Utah Tech University will host retired NASA astronaut Steve Swanson for the Liftoff: Red Rock to Red Planet event on Monday, Oct. 26, serving as the Southern Utah kickoff for Hard Tech Week. The event, held at the America First Performing Arts Center, aims to celebrate aerospace in the region and highlight the local manufacturing and scientific breakthroughs that drive the space industry.
Event Schedule and Activities
The scheduled festivities for the Liftoff event begin with space-themed activities for all ages from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Following the activities, Swanson is set to deliver a keynote address at 6:45 p.m., which will include an open floor for a question-and-answer session. Admission to the event is free and open to the community.
Kickoff for Hard Tech Week
The event also features contributions from local leaders to mark the start of the broader Hard Tech Week. Todd Brightwell from the Southern Utah Economic Alliance and Chris Metts, executive director of Project Alta at 47G, will participate in kicking off the statewide celebration from Southern Utah. Hard Tech Week is scheduled to run from Oct. 26 through Oct. 30 and focuses on companies and innovations that strengthen national security through complex physical hardware and deep scientific breakthroughs in the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.
Community Engagement in Science
Dr. Donald Plumlee, dean of Utah Tech's College of Science, Engineering and Technology, noted that the event provides a unique opportunity for residents of all ages to engage with space science. Plumlee stated that Liftoff is a chance for everyone in Southern Utahfrom second graders to grandparents'to meet an astronaut, launch a rocket, and gain hands-on experience with the science that powers spaceflight.
Connecting Local Industry to Students
Plumlee also emphasized the importance of connecting local industry to student career paths. He noted that many people do not realize that parts flying in space today are designed and built in the Southern Utah region by local residents. Plumlee said that if the university can help a student see that a career in aerospace can start in St. George, it would be an important achievement for both the student and the future of the community.
Student Opportunities and Industry Summit
The university's participation in the week's events aligns with its polytechnic mission of hands-on learning. As part of the Zero Gravity Summit, the flagship event of Hard Tech Week occurring on Oct. 28 and 29, 36 Utah Tech students will participate to learn from industry leaders and engage in networking opportunities. Plumlee said Hard Tech Week brings together the people building Utah's aerospace and advanced manufacturing future so students, companies, and the community can see the activity occurring across the state.
Swanson's NASA Career History
Steve Swanson brings extensive NASA experience to the Utah Tech campus. He joined NASA as a systems engineer and flight engineer, working on the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA). During his time with the STA, which simulates space shuttle flight characteristics from 35,000 feet to touchdown, Swanson worked to improve navigation and control systems and incorporate a real-time wind determination algorithm.
Spaceflight and Training Background
After being selected as a mission specialist and beginning training in 1998, Swanson underwent intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems. His career included work in the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch and the Astronaut Office Robotics Branch, as well as serving as a spacecraft communicator for various missions. During his NASA tenure, Swanson completed four spacewalks totaling 26 hours and 22 minutes and accumulated 195 days, 15 hours, and 41 minutes in space.
