Undergraduate researchers get important professional development opportunities
During the spring semester, two students in the Interplanetary Initiative Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, (IIURSP), working with Dr. Eric Stribling on the Interplanetary Initiative pilot project, Space Exploration and Sustainable Development, were invited to attend an event in Washington, D.C. called the Responsible Space Nexus. This event was a collaborative effort led by BSR, a sustainable business network and consultancy. It brought together industry leaders, strategic partners, and sustainability experts to tackle shared environmental and social challenges. By fostering collaboration, the Responsible Space Nexus aimed to drive concrete action and create long-term value for both businesses and society.
The discussion marked the beginning of a series of events, with participation from companies such as Boeing and Rocket Lab. Opportunities such as these are critical for students to build their networks and gain real-world experience in voicing their ideas for change. Read on to hear what the students gained by attending the Responsible Space Nexus and why events like these are so important to the space industry and students alike.
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Attendee: Amy Manzanero, II Undergraduate Research Scholar, Bachelor of Science in Sustainability
What was this event about?
Advancing sustainability efforts in the space industry. Executives from space companies coming together to have an open discussion about industry needs, current practices, and future goals.
Why did you attend it, what were you hoping to achieve or gain from it?
I attended the event with the hopes to hear from the people who have practical experience in the space industry, understand how sustainability is currently addressed, and to network.
What was a highlight of the event for you, or the most memorable experience of the event?
I think the highlight for me was, after the event, when we sat down to discuss all the information we gathered throughout the day. The event organizers from BSR asked us what our thoughts were. It felt empowering to have my opinions heard and to have a chance to contribute to such an important initiative.
What do events like NEXUS contribute to the space industry? Why are they important to the future of space endeavors?
They get people talking. Without these events, I feel there would be little to no progress. When you discuss something with a group of like minded individuals, you take the first step towards addressing an issue. Additionally, stakeholder involvement is important when creating an action plan, and these events help us to turn their valuable input into actionable goals.
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Attendee: Amber Lucky, II Undergraduate Research Scholar, Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science
What was this event about?
The space industry’s relationship with sustainability. The space industry is fairly new and sustainability practices are not agreed upon universally in the industry. This event facilitated conversations between executives from these companies on what sustainability looks like now and how it should look going forward.
Why did you attend it, what were you hoping to achieve or gain from it?
I attended to hear from the source what are the sustainability goals of these companies. What is the priority? What are the hurdles?
What was a highlight of the event for you, or the most memorable experience of the event?
It was really cool to see first hand what the thought process is from executives making these decisions. Getting to see the nitty gritty of conversations and debates around industry practices and goals was eye-opening.
What do events like NEXUS contribute to the space industry? Why are they important to the future of space endeavors?
Collaboration is crucial to large-scale change. Events like this help guide the steps needed industry wide to advance sustainability, which is crucial to the future of the industry.