Utah Tech University is set to launch Hard Tech Week, a statewide celebration of innovation and advanced technology, by welcoming retired NASA astronaut Steve Swanson to campus. The Liftoff: Red Rock to Red Planet event will take place Monday, Oct. 26, at the America First Performing Arts Center on the Utah Tech campus.
The festivities are scheduled to begin with space-themed activities for all ages from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Following the activities, Swanson will deliver a keynote address and participate in a question-and-answer session at 6:45 p.m. Todd Brightwell of the Southern Utah Economic Alliance and Chris Metts, executive director of Project Alta at 47G, will also kick off Hard Tech Week from Southern Utah during the event. Admission to the community event is free.
Dr. Donald Plumlee, dean of Utah Tech’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, stated that the event offers an opportunity for residents to meet an astronaut and gain hands-on experience with spaceflight science. Plumlee noted that many aerospace components currently flying in space are designed and built within the region. He added that the university aims to show students that careers in aerospace can begin in St. George.
Swanson joined NASA as a systems and flight engineer, working on the Shuttle Training Aircraft to improve navigation and control systems. His NASA career included four spacewalks totaling over 26 hours and 195 days in space. Hard Tech Week will run from Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, celebrating innovations in the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries. The week includes the Zero Gravity Summit, which anchors the schedule on Oct. 28 and 29. Thirty-six Utah Tech students are scheduled to attend the summit to participate in networking and industry leadership learning.
The Liftoff event is supported by various sponsors, including Gold Sponsor RAM Aerospace, and Silver Sponsors AMPAC and Baster Aerospace. Promoting sponsors include 47G, the Southern Utah Economic Alliance, Utah Tech University College of Engineering, Science & Technology, and UT Stem Outreach.
