Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium

08/24/2026

Interested in a career in space, defense, or aviation? The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship provides paid internships, scholarships, and executive mentorship in the aerospace industry. This includes disciplines such as engineering, science, policy, business, journalism, and much more.

Applications accepted through October 4th at 11:59pm PT!

Our award-winning program provides extraordinary undergraduates with their first work experience in the aerospace industry, personalized mentorship, and a cohort of similarly driven and talented students and early career professionals pursuing aerospace careers. We have a proven track record of succ

08/24/2026

Congratulations to this week’s , Jodie Kiyokawa! Jodie is the recipient of a WSGC Graduate and Professional Research Fellowship and is currently a Ph.D. student studying astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jodie is a recipient of the WSGC Graduate and Professional Research Fellowship and a Ph.D. student in astronomy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, she earned her undergraduate degree in Astrophysics from UCLA. Working with Assistant Professor Catherine Grier, she studies the powerful supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. As an observational astronomer, she uses both ground- and space-based telescopes to probe the extreme environments of active galactic nuclei, helping to uncover how black holes grow and influence their host galaxies. Outside of research, she is actively involved in science outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Congratulations, Jodie, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors!

08/12/2026

WE'RE ALMOST AT 200! 🚀

The 36th Annual Wisconsin Space Conference is just 2 DAYS AWAY, and we’re closing in on an exciting milestone!

🎉 190 attendees registered
🎯 Goal: 200
🚀 Just 10 more to go!

We’ve already surpassed our original goal of 175 attendees. Now, we’d love to welcome 200 students, educators, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and space enthusiasts to Carthage College this Friday!

This year’s theme, Aerospace Entrepreneurship: Investing in Wisconsin’s Economy, brings together speakers and presenters from across academia, government, and industry for a full day of ideas, research, networking, and conversation.

🚀 Plenary & entrepreneurship speakers
💡 Entrepreneurship Panel
🔬 Student & faculty research presentations
📊 Poster sessions
🤝 Networking opportunities
…and more!

Want to see what’s planned for the day?
Visit our conference website to view the full conference program and detailed schedule.

📅 Friday, August 14, 2026
🕢 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍 Carthage College | Kenosha, WI

Only 10 more attendees to reach 200. Will you be one of them?

It’s not too late—only 2 days left to register!
Register and view the program:
https://spacegrant.carthage.edu/conference/

08/11/2026

Entrepreneurship Panelist Spotlight: Jonathan Schotte, M.S.

We're just days away from the 36th Annual Wisconsin Space Conference, and we're closing in on 200 attendees! 🎉

Joining this year's Entrepreneurship Panel is Jonathan Schotte, M.S., President of the Board of Directors and founder of OS Research Labs, a nonprofit research institute in Mequon advancing quantum computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, and neural computation.

Jonathan's work spans research, education, industry, and entrepreneurship. In addition to OS Research Labs, he founded Cancer Curova, an AI-powered clinical trial matching platform, leads enterprise AI and data programs at Bader Rutter, and teaches graduate computer science courses at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Hear from Jonathan and other innovators about what it takes to turn ideas and emerging technologies into organizations with real-world impact.

Aerospace Entrepreneurship: Investing in Wisconsin's Economy

August 14, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Carthage College | Kenosha, WI

We're almost at 200 attendees—and there's still room for you!

It's not too late to register and join us this Friday.

Register today:
https://spacegrant.carthage.edu/conference/

08/11/2026

Congratulations to this week’s , Abhinov Koutharapu! Abhinov is the recipient of a WSGC Undergraduate Scholarship and is currently a junior studying Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Abhinov Koutharapu is a computer science and mathematics major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He started his computer science and mathematics journey in high school, where he was a dual-enrollment student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, taking courses in computer science, math, and statistics.

Outside of the classroom, Koutharapu enjoys playing badminton and pickleball. Last summer, he interned at NASA Langley Research Center as a software engineering intern.

Congratulations, Abhinov, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors!

08/11/2026

Aerial Jam is gearing up for Mission 2027!

Live event begins at 3:30 PM CT

Mission 2027 reveal at 4:00 PM CT
WATCH LIVE TODAY:

https://www.youtube.com/live/YywKfZ7y1gI?si=Q1DW-DDF3JPPJp1y

The next Aerial Drone Competition (ADC) mission is about to be revealed! Join the Aerial Drone Competition community TODAY as Robolink, in partnership with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), unveils Mission 2027.

And then… get ready for Aerial Jam!

📅 January 23, 2027
📍 Carthage College

Aerial Jam is WSGC’s Aerial Drone Competition event, bringing teams together to put their engineering, piloting, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to the test.

🌟 NEW THIS YEAR: WSGC will also host the ADC Pro Challenge!

We can’t wait to see Mission 2027—and then see teams take on the challenge at Aerial Jam in January!

Hosted by Robolink in partnership with the Robotics Education & Com...

08/07/2026

🚀 ONE WEEK until the Wisconsin Space Conference!

We're celebrating another Breakout Speaker Spotlight as we count down to !

Daniel Buckland, M.D., Ph.D. will present:

Commercial Considerations of the Human System Risks of Exploration Spaceflight

Dr. Buckland brings a unique combination of expertise in medicine, aerospace engineering, human spaceflight, and safety-critical systems. An Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, he previously served as Deputy Chair of the Human System Risk Board at NASA's Johnson Space Center, evaluating technologies designed to reduce the risks humans face during exploration spaceflight.

Don't miss the opportunity to hear his perspective on this important topic!

And speaking of milestones... 184 people are registered! 🎉

We blew past our original goal of 175, so we're setting our sights on 200 attendees.

Only 16 more to go! 🚀

📅 August 14, 2026
📍 Carthage College | Kenosha, WI

🎟️ Register today:
https://spacegrant.carthage.edu/conference/

08/03/2026

Congratulations to this week’s , Casey Czerwonka! Casey is the recipient of a WSGC Undergraduate Scholarship and is currently a sophomore studying environmental science at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Casey Czerwonka is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he is majoring in environmental science with an emphasis in natural science. His academic interests include paleontology, paleoecology, and conservation. He is currently a member of the university’s Students Allied for a Green Earth organization, which promotes sustainability and environmental awareness on campus. Through his studies and future research funded by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, Casey aims to develop skills in scientific research, laboratory work, and scientific communication, with the long-term goal of pursuing a career focused on environmental research, fieldwork, and the conservation of animals and ecosystems, while expanding public understanding of how past and present Environmental change shapes biodiversity.

Congratulations, Casey, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors!

07/31/2026

🌕 Breakout Speaker Spotlight: Buckley Brinkman, MBA

What role will Wisconsin manufacturers play in returning humans to the Moon?

Join Buckley Brinkman, MBA, for his breakout session:

Apollo Techniques in an Artemis World: Is Wisconsin Manufacturing Ready to Go to the Moon?

Drawing on decades of manufacturing leadership and innovation, Buckley will explore how Wisconsin companies can contribute to NASA's Artemis missions and the growing space economy. As former Executive Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity, he has spent his career helping manufacturers grow, innovate, and compete on a global scale.

📅 36th Annual Wisconsin Space Conference
🗓️ August 14, 2026
🕢 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍 Carthage College | Kenosha, WI

Theme: Aerospace Entrepreneurship: Investing in Wisconsin's Economy

Register today:
https://www.carthage.edu/news-events/special-events/36th-annual-wisconsin-space-conference/

07/29/2026

BIG NEWS: First Nations Launch is returning in 2027!

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium has received a transformative $500,000 gift from Blue Origin to support the return and expansion of the First Nations Launch high-power rocket competition.

Since 2010, First Nations Launch has:

🚀 Engaged more than 1,450 students
🏫 Welcomed participants from 51 colleges and universities
🤝 Represented 132 tribal nations
🌎 Connected Indigenous students from across the United States and Canada
🛰️ Helped students pursue STEM education, internships, graduate programs, and aerospace careers

The next competition will take place April 23–25, 2027, at Carthage College and Richard B**g State Recreation Area in Wisconsin.

Teams will design, build, test, and launch high-power rockets while participating in cultural exchange, professional development, and workforce preparation activities.

To the students, alumni, advisors, mentors, judges, volunteers, sponsors, tribal leaders, and partners who built the First Nations Launch community: thank you. Your legacy continues, and we look forward to welcoming the FNL family back together.

Registration and competition details will be announced in August 2026.

Launching Rockets. Breaking Barriers. Starting Careers.