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The 3rd

Tuesday, Oct. 27

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Brought
To You By:

The Stephen W. Hawking Center for
Microgravity Research and Education

Florida Space Institute

Date

Tuesday
October 27

UCF Main Campus Locations

8:30 a.m.–noon: Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd N

1–4:30 p.m.: SPRK Building, 12790 Aquarius Agora Drive

Questions?

Email us at SpaceUevents@ucf.edu

3rd SpaceU Symposium at America’s Space University

As part of Space Week we are excited to host the 3rd SpaceU Symposium at America’s Space University which will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The event will bring together space leaders, researchers, and students from across Florida, presenting the latest innovations and research, building in-state collaborations and partnerships, and highlighting our specialized facilities. SpaceUS3 will feature research posters, student clubs, degree programs, internship and scholarship opportunities, jobs, and more. In partnership with NASA, and industry, Florida research universities drive the future of space science and exploration to foster a prosperous space economy.

Registration is now closed

A telescope pointing at the night sky

Who Should Attend

This event is designed for:

  • Space researchers and students from Florida universities, industry, and Kennedy Space Center.
  • Industry partners
  • Florida space foundations and organizations

What’s Included?

Complimentary registration includes:

  • Expert Panels & Speakers, Academic Presentations & Space Showcase
  • Light Breakfast & Coffee Break
  • Networking Lunch

Highlights

The Symposium will feature:

  • Research & Industry Leaders: Keynote, U.S. Space Force panel, and presentations from universities, NASA and industry experts.
  • Awards & Student Opportunities: Space Ideation Challenge winners, scholarships, research posters and degree programs.
  • Exhibits & Networking: Exolith® Lab, student clubs, industry sponsors and networking opportunities.
  • Concurrent Sessions: 60 research presentations across six tracks covering engineering, physical sciences, life sciences and space management.

View This Year’s Program

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

Symposium Agenda

The morning program takes place at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. Afternoon presentations, posters and exhibits take place at the SPRK Building, 12790 Aquarius Agora Drive, UCF main campus. Select one research track for each concurrent session to create your own afternoon schedule. Program details are subject to change.

SpaceU Symposium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. A continuous schedule with interactive research-track selections for the two afternoon concurrent sessions.
Time Event / Presentation Location
Morning Program8 a.m.–noon · Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Organizer meetup and volunteer welcome Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Exhibitor and poster setup Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Registration Opens and Coffee Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Opening

Dr. Joe Harrington, Dr. Greg Autry, Dr. Luisa F. Zambrano Marin – UCF Space Council

 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Welcome Remarks

Dr. Winston V. Schoenfeld, UCF Vice President for Research and Innovation

 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Keynote

Clayton Turner, Operating Partner at Andromeda Ventures

 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Special Event

John Vargas, Voyager Technologies Space MBA Scholarship Announcement

 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Spotlight Speaker

Dr. Alain Berinstain, Florida Space Research Consortium

 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Coffee Break Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Panel: Space Force
  • Michael Ludes Martindale, Director of Education for Space Force Association – Moderator
  • Dr. Mehmed Ali, Provost and Chief Learning Officer, Space Delta XIII, United States Space Force
  • Tyrone Parker, U.S. Space Force, STARCOM Lead for Civilian Recruiting
  • Col. (S) Jason Cano, U.S. Space Force, Commander, 320th Recruiting Squadron
 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Spotlight Talks
  • Dr. Phil Metzger, Director of the Hawking Center for Microgravity Research, “Two Issues That Need Urgent Attention: Blowing Moondust and Democratizing Space”
  • Ronald Lau, Chief Investment Officer, Space Florida
  • Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee, Director, NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium, “NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium”
 Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Space Ideation Challenge Winners’ Talks

$150,000 in sponsored prizes awarded to winners

Dean Paul Jarley, Associate Provost Greg Autry, Director of Space MBA Prof. Zaheer Ali – Barry S. Miller College of Business

Awardee Talks

 Fairwinds Alumni Center
Lunch and TransitionNoon–1:15 p.m. · Fairwinds to SPRK Building
– Lunch, Networking, Open Posters and Exhibitors Fairwinds Alumni Center
– Transition to SPRK Building, Posters, Exhibitors and Networking Fairwinds → SPRK Building
Concurrent Sessions I1:15–2:15 p.m. · SPRK Building
Choose a research track for Concurrent Sessions I

The table will show presentations for the track you select. Choose each session independently.






All tracks are listed below. Select a track to filter the table.
All Other Space Engineering6 presentations · SPRK 101 A-C
– Space Domain Awareness and Remote Sensing Below the Diffraction LimitProf. Stephen Eikenberry · UCF SPRK 101 A-C
– Advancing Melt Probes for the Exploration of Ocean WorldsAmelia Brumfield · FIT SPRK 101 A-C
– Utilizing Machine Learning to Identify Unknown SatellitesDerek Nguyen · UCF SPRK 101 A-C
– Advances in Resident Space Object Identification Using Unresolved Optical Space ImageryDylan Hernquist · ERAU SPRK 101 A-C
– Bridging Micro-Scale Adhesion and Scalable DEM for Irregular, Charged Lunar RegolithMatthew Crews · UCF SPRK 101 A-C
– Predicting Orbital Motion Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) for On-Board Autonomous Guidance and NavigationMeagan Thatcher · UCF SPRK 101 A-C
Space Vehicle Engineering5 presentations · SPRK 229
– Launching Rockets from Bolivia’s High Altitude Altiplano: A Comparison between El Alto and Cape CanaveralPablo Rivero · FIT SPRK 229
– Design of a Lunar Adjustable Multipurpose Stand for NASA Micro-g NExTAidan Hall · UCF SPRK 229
– A Semi-Empirical Reduced-Order Model for Heat Shield SeparationEdward Clutter · UCF SPRK 229
– Characterization of Freezing-Induced Stiffness Changes in Fluid-Filled Structural MembersIsabelle Kaltenbaugh · UCF SPRK 229
– Toward Sustained Flight at Uranus: A Multidisciplinary Design Framework for a Fixed-Wing ExplorerKevin Johnson · UCF SPRK 229
Space Vehicle Engineering – Plume Effects4 presentations · SPRK 305
– Characterizing Plume-Surface Interaction Effects on Planetary Surfaces with SPARTADr. Jared Long-Fox · UCF SPRK 305
– Decay Constant Extraction From Images Of Laser Propagation In Dust PlumesJavier Ramos Salamo · UCF SPRK 305
– Exploration of Nozzle Design’s Influence on Plume Surface Interactions (PSI) PhysicsMaribel Garcia · UCF SPRK 305
– Approximating Regolith Displacement from Single Nozzle Plume Impingement at Varying Descent VelocitiesNoah Brockhoff · UCF SPRK 305
Management3 presentations · SPRK 122
– Wed, Bred, Med & Dead: Weddings, Births, Health and Death in Space HospitalityDr. Stephen Pratt · UCF SPRK 122
– The Future of Space Entrepreneurs (Space Innovation & Workforce Development)Dr. Sierra Pollard · ERAU SPRK 122
– Integrating Health Science into Orbital Travel Experience Design: A Wellness-focused Consumer Journey MapDr. Susan Zhong · UCF SPRK 122
Physical Sciences6 presentations · SPRK 326
– Space Weather Assessment and Monitoring InstrumentDr. Aroh Barjatya · ERAU SPRK 326
– SiO Maser Isotopologue Research in O-AGB star ClassificationPramod Raghav Mulagala · FIT SPRK 326
– Io Sample ReturnProf. Ryan Ogliore · UCF SPRK 326
– PHOENIX: A Photonics-Enabled Heterodyne Submillimeter/Far-Infrared Interferometer for Planet Formation, Star Formation, and Galaxy EvolutionProf. Peter Delfyett · UCF SPRK 326
– Excision of Drifting RFI in Arecibo 12 m Telescope Observations Using Deep LearningHannah Nithilla Ilango Samuel Peter · UCF SPRK 326
– Performance simulations of photonic-enabled exoplanet spectroscopic sensor (PEEPSS) for HWOGenevieve Markees · UCF SPRK 326
Life6 presentations · SPRK 324
– Medical Research Gaps in Support of Human Commercial SpaceflightsProf. Melchor Antunano · UCF SPRK 324
– From Spectral Signatures to Freshness: Integrating Hyperspectral Imaging, Multi-Omics, and AI for Postharvest QualityProf. Tie Liu · UF SPRK 324
– Ultra-Sensitive Molecular Detection with Frequency Combs: From Human Breath to Planetary Exploration.Prof. Konstantin Vodopyanov · UCF SPRK 324
– Subgrouping in Teams: Testing an Intervention for MitigationAllen Shorey · UCF SPRK 324
– From UF to Zurich: Building the Next Generation of Space Life Scientists through Transatlantic Collaborations for Parabolic Flight CampaignsDeep Thakkar · UF SPRK 324
– Regolith to Rations: Cultivating Oyster Mushrooms in Martian Simulant for Food and ConstructionHelen Navach · UCF SPRK 324
– Posters, exhibitors, networking and sweets SPRK Building
Concurrent Sessions II3–4 p.m. · SPRK Building
Choose a research track for Concurrent Sessions II

The table will show presentations for the track you select. Choose each session independently.






All tracks are listed below. Select a track to filter the table.
All Other Space Engineering6 presentations · SPRK 101
– Radiation Effects and Reliability for Space Electronics: From Devices to SystemsProf. Enxia Zhang · UCF SPRK 101
– Thermal Energy Storage Using Abundant Lunar Regolith for Lunar HabitatsProf. Shin Young Jeong · UCF SPRK 101
– Affordance-Based Grasp Identification for Autonomous Satellite Capture Using Image SegmentationSamantha Rogers · ERAU SPRK 101
– A Digital Twin for EagleCam 2: Lunar Imaging and Camera ModelingSamuil Nikolov · ERAU SPRK 101
– Lunar Scalable Outpost Power Evaluation (L-SCOPE): Effects of Illumination on Base Energy Balance in Polar Regions.Andrew Dean · UCF SPRK 101
– Polyhedral Gravitational Modelling Validated with FreeFlyer for Earth-like BodiesMicah Boudreau · UCF SPRK 101
Space Vehicle Engineering5 presentations · SPRK 229
– The Astrodynamics and Space Technology Research & Analysis (ASTRA) Lab at UCFProf. Paula do Vale Pereira · UCF SPRK 229
– Project Neptune: Design and Development of a Full-Scale Collegiate Sea-Based Launch VehicleSachin Saravanan and Alex Plant · UCF SPRK 229
– Powering the Skies: Hydrogen Fuel Cells and the Future of Passenger AviationElham Hasani · UCF SPRK 229
– KLEO-1: UCF’s First Student SatelliteMartin Fernandez-Stoll · UCF SPRK 229
– Rapid Orbit Motion Emulator (ROME)Keanu Brayman · UCF SPRK 229
Space Vehicle Engineering – Plume Effects4 presentations · SPRK 305
– Plume Surface Interactions of Transverse Gas Flow Over Charged Lunar Regolith SimulantCody Bevilacqua · UCF SPRK 305
– Investigation of Laser Power Loss From Suspended Lunar RegolithOwen Baylor · UCF SPRK 305
– Geotechnical Properties of Lunar Regolith Simulants and Their Influence on CohesionAndrew Klein · UCF SPRK 305
– Rapid In-Situ Identification of Lunar Surface Resources and Contaminants Using Mid-Infrared OPTIR SpectroscopyChristopher Duffey · UCF SPRK 305
Management3 presentations · SPRK 122
– PaaS as an Economic Framework for Lunar DevelopmentJim Plaxco · Chicago Society for Space Studies (CSSS) SPRK 122
– Partnering with Universities and IndustryMr. Ted Delgado SPRK 122
– Spaceport Location Suitability, Space Launch Complex & Spaceport AnalyticsCharles Major · UCF SPRK 122
Physical Sciences6 presentations · SPRK 326
– Exploring Io’s Accretion and Evolution with MELTSGabriel Struhar · UCF SPRK 326
– SMASHSpec: A Testbed for Actively-Stabilized Extreme Precision Radial Velocity SpectrographsEma Vo · UCF SPRK 326
– Shape Model of the Near-Equal Binary Near-Earth Asteroid (190166) 2005 UP156Dr. Antoine Bourget · UCF SPRK 326
– Smoothing parameter optimization for inverting Fredholm integral equations in light scatteringCameron Kelley · UCF SPRK 326
– Impacts of Experimental Factors on the Simulated Space Weathering of Carbonaceous Chondrite MeteoritesAngelina Minocha · UCF SPRK 326
– HelioComb – A Laser Frequency Comb Heterodyne Spectrometer for Kilohertz Resolution Solar ObservationsRobert Conwell · UCF SPRK 326
Life6 presentations · SPRK 324
– Passive Arm-Leg Coupling Exosuit for Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Following SpaceflightJannah Barakat · UCF SPRK 324
– Preparing Artemis astronauts for geologic fieldwork, sample collection, and lunar regolith analyses at the only terrestrial analog crater with basaltic ejectaDr. Shawn Wright SPRK 324
– Effect of Increasing Nutrient Concentration on Ocimum Basilicum Seeds in Lunar Regolith SimulantMs. Sachita Saravanan · UCF SPRK 324
– Culture in Orbit: How Diversity and Time Shape Team Interaction in SpaceflightProfessor Shawn Burke · UCF SPRK 324
– A Kidney Stone in Microgravity — Examining Physical and Chemical Properties of Calcium Crystals Formed in MicrogravityReese Laushot · UCF SPRK 324
– Effects Of Simulated Microgravity And Caffeine On Actin Filament MechanicsPedro Henrrique Rodriguez · UCF SPRK 324
Closing Activities4–5 p.m. · SPRK Building
– Networking, posters and farewell SPRK Building
– Takedown SPRK Building

Event Endorsements