Hi y’all! It's me, Eva, once again for a pre-conference blog. This time, I am here to preface my time at the von Braun Space Exploration Symposium. This event will be hosted in none other than Huntsville, Alabama, on October 26-28. Three conferences later and I still have butterflies in my stomach every time I write one of these blogs. It is a very special feeling, when you know a life-changing experience is coming. However, the one thing that has changed is that I am now a sophomore in high school, who is far more experienced and confident.
This conference is coming at a very special time for me. Less than two weeks ago it was announced that my team, the Cosmic Chinchillas, won the Midland Artemis Series.
This is thrilling news, since it means that our science will be launched to space hopefully sometime in the spring of 2027. Almost every night since, I have dreamt of watching a rocket launch live, in particular one that holds an experiment designed by me and my team. If you really think about it, it’s almost like I’m going to space too… in a way.
Additionally, I was just now reminded of the Higher Orbits magic at the recent Go For Launch! Event in Midland. I look forward to any chance I get to spend time with Michelle and my fellow Space Kids, and this was no exception! In the chaos of a new school year, Go For Launch! Events always give me the confidence boost and creative outlet I need.
On another note, I have been working these last few months in managing the newly established AIAA branch at Midland College. This chapter was kickstarted by Brianna Ortiz, a fellow Higher Orbits alum and a very close friend of mine. Now that she is finishing her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M, I have been stepping up as Co-President and leading the chapter locally. In the little time we have been around, we have hosted multiple guest speakers, community outreach events, and will have a tour of the Air Traffic Control tower at Midland International Air and Space Port next week!
This initiative is so dear to me, as we not only include Midland College students, but also local dual-enrolled/dual-credit high school students. This AIAA branch is the kind of support I would have loved to have as a student, and I am so grateful to facilitate these opportunities for others. Though managing the branch has been challenging, I have learned many valuable lessons on leadership, and what it is like to build something from the ground up.
I hope that in this conference I can gain new connections and experiences to fuel our AIAA branch and other projects I am working on. I am certain that I will meet many potential guest speakers, partners, and possible collaborations. Every conference is a new eye-opening experience, and I am excited to dive into the operational aspects of space from a government perspective. The Von Braun Symposium is one of a kind due to the fact that it is not universalizing, but strategically welcomes industry veterans. This elite group of speakers and attendees have goldmines’ worth of wisdom and knowledge that I hope to get a glimpse of in my time in Huntsville.
This will also be my first time truly getting to know a space hub, and I am determined to explore as much as I can of Rocket City. I have never been to any NASA center, so Marshall Spaceflight will be my first. I am excited to hear about the lessons learned from Artemis II, and what the plans look like for Artemis III. This is one of those conferences with a single-track, which often create even warmer connections since everyone has attended the same sessions. I am so happy that I get to experience this conference in its entirety, and follow along a carefully curated narrative. Through this conference, I want to develop opinions, not just enthusiasm. It is one thing to be excited about all of the new technologies and advancements we are making in the space industry.
However, at Von Braun I want to learn about the current state of the industry, what paths we are taking towards the future, and understand the bigger picture. I want to do a deep dive into the motivations behind government policies and how these cause bottlenecks or advancements for space technologies. By the end of the conference, I hope to understand what factors determine trends in the industry, and formulate my own opinions on them.
However, it is never a complete blog without thanking Higher Orbits. As most, I was hooked by the Go For Launch! program, and since then I have found a second family of Space Kids, led by the incredible Space Mom - Michelle. Thank you so much for keeping me around and for granting me these out-of-this-world opportunities! I do my best to represent this organization with all of the honor it deserves. As always, I hope this blog encourages you to apply for what you want.
When I applied to AIAA ASCEND in 2024 I never thought I would get picked. But once I took that opportunity, I never looked back. It has been a joy to travel around the country with Higher Orbits for conferences, and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon! From these experiences I have learned that you never know what other people see in you that you don’t. Even though you may think you are underqualified, do not wait to “feel ready” to chase your dreams. The truth is, you are never truly ready, and that is what makes it exciting. Trust yourself and your capabilities, and don’t be afraid to go where opportunity takes you!
Written by Eva Estrada
