Is Georgia the Next Great Place for Space?
Tuesday, August 12th, 2014
Space launch and operations continues to be a huge player in the future of Georgia’s aerospace industry. With strong research assets like those found at Georgia Tech, a growing cluster of very capable companies, and a geographic position like no other, we think that Georgia is on the cusp of being a national participant in numerous space endeavors. We have our work to do, but the market is favorable for Georgia’s companies to be very successful.”
-Steve Justice, Director, Georgia Center of Innovation for Aerospace
Aerospace leaders from across the state gathered at the Georgia Tech Research Instituteon July 29 to develop a plan to expand the space industry within Georgia. The Georgia Space Leadership Summit, sponsored by the Center of Innovation for Aerospace and the Georgia Tech Center for Space Technology and Research (C-STAR), included representatives from academia, industry, state government and the investor community. The Summit featured morning panel sessions followed by afternoon group discussions to identify specific, actionable short and long-term recommendations to grow space within the state of Georgia. Panelists and speakers included:
- Dr. Robert Braun – Director, GT C-STAR
- Mr. Steve Justice – Director, Center of Innovation for Aerospace
- Dr. Steve Cross – Georgia Tech Executive Vice President for Research
- Rep. Ed Setzler – Chairman Science & Technology Committee, Georgia House of Representatives
- Mr. Steve Howard – County Manager, Camden County, Georgia
- Dr. John Bradford – President, SpaceWorks
- Mr. Mike Mealling – President, Georgia Space Society
- Dr. Stephen Ruffin – Director, Georgia Space Grant Consortium
- Mr. Stephen Fleming – Vice President, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute
- Mr. Jacob Vallo – Managing Principal, Amsterdam Capital
- Mr. Robert Turner – Partner, 360 Venture Law
Moderating the event was Dr. Mariel Borowitz of the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech. Proceedings of the summit will be prepared by the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech, Georgia Center of Innovation for Aerospace and Georgia Tech C-STAR to serve as the road map for the efforts of the Georgia space community to grow the local space industry.
Be on the look out for other upcoming space launch and operations activities through the Center of Innovation for Aerospace. Learn more by visiting Aerospace.GeorgiaInnovation.org.
