UND to host Space Operations Summit, Space Ag Conference
Inaugural Space Operations Summit will feature retired NASA astronaut and Air Force Col. Paul Lockhart as keynote speaker
What: 2024 Space Operations Summit, and Space Ag Conference, events bringing together policymakers, academics and industry professionals who will help shape the future of the domain.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 a.m. (Space Operations Summit), and Thursday, Oct 24 (Space Ag). Refer to Grand Farm’s website for further updates and an agenda for Space Ag.
Where: UND’s Memorial Union.
Background: This coming October, UND will hold its inaugural Space Operations Summit, an event featuring speeches and networking opportunities from individuals representing the defense community, academia and the private sector. Expected discussion topics include space traffic management, space law and policy, innovation and entrepreneurship and NASA’s Artemis Program.
Following welcoming remarks from UND President Andrew Armacost, the summit’s keynote address will be delivered by Paul Lockhart, retired U.S. Air Force Col. and NASA astronaut, who is a veteran of two space shuttle missions. He is the recipient of two NASA Space Flight Medals and one NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
Since retiring from the Air Force in 2006, Lockhart has served as a consultant for NASA and the defense community, including developing and testing a new class of atmospheric uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), for use by the Army Special Operations Command.
Other scheduled speakers include;
- Pablo De Leon, department chair and professor of Space Studies.
- Timothy A. Monroe, commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
- Sherry Fieber-Beyer, assistant professor of Space Studies.
- Keith Crisman, assistant professor of Space Studies.
- Ryan Adams, associate dean of national security, and professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
- Mark Askelson, associate vice president for research-national security.
- Col. Michael Stobie, commander of the 10th Space Warning Squadron at Cavalier Space Force Station.
- One of North Dakota’s two U.S. Senators.
The fourth annual Space Ag Conference — organized by Grand Farm — will feature discussion on topics including sustainable farming, food security, increasing crop yields and the potential for permanent human settlement on the moon.
Media Contact: Joe Banish, joseph.banish@UND.edu, 701.777.6863
