My name is Kiera Fehr, and I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to attend the upcoming IAA Space Traffic Management Conference in Austin, TX, with Higher Orbits. Being selected to participate in this event means a great deal to me, and I am especially looking forward to our panel presentation, where a group of fellow Go for Launch! students and I will share the impact the program has had on our personal and professional paths. I am eager to help spread the Higher Orbits mission and highlight the profound impact it has had on my interests and goals for the future.
My connection to Higher Orbits began in 2015, when I attended Go for Launch! in Lexington, Kentucky, and had the opportunity to work with NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson. From the very beginning, Higher Orbits stood out to me for its dedication to inspiring students to explore STEM fields while connecting those interests to real-world careers and service. After my first Go for Launch! event, I was hooked. I continued participating when the program returned to Lexington in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and I also took part in the Space at Home kits during COVID.
Over the years, I have remained deeply involved with Higher Orbits as a student ambassador, a member of the Advisory Board and MarComm Committee, and most recently as a participant in the first Stars in Orbit cohort. I have also had the opportunity to present at AIAA ASCEND in 2021 and to be part of the International Science School Higher Orbits cohort in 2023. At this conference, I will be presenting alongside a fellow Higher Orbits alum who also attended the International Science School in Sydney, Australia, which makes this experience even more meaningful.
Through Higher Orbits, I have been fortunate enough to attend rocket launches at both Wallops Island and Kennedy Space Center, where my team’s experiment was launched after winning the 2019 Go for Launch! series. These experiences have helped me better understand how space, engineering, leadership, and collaboration come together to make a meaningful impact.
One of the things I admire most about Higher Orbits is its commitment to empowering students with the mentality that “you can’t get it if you don’t apply.” This mindset helps students recognize that they have the right to pursue their goals and that they should not disqualify themselves before even trying. The organization does an incredible job of showing that STEM is not just about equations or experiments, but about problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation. These values strongly align with my own aspirations as I continue to think about my future education and career path.
As I prepare to attend this conference, I am especially excited about the opportunity to learn from professionals and connect with other Higher Orbits students who share my
passion for space. I am particularly eager to learn more about space traffic management and the growing challenges that come with increased activity in Earth’s orbit. As more satellites are launched and space becomes more accessible, managing congestion, avoiding collisions, and ensuring long-term sustainability have become critical issues. Attending the Space Traffic Management Conference in Austin will allow me to hear directly from experts who are addressing these challenges in real time and to better understand how policy, engineering, and international cooperation all play a role in keeping space safe and usable.
I am also excited to see how discussions at the conference connect emerging technologies with real-world decision-making. Learning about satellite tracking, debris mitigation strategies, and future solutions for orbital safety will help me better understand how STEM knowledge is applied beyond the classroom. Conferences like this provide a unique environment where ideas are shared, questions are encouraged, and inspiration is everywhere.
Another aspect of the conference that excites me is the chance to step outside of my comfort zone. Whether through networking, participating in discussions, or engaging with industry leaders, I know this experience will help me grow both personally and academically. I am eager to gain new perspectives and return home with knowledge and motivation that I can apply to my studies and future goals.
Overall, I am truly thankful to Higher Orbits for providing this opportunity and for continuing to invest in students like me. I see this conference as a stepping stone toward discovering what is possible and how I can contribute to the STEM community in the future. I am proud to represent Higher Orbits and excited to share more about my journey after the conference.
Written By Stellar Student Kiera Fehr
