Howdy Y’all!!
It’s Bri back from the 12th Annual Space Technology Management Conference, and per the usual I’ll sum it up in three words: Opportunity, Connection, and AMAZING Food!!
This conference was truly one of a kind. With a smaller group and so many passionate individuals with unique ideas, it was incredible to hear from everyone. I especially loved the panel discussions throughout the conference. Usually I have the sense that everyone is working toward the “perfect” idea or solution, but at this event there were counterpoints and different perspectives that made you really think about sustainability. It highlighted how important it is that the work we do now considers how things will function long-term.
Going into the conference I mostly thought about the issue of more and more things being added to already busy space traffic, but I hadn’t really considered how much time there is to act. Hearing the ideas people had about how we can work together to make a more sustainable future, and create action plans for possible events, it was really impactful.
I think our Higher Orbits panel was super fun and shared a lot about the importance of connection and finding your tribe, just like we were able to do here. I also got to learn a lot about my fellow student panelists. The questions from the audience definitely made me think. I will say to Derren McKnight, the gentleman in the audience who suggested doing a sport, learning an instrument, and learning a foreign language, I might meet some of those qualifications. I was a competitive swimmer for nine years and broke a 6A high school record
and was in the final at the Texas 6A Regional level. I’ve played the violin for eight years (classical, fiddle, and mariachi) and now teach violin. However, I only know about ⅕ Spanish and ⅕ sign language, so maybe that still counts for some points. Hopefully I’ll run into you again sometime, and by then maybe I’ll know another language!
The connections at this conference were also very different compared to other events. Because of the smaller size, we were able to mingle with everyone and it really showed how closely knit the space community is. Throughout the conference, Spacemom Michelle introduced us to so many incredible people. One of them was Moriba Jah, who is one of the kindest humans ever and has one of the coolest backgrounds in the industry.
I also had the opportunity to meet Janet Tinoco, who not only was familiar with Midland but is actually friends with my boss, Justine Ruff, from work! I also have to give huge recognition to Diane Howard, her outfits were fashionably AMAZING, and she was so incredibly kind and welcoming to us students.
Everyone at this conference was so genuine, and it was really fun getting to know people on a personal level. Typically at conferences there’s always so much to see and do that it’s hard to truly connect with someone, but this conference felt different. Hearing people’s stories and the advice they shared was honestly my favorite part of the event.
Since we were on the University of Texas campus, we also got to meet students with similar aspirations and connect with them. I even got to see some friends from home who are now at UT, and they came to our panel! Shout out to Fiona, Jordan, Ryland, and Tuan, it was so cool seeing people I grew up with in the audience at this event.
I also loved spending time with the other girls from Higher Orbits. Kiera and I reconnected after two years, and it honestly felt like no time had passed. We had the most interesting Uber experience ever, and the advice our driver gave us will definitely stick with us: “To live freely is to live without negative energy dragging you down. Surround yourself with positive energy in everything you do.” And “There are thousands of choices you can make in life, but you have to be the one to make the decisive choice that brings you the most positive energy.”
Kiera and I definitely carried that positive energy with us throughout the whole conference. Josie and Eva were also so much fun to hang out with. It was funny how similar Kiera and Josie were to each other, and how similar Eva and I looked. Even the age gaps were exactly the same. Josie was incredibly sweet and it was great meeting her, and as I’m writing this I’m realizing I forgot to email her. So Josie, if you’re reading this… expect an email soon (this is my reminder). Eva was also great to spend time with. We actually got lunch together recently since
we’re less than a minute away from each other almost every day!
Now onto an equally important part of the conference: the food. We had an absolutely colossal amount of amazing food throughout the trip. Before we even made it to the hotel, Kiera and I stopped at HEB, because when you’re in Texas, an HEB stop is mandatory. We picked up bread, grapes, and a couple desserts, because HEB truly has the best donuts in the world. I would pay $100 to anyone who can beat their donut-making abilities.
They’re so good that I’ll go out of my way during the week just to grab one. I might even go get one after writing this blog.
But honestly, we didn’t even need the HEB stop. That night we went to Stiles Switch BBQ, and the food was absolutely immaculate. The brisket melted in your mouth, the turkey was juicy and perfectly seasoned, and the ribs were fall-off-the-bone amazing. The sides, creamy mac and cheese, baked potato salad, and baked beans, were just as good. For dessert we had warm peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream, and oh my goodness it was incredible. My new friend, Shay, who is an amazing human, even sent us home with a whole bag of leftovers.
Our hotel didn’t have a fridge, but Shay also gave us an insulated bag that Kiera and I later used to save our grapes. And of course, we don’t waste food, so my friends going to UT Austin got to try the BBQ once we made it back to the hotel, and they agreed it was AMAZING.
The next morning the conference had a great breakfast spread with fluffy scones, breakfast tacos with great salsa, and fresh fruit. Lunch was poke bowls, and I love raw salmon, so it was perfect. After the last panel there was a reception with one of the best charcuterie spreads I’ve ever seen, every type of finger food imaginable, and it was all delicious. There were so many leftovers that we even got to take some back to the hotel.
Then for dinner we went to the famous Pappasito’s, which Spacemom Michelle has hyped up for years, and it absolutely lived up to the expectations. The fajitas looked and smelled incredible. Also, per tradition of any Briana blog: Queso Rating. Queso: 10/10. Absolutely amazing. Kiera and I finally got a group redemption after the Australia queso experience.
The next day the great food continued. Breakfast again was fantastic, and for lunch we had Mexican food. I’m a bit picky when it comes to Mexican food, but the green chicken enchiladas were incredible. They also had queso and guacamole on the side, which were again amazing. Truly this whole trip was a treat.
I absolutely loved this conference and the opportunity to once again join Higher Orbits. I’m incredibly thankful for Michelle and all the opportunities I’ve had since Go For Launch. Experiences like this remind me how supportive the space community truly is, and I’m so grateful to be able to be part of it.
Written By Stellar Student Brianna Ortiz
