From the early years of rocket launches to the development of current sophisticated commercial launch complexes, BRPH’s aerospace team has grown to include highly dedicated engineers, architects, and technicians.

This team includes experts in the field of launch facilities and systems and in the design of rocket and spacecraft processing. Today, BRPH is a leader in the design and development of infrastructure supporting commercial access to space. The Space Symposium is one of our firm’s most anticipated events of the year, attending since 2009. You may remember my post from last year’s symposium, What’s next in space: Insights from National Space Symposium.

This year’s 33rd Space Symposium opening ceremony took place on a warm April evening in beautiful Colorado Springs. Throughout the week, industry experts, business professionals, technology developers and science educators gathered to share their ideas and insights for the space industry. BRPH actively participated in this event with a presence in the main exhibit hall. This year’s BRPH booth also attracted heavy foot traffic by hosting an oxygen bar for a limited time. We offered guests a ‘breath of fresh air” and the opportunity to sit down and talk to other symposium guests about why we were there and what makes us different.

Guests joined us for “a breath of fresh air” at the BRPH booth

 

One of the highlights of the 33rd Space Symposium was the New Gen Panel Discussion on Journey to Mars. It can best be summarized by the following three questions: Why Mars? What would the Journey to mars bring us? And What would it take for us to succeed in the Journey to Mars?

WHY MARS?

It is as simple as an exploration goal. Since mankind set foot on the moon, we’ve continually asked ourselves, “what’s next?” Mars exploration is no longer just a sci-fi fantasy, but an actionable goal for the future of space exploration. It is a high goal that we set for our great nation and this beautiful planet.

WHAT WOULD THE JOURNEY TO MARS BRING US?

Primarily, it would bring us advances in Cosmo-exploration and Cosmo-learning. In the process, we challenge the next generation of scientists through STEM education. The Journey to Mars makes its case to businesses by involving high tech job creation here on earth and the new business opportunities that could be developed with further space exploration.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO SUCCEED IN THE JOURNEY TO MARS?
  • Significant international community collaboration in the space industry, regardless of the outlook of the global political environment.
  • Converge on what we already know, the technologies and processes that we already have, and optimize for the near future.
  • Find ways to lower the cost of space launch related operations. Eventually, there will need to be consolidation of companies and programs within this industry.
  • The vision for space exploration needs to focus on the “car,” moving on from focusing on the “wheels” for developing long term space economy. We need to look at the full picture.

As we look ahead to these exciting explorations, pioneers of science and technology are paving the way for the next generation of STEM students to bring us to Mars and beyond. In supporting STEM initiatives and encouraging the students in our communities, we can all work together to make the Journey to Mars a reality.

Learn more about how BRPH supports STEM initiatives, and join us and the Aerospace community as we continue to reach toward the future of space exploration.

Diana Cheung has extensive experience in facility electrical systems design and construction administration for various types of aerospace and government projects.