra Werner notes that “The space industry is facing enormous challenges because it is an extremely capital-intensive enterprise” in today’s capital-poor and risk-averse environment.

The Space 2.0 Connection: The mission of the 8th Continent Project is to maximize the return on investment that’s already been made in satellite constellations, intellectual property and R&D.

Several speakers bemoaned the decline in public interest in space since the heyday of the manned space program, The Denver Post’s Ann Schrader reports. Rekindling that excitement is critical to keep a competitive American workforce, panelists said.

The aerospace industry can attract “great people if we give them stimulating jobs,” said Mi chael Gass, chief executive of the United Launch Alliance, based in Centennial.

The next generation of aerospace workers has better tools coming in, Gass said, “and keeping them challenged will be the key.”

John Higginbotham, chief executive of Integral Systems Inc., expressed frustration with giving 70 percent of National Science Foundation STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) grants to foreign students.

“And under our immigration laws, we deport them within six months of graduation,” he said. “This is nuts, folks.”

Workforce development is one of 8th Continent’s key missions, and in coming months you’ll be hearing about expanded opportunities for technology education for students at Colorado four-year  and community colleges, all the way down to middle school through the Foundation for Space Exploration’s “That is SO Not True!” program to connect tech majors with younger students. Or check the 8th Continent Campus Network’s YouNoodle page.