Encouraging Legal Awareness in STEM Graduates: Lessons Learned from Space Generation Congress 2014

Paper number

IAC-15,E1,5,3,x28525

Author

Mr. Adam Vigneron, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Canada

Coauthor

Ms. Nikita Sardesai, University of Sydney, Australia

Coauthor

Mr. Jacob Hacker, University of Sydney, Australia

Coauthor

Mr. Martin Losekamm, Technische Universität München, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Christopher Johnson, Secure World Foundation, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Robert Bell, Society of Satellite Professionals International, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Daniel Rey, Canadian Space Agency, Canada

Year

2015

Abstract

An ongoing challenge in the aerospace sector is the need for STEM graduates to familiarize themselves with the legal and political realities that will permeate their careers.  At the recent Space Generation Congress, students and young professionals were challenged by a role-playing exercise as they examined the legal and regulatory framework surrounding on-orbit servicing -- itself a topical field of study.  This paper will present lessons learned from this innovative approach to workforce development.

First, the specific benefits of education-through-simulation will be highlighted using  examples from the Congress experience.  Notable among these benefits were the experience of intense research and preparation, the realisation of tension between simulation stakeholders, the exposure to the dynamic nature of real-world relations and regulatory hearings, and the encouragement of debate between STEM and policy graduates.  As a test of this educational tool's ability to generate valid research results, a critical examination of the resulting recommendations will be presented using perspectives from the project's industry and agency advisors.  Finally, recommendations will be provided regarding opportunities for this method to be applied for the future development of the global space workforce.

Abstract document

IAC-15,E1,5,3,x28525.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-15,E1,5,3,x28525.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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