Co-located for the first time with ASCEND, Space Generation Advisory Council’s (SGAC) annual SGx event brought together students and young professionals from around the world for a day and a half of engaging, collaborative content. Attendees delved into current industry trends and worked to hone skills that will support them for a lifetime.
Keynotes and fireside chats from industry leaders, corporate giants, and keen-eyed start-ups allowed attendees to gain insight into real career paths: what worked, what didn’t, and course corrections or recommendations to strengthen the next generation of space professionals. Representatives from Blue Origin, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, NOAA, NASA, and others gave a varied view of their own paths, meandering or hyperfocused as they may be.
Leaning into the new location, the “Cracking D.C.’s Black Box” workshop explored what it actually takes to work alongside government. Panelists from Astroscale, the Department of State, AIA, and AIAA guided attendees through an active exploratory exercise where groups created their own companies and had the chance to learn what the U.S. government and its agencies need from industry to help them succeed.
The Young Professional Lightning Talks were a special treat: topics ranged from mental health and balance to building collaborative work relationships across the technical/creative divide. Participants delved deep into lessons from their own lives and the guidance they could share with their peers.
Closing with a keynote from Axiom Space’s Chief Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, the event embraced the challenge of constant learning and betterment, supporting the next generation for a stronger, more connected, and brighter path ahead.
The SGx team thanks the attendees, speakers, and collaborators for their time and energy over the past two days. Together, we will build the future.
