SGAC Fusion Forum Intersects with Symposium

The United Nations' Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), an organization of university students and young professionals from around the world engaged in space policy, participated in the 28th National Space Symposium in a big way, beginning with the inaugural Space Generation Fusion Forum. 

Held April 15-16 at The Broadmoor Hotel, site of the National Space Symposium, Fusion Forum comprised a competitively chosen group of 50 top young adults from various areas of space - government, industry and academia - engaged in intense, interactive panel discussions among selected young adults moderated by international space sector leaders to gather the perspectives of tomorrow's space leaders on key space issues.

The event was hosted by the Space Foundation and held with participation by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). See more about the Forum's supporters at: http://spacegeneration.org/index.php/eventstopics/news/306.

Coordinated by SGAC Chair Catherine Doldirina (who also served as a National Space Symposium Master Moderator), SGAC Executive Director Ariane Cornell, SGAC Deputy Executive Director Andrea Jaime and Space Foundation Special Advisor - International Affairs William Parker, the Fusion Forum included presentations and participation from Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, Secure World Foundation Executive Director Mike Simpson, JAXA Space Applications Mission Directorate Executive Director Yasushi Horikawa, Sierra Nevada Corporation Vice President Space Systems Mark Sirangelo and The Aerospace Corporation Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Malissia Clinton.

The Fusion Forum conducted three panels that were then discussed in a report on April 19 during the National Space Symposium:

• International Collaboration - From Space Situational Awareness to Exploration, moderated by Chummer Farina, vice president, Canadian Space Agency, and comprising participants Artiom Anisimov of Belarus, Heejin Jeong of South Korea, Alanna Krolikowski of Canada, Julia Leeson of Australia and Minoo Rathnasabapathy of South Africa. 
• Developing Regions and Space Applications, moderated by Deputy Director of the Mexican Space Agency Enrique Pacheco, and comprising Katrina Laygo of the United States, Bustanul Arifin of Indonesia, Bekele Erko of Ethiopia, Rahul Goel of India, Ana Alexandra Perez of Venezuela and Diego Urbina of Colombia/Italy.
• The New Role of Commercial in Space Flight, moderated by Arianespace President Clayton Mowry and comprising Emmanuelle David of France, Laura Drudi of Canada and Chris Erickson, Dan Kwon and Kyle Buse, all of the United States.

Fusion Forum attendees then participated in the National Space Symposium New Generation Leadership Exchange and a networking reception on the afternoon of April 16, and the Opening Ceremony and reception that evening.

More than half of the 50 Fusion Forum attendees stayed on for the full Symposium, staying involved in the New Generation activities. On April 19, SGAC was a highlight of the National Space Symposium agenda. Doldirina served as Master Moderator and SGAC presented the results of the three panels.

See video here. See full details of the Fusion Forum here.