Spanning two days, the 5th annual Space Education and Strategic Applications (SESA) conference brought together some of the most brilliant minds in space studies. SESA organizers truly created the “space” (pun intended) for sharing and exploring the latest updates, breakthroughs, discoveries, and, of course, the boundless opportunities that space education offers.
SESA 2024, hosted by American Public University System (APUS) in partnership with the Policy Studies Organization (PSO), saw an incredible lineup of keynote speakers. Astronaut and artist Dr. Sian Proctor (read an in-depth article about her presentation) led the conference on day one, followed by a day-two lineup of highly distinguished University alumni:
- Chief Master Sergeant John F. Bentivegna of the U.S. Space Force
- Carl Starr, the Mission Operations Team Leader for the James Webb Telescope and University instructor
Additionally, the conference included an impressive lineup of presenters including University faculty and students, as well as other space community leaders, innovators, and scientists. (View the full list of presenters.)
SESA’s Focus on The Next Generation of Space Explorers
Every year, SESA focuses on different aspects of space exploration and education. This year’s event was no different – inspiring and informing the next wave of explorers by highlighting the critical role that education, innovation, and collaboration have in advancing space science.
Attendees included an eighth-grade class of students, seasoned professionals at the pinnacle of their career, and everyone in between – all eager to learn how to be a part of the exciting future of space science.
There was something for everyone – whether it was a deeper dive into responsible exploration, the commercialization of space, or a closer look at the educational pathways available in space studies.
President Fernandes Opens with Vision
APUS President Nuno Fernandes set the tone for the conference with an enthusiastic and inspiring welcome message.
He emphasized APUS’ important and unique role in shaping the future of space education, its critical influence on space exploration, and, in turn, how the University aims to prepare the next generation of explorers, innovators, and leaders.
President Fernandes also highlighted the university’s commitment to innovation, diversity, accessibility, and cutting-edge learning opportunities. His vision underscored the University’s dedication to advancing education in space sciences, with the goal that students and faculty are setting the pace in this groundbreaking field.
From Artist to Astronaut: Dr. Sian Proctor’s Keynote
Opening day one of the conference with an electrifying keynote, Dr. Sian Proctor shared her deeply personal journey from a geoscientist and teacher to a commercial astronaut. Proctor, who made history as the pilot of SpaceX’s Inspiration4 – the first all-civilian mission to orbit – captivated the audience by reflecting on her experiences of persistence and self-discovery.
“I was born in Guam because my father worked for NASA during the Apollo missions,” she began, emphasizing the deep connection to space that had shaped her since childhood. Proctor’s speech touched on the importance of lifelong learning and creativity, as she explained how art became her medium to inspire others.
“We are striving for a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive space – a JEDI space,” she told attendees, borrowing the Star Wars term to illustrate her vision for a future where everyone has a place in the stars.
Dr. Proctor’s talk was much more than recounting her journey, she also used it as a call to action. She encouraged everyone – whether established professionals or students – to use their unique strengths and passions to inspire others.
Chief Master Sergeant John F. Bentivegna: Leadership in Space and Service
Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) John F. Bentivegna, a distinguished alumnus of AMU and the highest-ranking enlisted leader in the U.S. Space Force, opened his keynote with gratitude and humility.
He shared, “I’m just a little kid from Jersey City, New Jersey. To be honest with you, I thought I’d do four years in the Air Force and go back home to work as a firefighter or police officer.”
Instead, CMSgt Bentivegna described how his military service transformed into a lifelong commitment, eventually leading him to become the most senior enlisted leaders in the Space Force.
His keynote delved into the critical importance of space as an operational domain. Chief Master Sergeant Bentivegna stressed that space is no longer a peaceful frontier.
“Access to and use of space is a vital national interest,” he said, pointing out growing threats from nations like China and Russia, which view space as a domain for future warfare. He cited specific examples of their activities, including China’s destruction of a satellite in 2007 and Russia’s anti-satellite missile tests.
Despite these challenges currently brewing, CMSgt Bentivegna maintained a forward-looking vision, stressing the essential role education has in preparing the next generation of space leaders.
“As we gather here today, we are united by a shared vision to build a future where space is accessible, sustainable, and beneficial to all of humanity,” he said. “Together, we can build a future where the cosmos is not just a destination, but a new frontier for human innovation, discovery, and cooperation.”
Carl Starr: The Next Era of Space Innovation
The final keynote speaker was Carl Starr whose keynote also captivated conference attendees. Starr shared stories from his career in space operations, his involvement with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and his experiences as an APUS instructor and alumnus.
Starr began by sharing how he used to stargaze in a New Mexico alfalfa field as a child. The splendor he saw ignited his lifelong passion for space. He shared details of his role as the mission operations manager for JWST, where he participated in a 20-year-long journey of preparation and helped oversee the telescope’s historic launch, for which he received a NASA medal.
Starr broke his talk into three core aspects of space: commercial, military, and scientific. For each aspect, he presented videos and insights about the evolving industries, from private companies like SpaceX to the rising importance of cybersecurity and military reliance on satellites. He also reiterated how APUS’ programs prepare students to thrive in space science roles, citing the university’s comprehensive courses as gateways into careers in space exploration and operations.
Throughout his keynote, Starr offered a unique blend of personal stories, technical expertise, and engaging visuals. He punctuated his presentation with never-before-seen JWST images provided by Dr. Jane Rigby, showcasing groundbreaking discoveries such as galaxies from 13 billion years ago and the intricate beauty of supernova remnants like Cassiopeia A.
APUS Students Leading the Way
One of the most highly anticipated portions of the SESA 2024 conference was the student poster presentations. During this portion of the conference, APUS students showcased their research projects, which underscored the University’s commitment to hands-on, innovative space science education.
The value and purpose of SESA was truly on display during this session – with projects spanning exoplanet detection, space debris mitigation, sustainable space travel, and more. Each student contributed a unique perspective, advancing the broader conversation about how humans explore and protect space.
Some of the projects presented were:
APUS faculty, Michael Zeilnhofer, who shared his research on the asteroid Vesta – the second largest asteroid in the asteroid belt. His research focused on analyzing impact craters to better understand the asteroid’s surface. Michael explained how he’s using specialized software to study craters as small as 0.5 kilometers (.31 miles), building on data from the Dawn spacecraft. His work looks at how these craters reveal information about Vesta’s geologic history.
APU graduate student, Jason Kassay, presented his study of Pluto’s atmosphere. Jason discussed how gases like nitrogen and methane freeze and vaporize due to Pluto’s extreme seasons. Jason compared Pluto’s atmosphere to a comet’s by highlighting the complex layers of haze that form as a result of the planet’s unique orbit and distance from the Sun.
Eoin Dove shared insights into the challenges and breakthroughs of his and fellow grad student, Bridget Kimsey’s, exoplanet research as part of the APUS Exoplanet Research Group. Eoin and his team conduct their work remotely, utilizing telescopes in West Virginia and Utah to observe distant stars. The students’ research focuses on discovering exoplanets by monitoring how starlight dims when planets pass in front of their host stars.
Other presentations included Louise Gonzalez’s research on innovative tools and suits for space missions and Sherry Curtis’ work on health risks in missions to Mars.
SESA’s Lasting Message: Education is the Gateway to the Stars
The 5th annual SESA conference was a reminder that space exploration is much more than rockets, satellites, and supernovas. For us earthlings, SESA is a reminder that space exploration must be supported by space education.
SESA serves as a powerful reminder of the boundless curiosity and resolve of the human spirit to boldly go where no one has gone before. The conference proves that we not only dream of reaching distant stars but also work collectively to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to make those dreams a reality. By committing to space education, we collectively lay the foundation for a more sustainable future – one where humanity can traverse the interstellar highways between red giants and white dwarfs.
The lessons learned and the questions posed at this conference urge us to embrace the challenges of space not as obstacles, but as opportunities to unite and thrive. With inspiring stories from keynote speakers like Dr. Sian Proctor, Carl Starr, and Chief Master Sergeant John F. Bentivegna, alongside the passionate research of APUS faculty and students, the event highlighted the profound role education plays in this evolving field. As APUS continues to be an innovator and trendsetter in space education, it’s clear that the sky is no longer the limit – it’s just the beginning.
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