Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s ASTRA Space Workshop featured a variety of researchers, industry professionals and government policymakers exploring the connections between artificial intelligence, robotics, technology and policy in the space industry.

“No one discipline owns the future of space innovation,” said Dr. Melissa Patton, founder and CEO of Space Grove Ventures, a firm that connects companies, investors, academia and government to commercial opportunities in space and defense.

 “There are so many opportunities out there and different, diverse disciplines — so we’ve got to bring everyone together,” said Patton, who served as the opening speaker of the conference.

Held at the university’s Daytona Beach Campus, the two-day event was organized by the university’s XDLab Space Research Laboratory and Space Robotics and Generative Estimation (SRGE) Lab. Dr. Di Wu, an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering,  leads the XDLab, while Dr. Cagri Kilic, also an Aerospace Engineering assistant professor, heads the SRGE Lab.

XDLab student researchers Kyah Adams, who is pursuing a master's degree in Space Operations and Tyler Barr, an undergraduate Aerospace Engineering student, spearheaded ASTRA. Their goal was to provide an interdisciplinary forum that examined a variety of space topics, from AI and technology to commercial space startups and policy.

“There is gap between a lot of those disciplines, and we hope this workshop connects those and unites our knowledge together for the future of innovation in space technology,” Barr said.

The event’s first day focused on intelligent systems, orbital operations and the space economy, while the second day highlighted robotics, responsible innovation and resilient space operations. Panelists included university researchers and representatives from a variety of space-related companies, government agencies and other organizations.

Joseph Costello, a senior Space Operations student, said he attended ASTRA for networking opportunities and to hear more about how AI is being applied in the space industry.

Carmella Arnone, a sophomore Aerospace Physiology student, agreed that it was important to keep updated on innovations in the aerospace industry.

“It’s also really interesting to network with all these aerospace professionals and get a better sense of where you want to be,” Arnone said.

At the event’s Student Research Showcase, Alden Rowlyk, a junior Mechanical Engineering student, presented a poster on his research designing a rover for planetary exploration.

"It’s helped me refine my 3D manufacturing and modeling capabilities,” Rowlyk said.  

Three students stand in front of a poster on robotics research
Alden Rowlyk, an undergraduate student researcher in Embry-Riddle’s Space Robotics and Generative Estimation Lab, explains his work to engineering students Liam Knight and Uriah Wilson. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Melanie Stawicki Azam)

Burt Dicht, managing director of membership at the National Space Society at Kennedy Space Center, discussed the different career paths in the space industry, from engineering and business to law and policy. He said the industry needs employees with both technical and communication skills.

“We need all this emerging talent if we’re going to succeed,” said Dicht, a speaker for a session focused on building the future aerospace workforce.

Dr. Sierra Pollard, who is director of the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, spoke about leadership, curiosity and the next era of space. She spent five years at the University of Florida as a professor and director of the Innovating 4 Space (i4S) program, which focused on using cross-disciplinary teams to work on industry challenges.

“We have to be willing to understand and listen to each other,” Pollard said.

The event’s sponsors and partners included the College of Engineering, the Department of Aerospace Engineering, the City of Daytona Beach and Star Catcher.