Green Bay Reporter

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will host the 35th Annual Wisconsin Space Conference on August 22, 2025. The event, themed “The Power to Explore: Energy for Space Operations,” will focus on energy solutions for future space missions.

The conference is open to the public and brings together scientists, engineers, educators, students, and industry leaders. Attendees will see student research presentations and learn about how Wisconsin businesses are contributing to the regional workforce and supporting NASA’s Artemis program as well as other scientific missions.

Lindsay Kaldon, Fission Surface Power project manager at NASA Glenn Research Center, will deliver the keynote address titled “From Earth to the Stars: Nuclear Fission Surface Power for the Moon and Mars.” Kaldon is known for her work in nuclear propulsion and radioisotope power systems.

William (Bill) J. Dirienzo, associate professor and chair in the Physics program at UW-Green Bay, stated: “We are pleased to have our WSGC partners visit our campus. Our rapidly growing programs like engineering and computer science, and other, long-established STEM programs in fields that support NASA’s Mission Directorates showcase the great people and research we have at UW-Green Bay. This also lets our students and staff find possibilities for collaboration around the state and witness how their work fits into NASA’s mission and Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) funding programs available to them. The WSGC has been a regular supporter of programs that develop talent for all students, including the Collegiate Rocket Launch team and the STEM Study Lounge that supports good study habits for students in introductory STEM courses.”

UW-Green Bay is part of the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC), a statewide alliance supported by NASA that connects researchers with resources needed to advance aerospace innovation. The consortium helps link students with funding opportunities while encouraging collaboration across institutions.

The WSGC operates within a national network funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program established by Congress in 1988. This program supports research, education, and public service projects throughout the United States.

UW-Green Bay serves more than 11,000 undergraduate through doctoral students each year across four campuses in Northeast Wisconsin. It offers over 200 academic degrees along with continuing education options for nearly 86,000 learners annually. More information about UW-Green Bay can be found at www.uwgb.edu.

For further details or registration information regarding the conference: https://www.uwgb.edu/space-conference/