Mentoring has been part of career development since people first figured out that they had to work for a living.  Younger and less experienced employees learn from their older and more experienced colleagues.  Even more than working knowledge, they absorb attitude, expectations and a feel for the work.  In the best mentoring relationships, they find personal, emotional reasons to commit themselves to the industry they work in. 

Mentoring is usually a face-to-face thing but SSPI is adapting it for the digital age.  We are sponsoring a competition among 11 teams drawn from the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS).  Their assignment: to research and report on the technical and cost feasibility of putting satellites around Mars as a foundation for exploration and colonization.  The teams are enrolled in 10 universities across the US and are competing for cash prizes that SSPI will present in November at SpaceVision 2015, the annual SEDS conference. 

Why satellites around Mars?  Because it’s about satellite.  Because it’s cool.   We were hoping that a half-dozen teams would volunteer for the project.  Nearly twice that number came forward, which is a very good sign.

The young people, of course, are responsible for the outcome of their work.  But standing by their side are SSPI members serving as mentors.  They are participating in conference calls and Web conferences.  They will review the teams’ work and offer advice and guidance.  Together, they will select the three winning teams who will be honored in November. 

I can’t thank them enough for sharing their valuable time and expertise, especially given the major responsibilities many of them carry.  Many are members of the Satellite Hall of Fame, or former Mentors of the Year or Promise Award winners.  Take a moment to see who they are and learn more about them on our Mentors page. 

Joseph Amor, Vice President and General Manager, Microspace Communications

Edward Ashford, Ashford Aerospace Consulting

Dr. Denis Curtin

Tom Eaton, Vice President of International Sales, Telesat

Ed Horowitz, Chairman, Fairpoint Communications

Susan Irwin, President, Irwin Consulting

Brian Mengwasser, Engineer, Innovation Projects, SES

Clay Mowry, President, Arianespace, Inc.

Chris Stott, Chairman & CEO, Mansat

Paul Unger, President, Paul Unger NBS Search

Dr. David Whalen, Associate Professor, Space Studies, University of North Dakota