South by Southwest (SXSW) is the nation’s largest annual tech and innovation conference that takes place in Austin, Texas. For the first time, the SXSW conference will feature new space focused program tracks. As part of the new tracks, the panels will include the exploration of redirecting asteroids, space weather disasters, and the colonization of Mars. Recently, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) announced three new panels during the SXSW 2020 conference as part of the “Space and Fantastic Future” tracks. 

Below are the three new panels the Aerospace Industries Association has announced:

Reality of Sci-Fi: From Fantasy to Future Tech

To be honest, "science" and "science fiction" are separated by the one significant word which is fiction. However, the ability to dream and to imagine are the themes for both of the fields. In the past, both words have served as a means of growth for each and is still true today. Currently, STEM professionals in the aerospace industry are making concepts like flying taxis and space tourism a new reality. The panel will include the Astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz, Afrofuturist author Ytasha Womack, Hollywood planetary physicist and science advisor Kevin Grazier, and Lockheed Martin's Dave Brandt. In this panel, there will be discussions on the creative process behind the science fiction storytelling. Furthermore, there will be a deep dive into the impacts on real world science.

Space Gold Rush

It has been predicted that the Earth’s first trillionaires will be minted in space through asteroid mining, 3D printing, and satellite services. NASA’s Alex MacDonald, Lockheed Martin’s Joe Landon, and author Daniel Suarez will join The Verge’s Loren Grush. The panel will take a deep dive into the growing commercial opportunities in space. Also, there will be a further discussion on how the Space Gold Rush changes the world.

The Gravity of Space Junk

Currently, commercial rockets and the CubeSats allow us to launch the satellites into space at a record breaking pace. At this fast rate, everything from faster internet to the more accurate GPS of the Earth has been made possible. However, flying next to them at speeds up to 22,300 miles per hour is more than half a million pieces of space junk. In fact, the space junk or the space debris will actually vandalize anything it contacts. Northrop Grumman’s Howard Eller, AGI’s Travis Langster, UT Austin professor Moriba Jah, and CNN’s Jackie Wattles will show how it will affect the daily lives. Also, there will be a discussion on how and what people can do to help.

About the AIA:

In conclusion, each of the AIA’s panels at SXSW will highlight the aerospace industry’s innovation and the cutting edge tech. As stated, it will be the first ever space focused program track added to the innovative SXSW line up. In fact, the AIA made the cut out of over the 4,400 proposed sessions from the SXSW crowd sourced panel picker.