Exploring the Boundless Opportunities and Potential of Space

Shelli Brunswick has over two decades of experience in space technology and a deep vision of the global space ecosystem. From being the space acquisition and program management leader at the U.S. Air Force to her current role as the chief operating officer at Space Foundation, Brunswick’s career journey has empowered her to advocate for space technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

In an interview with Aerospace and Defense Review, Brunswick highlights the latest trends and potential challenges in the space and aviation industry. She shares insights into initiatives to mitigate these challenges and help people navigate the industry dynamics.

How do you think the rapid digitalization in the aviation industry is impacting the space exploration sector?

The rapid digitalization in the aviation industry can have profound implications for the space exploration sector. By leveraging advanced data analytics, improved connectivity, simulators, robotics, and cybersecurity measures, we can enhance mission planning, operational efficiency, astronaut training, and overall mission success.

When applied to space exploration, digitalization can empower seamless communication between spacecraft, satellites, ground stations, and mission control centers to ensure efficient data transmission and collaboration among space agencies and international partners. The use of data analytics can further boost safety, efficiency, and informed decision-making, while machine learning algorithms can help analyze the data to glean crucial insights for resource allocation and risk management, triggering a complete revamp of the space industry.

Today, the aviation industry’s reliance on simulation and virtual training environments for pilot preparation and operational strategizing is significantly elevating safety standards, optimizing mission results, and broadening our comprehension of the cosmos.

By replicating various flight conditions and emergencies, AR and VR simulations, on the other hand, are enabling pilots to practice critical decision-making and improve situational awareness and development. From immersing pilots in highly realistic virtual environments, to recreating the look and feel of a cockpit in different terrains and weather conditions, the benefits of simulations are numerous. They enable pilots to familiarize themselves with diverse aircraft models, explore a range of flight scenarios, and engage in particular simulations such as complex space maneuvers like space rendezvous and docking, or emulating emergency scenarios. This encourages the cultivation of critical thinking, team coordination, and adaptability to fluctuating space conditions. The display of instrument readings, navigational aids, and guided systems directly within the pilot’s line of sight further enhances their capacity for rapid and precise information processing.

Safe aerospace operations can be further attributed to the developments in automation and robotics in the industry. Advancements in robotic systems help in planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and space station maintenance, like robots to perform tasks in hazardous or remote environments over human astronauts. Automated systems enhance space situational awareness, enabling better tracking and monitoring of space debris, satellite positioning, and potential threats to spacecraft. All it takes is a few collisions to create a chain reaction that prevents us from having access to space, so alleviating potential satellite collisions is also crucial.

What is your opinion on the growing importance and effectiveness of sustainable practices in the aviation and space industry?

Through comprehensive monitoring of the Earth’s climate patterns, deforestation, pollution levels, ocean health, and natural disasters, space assets are providing valuable data for scientists and policymakers to mitigate environmental risks and develop sustainable strategies for resource management.

Critical insights into climate change processes and their impact remarkably measure atmospheric greenhouse gasses, temperature patterns, melting ice caps, and changes in sea levels to formulate effective climate change mitigation strategies. Such data can also bolster early warning systems for natural disasters, accelerating emergency disaster preparedness, and curtailing the social and economic fallout of such events.

These observations have also proven to immensely contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security as remote sensing satellite data monitors crop health, optimizes irrigation, assesses soil moisture levels, and detects pest outbreaks to assist farmers in making informed decisions and reducing resource wastage. A case in point is the 2020 African Food Prize laureate Dr. Catherine Nakalembe’s study was on a similar topic—helping Africans use space technology to increase their crop yields and do better management.

This shows the benefits of space assets are not confined to observing the planet’s climate issues, but resolving them through space-based solar panels. Satellites equipped with solar panels can capture sunlight in space and convert it into electricity and transmit the energy back to Earth through wireless power transmissions. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is leading this initiative in the U.S.

Through projects such as these, space technology is making substantial contributions toward achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

What are some of the challenges in the realm of satellites that can potentially affect the space industry?

With rising space activity and satellite missions, orbital debris has heightened. Although implementing measures such as responsible satellite disposal, active debris removal, and improved space traffic management is vital, the initial step to avoiding space debris should be preventing it from happening in the first place.

The growing demand for space services has also led to competition for spectrum resources, and allocation and management of radio frequency spectrum for satellite communication has become challenging. Growing effective coordination and cooperation among satellite operators, regulatory bodies, and governments are necessary to control it.

Despite the surging demand for space services, developing countries are still struggling to attain them due to high launch costs. The space industry needs continued efforts to reduce launch costs through innovation, such as reusable rockets and more efficient launch vehicles. Streamlined regulatory processes are also important in this regard, as adhering to every country’s evolving legal and regulatory frameworks can be costly and time-consuming. Space Foundation has partnered with an organization called MILO Space Science Institute, which helps emerging space nations or organizations and developing countries have access to launch services and provide a comprehensive workforce solution to a lot of countries.

With these potential transformations and challenges, how do you envision the future of aerospace?

The aviation and space sectors are dealing with a workforce shortage, skills deficiency, and an innovation gap. Space Foundation partnered with a non-profit educational organization, Shades of Blue, dedicated to mentoring, tutoring, counseling, and arranging internship and employment referrals for young people who desire to pursue science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and design. Another organization that’s doing some work to create that workforce pipeline is Denver International Airport. The space is open for business and careers, and the Space Foundation advocates to help everyone get into it.

What are some of your experiences that empowered you to gain deep expertise in space program management?

One of the first lessons I learned is, to be a successful space program manager, you must build and maintain relationships. When you lead a team, you are dealing with a diverse matrix of people, from engineers to financial managers. So, you require different communication styles. One of my methods is to listen, learn, and lead—listen to people, understand what they say, learn what they’re saying, and ultimately lead the discussion.

“The aviation industry’s reliance on simulation and virtual training environments for pilot preparation and operational strategizing significantly is significantly elevating safety standards, optimizing mission results, and broadening our comprehension of the cosmos.”

Another lesson was to get out from behind your desk. Especially at a time when remote working is prevalent, people need to get out of communicating through emails and power points and directly talk to people and build relationships. Being a leader or a program manager is not just about technical skills, but soft skills, which I call essential skills.

How do you perceive the adoption of this virtual fleet training is contributing to aviation safety?

Comprehensive system testing and validation of spacecraft systems using simulations is the biggest contributor to aviation safety. Robust modeling and simulation allow engineers to analyze operational conditions, test the performance of critical systems, and identify potential design flaws or limitations. They also interpret and analyze astronomical observations by modeling complex astrophysical phenomena to help scientists understand the behavior of celestial objects, simulate cosmic events, and investigate the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets.

By providing a virtual platform for testing and evaluating prototypes, engineers can simulate the performance of spacecraft components. They optimize the aerodynamics, thermal management, structural integrity, and overall functionality of spacecraft.

What would be your piece of advice to your fellow peers in the aviation, satellite, simulation, and military training sectors?

Peter Ducker said culture eats strategy for breakfast. It applies to leaders in aviation and space as well. They must foster a culture of innovation that values and promotes innovation throughout the organization. It creates an environment where individuals feel empowered to think creatively, take calculated risks, and challenge the status quo.

It is imperative to remember that when a crew goes to space, thousands are working behind them. So, encouraging teamwork and collaboration contributes to a project’s success. Innovative training approaches focusing on collaborative exercises, and simulations can help enhance teamwork skills. Virtual environments can facilitate remote collaboration and training across different locations.

Leaders should also come up with innovative ideas to keep up with the changes in the industry and foster a learning culture, like attending conferences, participating in workshops, and pursuing certifications. At Space Foundation, we have a workforce development roadmap on five activities: awareness, access, training, connecting, and mentoring. It creates awareness in people of the opportunities for them in the space or aviation industry, and access points for them to come in, like a scholarship or an award, encouraging them to constantly learn and build relationships.