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Student Space Technology Conference.

The inaugural SSTC brought students, universities, startups, industry leaders, and government partners to Knoxville for a full day of technical talks, project showcases, panels, and networking.

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Last Year's Conference

Inaugural SSTC Recap

SSTA hosted the first Student Space Technology Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, creating a high-impact event for student teams and aerospace professionals.

250+

Conference Attendees

27

Universities

20+

Companies / Startups

17

Student Projects Exhibited

3

Student Competition Finalists

Why SSTC Began

  • Expand professional development opportunities for students through industry exposure.
  • Build stronger networks across university space technology teams.
  • Create an affordable, high-impact event centered on student-built aerospace work.
  • Give students exposure to real aerospace challenges through keynotes and panels.
Students and attendees at the Student Space Technology Conference
Program Highlights

What Happened

SSTC keynote session

Keynotes

Brig. Gen. Damon Feltman spoke on spacepower and U.S. space superiority for economic and national security. Stephen Renick of GM Defense spoke on Lunar Terrain Vehicle development.

Student project exposition at SSTC

Student Project Exposition

Seventeen student space technology teams brought rockets, lunar robots, satellite components, engine hardware, and other work to show at the exposition.

Industry panel at SSTC

Industry Panels

Panels covered the state of the space industry, advanced propulsion, space startups, policy and defense, the LEO economy, hypersonics, and satellite standardization.

State of the Space Industry Panel

A high-level discussion on where space technology is headed and how leaders see the industry changing.

  • Ryan Kriser, Type One Ventures
  • Maj. Gen. John Olsen, Defense Innovation Unit
  • Dr. John Schmisseur, University of Tennessee Space Institute
  • Dr. Kurt Polzin, NASA
State of the Space Industry panel at SSTC

Breakout Panels

  • Advanced Propulsion SystemsNext-generation propulsion systems, from chemical to electric and beyond.
  • Space StartupsHow to start, fund, and grow a startup in space technology.
  • Policy & DefenseSpace's role in national security and the future of warfighting.
  • Building the LEO EconomyEstablishing a permanent human presence in orbit.
  • The Future of HypersonicsHypersonic glide vehicles, orbital re-entry, and emerging flight research.
  • Satellite StandardizationThe industrialization of satellite manufacturing, compute, and communications.

Student Project Competition

Three student teams advanced as finalists after written paper scoring and presented their projects at the conference.

  1. 1st Place University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hypersonics Team
  2. 2nd Place University of Georgia Rocketry Team
  3. 3rd Place North Carolina State University Rocketry Team

Awards Banquet

The Awards Banquet at the Sunsphere recognized the Student Project Competition finalists and the Best Project Display from visiting universities.

  • Competition awards were presented to the top three finalist teams.
  • The Nittany Rocketry Team from Penn State University received Best Project Display from visiting universities.
Planning Ahead

The Next SSTC

We are planning the next Student Space Technology Conference now, with the same focus: student projects, industry access, technical depth, and cross-university collaboration.

SSTC attendees and project teams

Interested in participating?

Students, project teams, speakers, sponsors, and partner organizations can reach out to help shape the next SSTC.

Contact SSTA →