New Go For Launch! Event Manager

Go For Launch! Durham Summer 2019

Mission Complete!

Help Higher Orbits continue to provide these GO FOR LAUNCH! events. Your donation ensures that our organization continues to excite and educate children about SPACE and STEM!


Full STEAM Ahead Event

This event winning design will be competed against the January winning designs and the overall winner will have their design built and carried out in space!

Aug 1-2, 2019 - Durham, North Carolina

Students Grades 8-12

Flyer graciously created & donated by:  www.pro-cad.net

Presenting Team


Currently consults with various firms in the areas of spacecraft design, assembly, and flight operations, and micro-gravity research. This has included launch vehicle evaluation and systems engineering support for Motorola on Iridium; avionics architecture, generation of performance specification, and generation of performance map for small expendable launch vehicle; and constellation configuration and launch vehicle performance definition for proprietary smallsat communications system. Last two years with RCA were spent as Manager of Payload Accommodations on EOS Platform, responsible for definition and co-ordination of interfaces supporting the utilization of the EOS platform by numerous (ten to fifteen) complex scientific payloads. Prior assignments at RCA included Integration and Test Manager for the Satcom D & E spacecraft, responsible for implementation of all launch site activities, and Spacecraft Bus Manager on the Spacenet/Gstar programs, responsible for satisfaction of multiple launch vehicle interfaces (Delta, STS and Ariane) by the spacecraft bus design. Other efforts include systems engineering and operations support for INTELSAT on Intelsat K and Intelsat VIII; AT&T on Telstar 401 and 402; Fairchild Matra on SPAS III; and Martin Marietta on Astra 1B, BS3N, ACTS, and Series 7000 communications satellites. Systems engineering and architecture for various spacecraft studies, ranging from individual Smallsats, military communications constellations, and large, assembled-in-orbit platforms. Former member of the technical staff at the RCA/GE Astro Space Division. In 18 years with GE (formerly, RCA), worked in a variety of functions, including satellite attitude control and in-orbit operations; spacecraft assembly, test, and pre-launch operations; and satellite hardware and system design. Approximately two years of this experience were with a Navy navigation satellite program, with the remaining time spent on various commercial communications satellite efforts. Selected by RCA as a Payload Specialist; and approved by NASA to fly on the space shuttle Columbia on STS 61-C. On six day mission, (January 12 to 18, 1986) performed a variety of physiological tests, observed the deployment of the RCA Satcom Ku-1 satellite, and operated primary experiment, an infrared imaging camera. Born and raised near Uniontown, Pa., Mr. Cenker holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State; and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers. He is an Associate Fellow in the AIAA, a Senior Member of the IEEE, a Life Member of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Association of Space Explorers, and a registered Professional Engineer in the state of New Jersey. He is also a member of Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Gamma Tau.

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Michelle Lucas spent 10+ years working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. First as part of the International Space Station (ISS) Payload Safety Review Panel (PSRP) and then in the Mission Operations Directorate as a Flight Controller in ISS Mission Control and as an Astronaut Instructor in the ISS Daily Operations Group. Additionally, she worked with each of the International Partners (European Space Agency – ESA, Japanese Space Agency – JAXA, and the Russian Space Agency) in the field of Daily Operations, Flight Controller, and Instructor Training. Michelle was part of the Core NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) team for 9 missions where astronauts would carry out analog space missions underwater in the Aquarius habitat. Along the way, Michelle found she has a passion for launching the next generation’s dreams and ambitions. Her passion for inspiring students led to extensive work with other organizations in STEM outreach so she founded the non-profit Higher Orbits to use space to excite and inspire students about STEM, Leadership, Teamwork, and Communication. Michelle is proud to be a Space Camp Alum, AIAA Associate Fellow, and member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame. She believes that collaboration in space and STEM is the key to the stars! Space Inspires!

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Presented in Partnership With ...

Supported by Sponsors:

Solar System Explorer

Mars Rovers

Intergalactic Voyagers

Contact Details

Durham Southwest Regional Library

3605 Shannon Rd

Durham, NC 

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