SXSW, Mar 11-20, 2022, Austin, TX/online

The 2022 SXSW (South by Southwest) Conference and Festivals will take place in-person in Austin,TX and online from March 11-20, 2022.

More information is on the event’s website.

Some of the sessions are space-related.  Among them —

March 12, 2022 11:30am – 12:30pm Central Time

Green Space – The Value Of Space To Earth

Austin Convention Center Room 18CD [AIA tells us this is in-person only, but a recording will be available later]

• Robyn Gatens, NASA (Director, International Space Station)
• Janet Kavandi, Sierra Space (President)
• CJ Loria, Leidos (Division Manager, NASA Portfolios )
• Ilsa Mroz. Aerospace Industries Association (Manager, Space Systems)

Exploring the final frontier does not mean leaving Earth behind. While the debate around environmental concerns and the modern Space Race becomes more prevalent, there is in fact a shared history of mutually beneficial discoveries and innovations. From satellites to sensors on the ISS, space technology has joined the fight against climate change, providing an invaluable tool for protecting our home planet. Join a panel of former astronauts and industry experts to explore the positive relationship between space operations and Earth.

March 13, 1:15-2:15 pm Central Time

Space Force: More Than A Meme

Capital Factory, 16th Floor [AIA tells us this will be livestreamed]

The panel includes [updated March 9, 2022]

• Eric Fanning, Aerospace Industries Association CEO and President
• Bill Conley, Mercury Systems
• Maj. Gen. Kim Crider (Ret.), Deloitte
• Mo Islam, Payload Space

Panel description: From social media posts to slogans on shirts, everyone has their own colorful view of Space Force. While some think of “phasers set to stun” or X-wings in a galaxy far far away, the real purpose is focused much closer to home. Join former Department of Defense officials and industry experts to understand why the U.S. created a Space Force and what its actual role will be in protecting Americans and our assets – in space and on Earth.

March 14, 2022, 2:00-3:00 pm Central Time

The Commercial Space Age is Here (online)

• Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines
• Arturo Machuca, Houston Spaceport
• Matt Ondler, Axiom Space
• Douglas Terrier, NASA Johnson Space Center

For over 60 years, NASA has led the way in human space exploration. With a trillion-dollar space economy on the horizon, their continued mission to put people in space sustainably and at scale marks the opening of a new era of cooperation with private firms. Join leaders from NASA and the space startup community for an insightful discussion on how this cooperation is enabling the next frontier of space exploration.