Utah Tech University is helping launch Hard Tech Week, a statewide celebration of innovation and advanced technology, by welcoming retired NASA astronaut Steve Swanson to campus for an out-of-this-world astronaut talk.
Swanson will speak as part of the Liftoff: Red Rock to Red Planet event, which celebrates aerospace in Southern Utah. The festivities are set to take place Monday, Oct. 26, in the America First Performing Arts Center on the Utah Tech campus.
“Liftoff is a chance for everyone in Southern Utah — from second graders to grandparents — to meet an astronaut, launch a rocket and gain hands-on experience with the science that powers spaceflight,” Dr. Donald Plumlee, dean of Utah Tech’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said.
The evening will begin with space-themed activities for all ages from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Then, Swanson will offer a keynote address and open the floor to a question-and-answer session at 6:45 p.m. Additionally, Todd Brightwell from the Southern Utah Economic Alliance and Chris Metts, executive director of Project Alta at 47G, will kick off Hard Tech Week from Southern Utah. Admission is free and the community is encouraged to attend.
“Many people don’t realize that parts flying in space today are designed and built right here in our region by our friends and neighbors,” Plumlee said. “If we can help a student see that a career in aerospace can start in St. George, we’ve done something important for that student and for the future of our community.”
As part of his talk, Swanson will share about what it’s like to leave the planet. Swanson joined NASA as a systems engineer and a flight engineer and worked on the Shuttle Training Aircraft, which simulates the flight characteristics of the space shuttle from 35,000 feet to main gear touchdown. During his time with the STA, Swanson worked to improve the STA’s navigation and control systems and incorporate a real-time wind determination algorithm.
Swanson went on to be selected as mission specialist and started training in 1998. After completing Astronaut Candidate training, which included intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, he was assigned to the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch. He has also worked in the Astronaut Office Robotics Branch and as a spacecraft communicator for International Space Station and shuttle missions.
Swanson completed advance training in spacewalk, shuttle and space station robotic arm operations, and shuttle rendezvous procedures. During his NASA career, Swanson has completed four spacewalks totaling 26 hours, 22 minutes and accumulated 195 days, 15 hours, 41 minutes in space.
Set for Oct. 26-30, Hard Tech Week celebrates the companies and innovations that strengthen national security. Hard tech includes complex physical hardware and deep scientific breakthroughs that shape the aerospace, defense and manufacturing industries. The week will feature live demonstrations, facility showcases and industry events across the state. Zero Gravity Summit, 47G’s flagship event, anchors the week Oct. 28 and 29.
In line with Utah Tech’s “active learning. active life.” approach to education, 36 UT students will attend Zero Gravity Summit. Through this experience, students will learn from industry leaders and participate in networking opportunities, key components to UT’s polytechnic mission that emphasizes hands-on learning and career preparation.
“Hard Tech Week brings the people building Utah’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing future together in one place, so students, companies and the community can see how much is happening across our state,” Plumlee said. “Utah Tech University is proud to kick off the week because Southern Utah is already an important part of that story. Companies here make components that fly on aircraft and spacecraft, and our job is to prepare the scientists, engineers, technicians and innovators who will carry that work forward.”
Liftoff is made possible by Gold Sponsor RAM Aerospace; Silver Sponsors AMPAC and Baxter Aerospace; and Promoting Sponsors 47G, Southern Utah Economic Alliance, Utah Tech University College of Engineering, Science & Technology and UT Stem Outreach.
Learn more about Hard Tech Week at 47g.org/hard-tech-week.