Produced in Partnership with

A series of fast-paced inspirational talks from aerospace innovators and leaders

SGx lightning talks are designed to create an environment where young professionals, industry experts, and government leaders can gather to share their insights and experiences with each other. Join us for a full day of engaging discussions that tackle pressing issues and innovative ideas to inspire the next generation of space leaders. SGx was built in partnership with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and the Future Space Leaders Foundation (FSLF), and promises to be one of the most engaging and compelling events at SATELLITE 2022!

What’s New This Year

Ever-growing, SGx 2022 features an exciting new line-up of programming and events to deliver a meaningful experience to attendees, speakers, and sponsors.
Speed mentoring and job fair for young professionals eager to join the space industry.
Multiple sessions – 3 speakers each – followed by moderated Q&A, broken into themes: Government & Policy, Technology & Science, Human Spaceflight, and Institutional Culture.
SGx Evening Reception, to follow the SATELLITE 2022 Welcome Reception.

SGx 2022 Registration

SGx tickets are available through the SATELLITE 2022 registration system. Already registered?

Visit the Registration Resource Center.
Enter your Badge Number and Email Address to access the online portal.
Click the “Upgrade” arrow and add SGx 2022 to your registration. Pricing is as follows:
- $45 Regular Pricing: Young Professionals/Students under the age of 35
- $145 Regular Pricing: All other Industry Professionals

SGx 2022 Speakers

SGX KICKOFF ADDRESS: 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM

Debra Facktor, Head of U.S. Space Systems, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.

POLICY & GOVERNMENT: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
This panel will feature leading experts who are shaping and influencing the nation’s space law and policy. Hear from their unique career paths in the federal domain and how their work has evolved during an unprecedented time in the commercial, national security, and civil space sectors.

Moderator: Maxwell Zhu, SGAC Policy and Advocacy Platform U.S. Task Force Lead, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
Mary Guenther, Director of Space Policy, Commercial Spaceflight Federation
Jared Stout, Director of Congressional and Regulatory Policy, Meeks, Butera & Israel (MeeksBI)
Erica Lefaive, Legislative Affairs Associate, Government Operations & Strategic Communications, Axiom Space

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Learn from the scientists, engineers, and pioneers of space technology who change the way we think about the universe across the industry. This panel will feature experts who continually develop innovative ideas in the context of a rapidly evolving space ecosystem.

Moderator: Diana Jack, Strategy Senior Manager, Blue Origin
Tanya Harrison, Director of Strategic Science Initiatives, Planet
Lon C. Levin, VP, New Ventures, Lockheed Martin
Lindsay Papsidero, Program Manager, Lockheed Martin PARSEC TM
Erik Luther, Vice President of Product, CesiumAstro

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Have you ever wondered what it takes to go to space? Learn firsthand from past and current astronauts about the challenges of astronaut training and the importance of human space exploration for future generations.

Moderator: Kate Manning, Senior Communications Specialist – Space Communications and Navigation, NASA Headquarters
B. Alvin Drew, NASA Department of Defense Liaison Manager, Former NASA Shuttle Astronaut, NASA Headquarters
Daniel Tani, Chief of NASA INSPIRE Office, Former NASA Shuttle Astronaut, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Chris Boshuizen, Partner, DCVC

INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Panelists will share their experiences navigating through the space industry’s historically homogeneous institutional culture while paving the way for increased diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility throughout their careers. With insights from this panel, students and young professionals can reflect on pushing cultural boundaries within their own institutions and fostering long-lasting equity in space for the next generation.

Moderator: Sapna Rao, Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin Commercial Civil Space
Will Pomerantz, Vice President for Special Projects, Virgin Orbit
Mac Malkawi, Founder and President, Borderless Labs Inc (BLinc)
Luc Riesbeck, Space Policy Research Analyst, Astroscale

SGx 2022 Schedule

Monday, March 21

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM ET: Networking Breakfast | Sponsored by: Blue Origin

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET: Welcome Remarks | SGAC, FSLF, and SATELLITE

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM ET: SGx Kickoff Address | Debra Facktor, Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Inc.

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM ET: Government and Policy Speakers

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM ET: The Importance of Authentic Relationships | Mary Guenther, Commercial Spaceflight Federation

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM ET: Strength Through Diversity: Space Needs Everyone | Jared Stout, Meeks, Butera, and Israel PLLC

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM ET: What Doesn’t Kill Me Better Run: A Few Lessons Learned Talk | Erica Lefaive, Axiom Space

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM ET: Government and Policy Q&A | Moderated by: Maxwell Zhu, SGAC

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM ET: Coffee Break | Sponsored by: SpinLaunch

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM ET: Technology and Science Speakers

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM ET: Entrepreneurs Welcome at Lockheed Martin | Lon C. Levin, Lockheed Martin, and Lindsay Papsidero, Lockheed Martin Parsec TM

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM ET: The Girl Who Came to Earth from Mars | Dr. Tanya Harrison, Planet

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM ET: Pulling The Plug But Staying Connected | Erik Luther, CesiumAstro, Inc.

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM ET: Technology and Science Q&A | Moderated by: Diana Jack, Blue Origin

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET: Opening Day Keynote Luncheon – NASA’s Future in LEO & The Space Industry’s Great Climate Opportunity

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ET: Human Spaceflight Speakers

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM ET: A Mind Once Stretched–The Overview Effect | B. Alvin Drew, NASA

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM ET: We are the Space Generation | Chris Boshuizen, DCVC

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM ET: Why Do We Need Humans in Space? | Dan Tani, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM ET: Human Spaceflight Q&A | Moderated by: Kate Manning, NASA Headquarters

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET: Coffee Break | Sponsored by: Virgin Orbit

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM ET: Institutional Culture Speakers

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM ET: Institutional Culture Lightning Talk | Will Pomerantz, Virgin Orbit

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM ET: The Power of Inclusion: How Empowering Underserved Communities Through Space Camps & Analogs Can Help Us to Live and Work in Space | Mac Malkawi, Borderless Labs Inc

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM ET: The Overlook Effect | Luc Riesbeck, Astroscale U.S., Inc.

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM ET: Institutional Culture Q&A | Moderated by: Sapna Rao, Lockheed Martin Commercial Civil Space

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM EST: SGx Job Fair/Networking Session | Sponsored by: Lockheed Martin, AIA, Virgin Orbit, Redwire, Airbus U.S., Astroscale U.S., and CesiumAstro

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM ET | Reflection Activity

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM ET | Closing Remarks

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM ET | Cirque du SATELLITE Welcome Reception

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET | SGx Evening Reception | Sponsored by Lockheed Martin