Not all space-related topics demand a full hour to explain, and some emerging ideas at the ISDC are simply so new and unique that they have not yet been fully explored and developed. The Launch Pad Talks are home to some of the newest and most exciting ideas in space exploration, development, and settlement, by some of the newest voices in the field. Drop in for one or stay for a dozen—the Launch Pad Talks contain some of the most exciting new ideas you will hear this year!
| Morning Session · 10:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| 10:00 am | Introduction Dr. Shawna Pandya — International Institute for Astronautical Sciences |
| 10:04 am | Moon Runnings: Rehearsing Humanity’s Future on the Moon through Simulation and Serious Games Dr. Claire Nelson — Space Futures Forum |
| 10:12 am | A Rock and a Hard (and Cold) Place: Risk-Informed Choices in Lunar Sampling and Site Planning Dr. Caitlin Ahrens — NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland |
| 10:20 am | tbd |
| 10:28 am | Questions |
| 10:35 am | Pathogenic Engineering, Salutogenic Architecture: A Critical Framework Approach for Space Habitats & Interiors Stephanie Brick — Salutogenic Design & Consulting Group |
| 10:43 am | Who Governs the First Settlements in Space? Michelle Hanlon — Air and Space Law at Ole Miss |
| 10:51 am | Orbital Hospital Phnam Bagley — Organization for Space Medicine, Engineering and Design |
| 10:59 am | Questions |
| 11:06 am | First Step: Sustainable Orbital Biological Additive Manufacturing Bryan Kuklinski — Orbital Construction Pioneers, Inc. |
| 11:14 am | tbd |
| 11:22 am | Could We Terraform the Moon? Key Steps to Get There Joseph Pelton — Alliance for Collaboration in the Exploration of Space |
| 11:30 am | Questions |
| 11:37 am | Human Science on Mars: Exploration and Discoveries on the Red Frontier Dr. Jim Bell — Arizona State University |
| 11:45 am | An Oasis Above the Inferno: An Integrated ISRU Proposal to Change the Venus Settlement Equation Ben Sullivan — Chemical Engineer |
| 11:53 am | Questions |
| 11:58 am | Closing Remarks Dr. Shawna Pandya — International Institute for Astronautical Sciences |
| 12:00 noon — End | |
LaunchPad Talks
Session Chair Info
Dr. Shawna Pandya
Director of Medical Research Orbital Assembly Corporation
Dr. Shawna Pandya is the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut, and will be flying to space with the Virgin Galactic Delta class of spacecraft with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) as early as 2026. She is also an emergency and aeromedical transport physician, aquanaut, Director of IIAS’ Space Medicine Group, Executive Director of the IIAS Flight Opportunities Program, and Chief of Space Medicine at the Advanced Spacelife Read More
LaunchPad Talks
Session Speakers Info
Ben Sullivan
Chemical Engineer
Ben Sullivan is a Senior Chemical Engineer at Redwood Materials, working across plant performance and capital projects. Before that, he spent several years as a metallurgist at Mount Isa Mines and Prominent Hill mine, where he supported plant operations and conducted pilot plant test work. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Metallurgical) and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry. He has been fascinated by space since he Read More
Joseph Pelton
Chair, Alliance for Collaboration in the Exploration of Space (ACES Worldwide)
Joseph is the Chair of ACES Worldwide. He is the Dean Emeritus of the International Space University and the Past Chair of the Board. He is the author of some 70 books on space and technology with one Pulitzer nomination. He is the former Director of Strategic Policy at Intelsat. Joseph is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics. He is the founder of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation. Read More
Dr. Claire Nelson
Chief Ideation Leader, Space Futures Forum
Dr. Claire Nelson is the Chief Visionary Officer of The Futures Forum and has been recognized as a Forbes Top 50 Female Futurist. She serves as the Founding Convenor of the Space Futures Forum and curates Space Ungana, which is an international conference dedicated to advancing space research and education in Africa. Dr. Nelson is the founder of the Open Afrika Space Exploration Analog Simulation and a co-founder of the Read More
Bryan Kuklinski
Executive Vice President, Orbital Construction Pioneers Inc.
Bryan Kuklinski “BK” began his aerospace pursuits building and flying model rockets and radio controlled airplanes, soloed a Cessna 150 at age 17. He studied mechanical engineering and completed flight training, including earning a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. After joining Black Sky Training, Mr. Kuklinski authored the first FAA Safety Approved course for Commercial Human Spaceflight training. He serves as Executive Vice President for Orbital Construction Pioneers, developing new Read More
Stephanie Brick
Founder, Licensed Architect, Salutogenic Design & Consulting Group
Stephanie Brick, RA, WELL AP, LEED GA, MDS, BArch is a licensed architect and leading subject matter expert (SME) on implementing salutogenic and biophilic design in unique spaces, with an expertise in high-stress/highly disconnected facilities. With nearly a decade of civilian service, she blazed the trail in the U.S. Department of War as one of the leading experts in salutogenic design to improve health and well-being in the military and Read More
Dr. Jim Bell
Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
Dr. Jim Bell is a Regents Professor in the School of Earth & Space Exploration at Arizona State University, a Distinguished Visiting Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Director of ASU’s campus-wide “NewSpace” Initiative that connects faculty, staff, and students with commercial space companies. He is an active astronomer and planetary scientist focusing on the geology, composition, and mineralogy of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Jim has supported Read More
Phnam Bagley
Partner and Creative Director at Nonfiction
Phnam is an industrial designer and space architect who designs the future of everything, on and off planet Earth. She is the co-founder of Nonfiction, a company that turns science fiction into reality for a better future. Some example of her work include wearables for human health and performance, renewable energy solutions for rural Africa, and space architecture for scientists to work and thrive in space. All of Phnam’s work Read More
Caitlin Ahrens
Assistant Research Scientist, NASA GSFC/UMD
Dr. Caitlin Ahrens is an assistant research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland. She is a member of the Diviner Science Team with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the American Society of Civil Engineers Aerospace Division working on lunar architecture and construction. She serves as a technical support scientist to assist in risk assessments of lunar surface activity. Dr. Ahrens is PI on lunar Read More