2023 NASA SmallSat LEARN Forum – In-Person Forum
Connect with SmallSat LEARN Forum about 2023 NASA SmallSat LEARN Forum – In-Person Forum
NASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the goal of NASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum?NASA has extensive experience building and flying CubeSats and SmallSats but knowledge resides in individual pockets within the agency and its partners. To facilitate networking, information exchange, and collaborative learning within the NASA SmallSat Community, NASA implemented the SmallSat LEARN Forum.NASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum is a resource aimed at providing the NASA SmallSat Community with collaboration and information. LEARN stands for Learning from Experiences, Achievements,
and Resolution Navigation and through the forum we will share and learn together as a community to become smarter implementers of these missions.The goals for this forum include:- Expand personal and professional networks
- Break down barriers and silos
- Increase community awareness
- Reduce redundancies across the agency
- Increase opportunities to leverage cross-cutting capabilities and technologies across the agency’s SmallSat portfolioNASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum utilizes multiple activities to achieve the goals: virtual meetings, an annual in-person meeting, website, and online community.
- Virtual meetings: bi-monthly interactive webinar series focused on bringing in community speakers and content that will allow for thoughtful discussion and promote cross-sharing of information and lessons learned. Each virtual forum session lasts 1.5 hours and consists primarily of mission presentations and a community discussion.
- In-person meeting: yearly in-person gathering full of presentations, panel discussions, classes, workshops and networking opportunities to learn from each other and expand personal SmallSat networks.
- Website: online presence with additional information and archives to previous sessions (https://www.nasa.gov/smallsat-institute/LEARN).
- Online Community: Linked-In group to share and connect with the NASA SmallSat community (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14097449/)The intended LEARN Forum audience consists of individuals who have directly worked on or submitted proposals to work on NASA SmallSat projects and missions. This includes, but is not limited to, principal investigators, project managers, and lead systems engineers.
- Is there an option for virtual attendance to the NASA SmallSat LEARN Forum?At this time, this engagement is planned as an in-person activity only. Should things change, we will immediately notify all registered participants.
- I have a NASA issued PIV badge. Can I use that to access NASA’s Langley Research Center if I normally work at a different Center?Yes, your NASA issued PIV badge can be used for accessing NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC). A NAMS request was submitted in your name if you identified yourself as a PIV badge holder during registration for seamless access to LaRC. Present your badge to the security guards at the main gate to gain access to the Center.
- I am a US citizen or green card holder and do not have a NASA-issued PIV badge. What is the badging process at NASA’s Langley Research Center?The committee will submit a badge request for you if you identified yourself as a US Citizen or green card holder and do not have a NASA-issued PIV badge. You will need to stop by the LaRC badging office on the morning of October 11, 2023 to present a government identification and receive your badge. You will need to provide a valid form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to the badging officers. The badging office is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.If you are arriving the morning of October 11, 2023 at the start of the LEARN Forum, please understand that there may be delays at the badging office as there is limited staff available and there may be long lines. Please plan accordingly and arrive early so you do not miss the start of the LEARN Forum. Forum registration once inside the facility is scheduled from 7:30AM- 8:30AM on October 11,2023.
- I am a foreign national (not a US citizen or a green card holder). Am I approved to come to NASA’s Langley Research Center? What should I do when I arrive?Foreign national access requires time to process the request to enter the center. A representative from LaRC would contact you if you identified as a foreign national during registration and the request for registration was approved. If your registration was approved and were not contacted, please reach out to Marilyn Leeper (marilyn.leeper@nasa.gov).Part of the process for foreign nationals includes logistics for when to meet at the badging office. You will need to provide two valid government IDs (a valid passport or VISA/ESTA) to identify yourself and receive the temporary badge.Since LaRC is a US Government facility and subject to additional security requirements you will be assigned a foreign national escort (who will be a badged and trained LaRC employee) and you will be required to stay with the escort during the entirety of your visit and participation in the LEARN Forum while inside the NASA facility. One foreign national escort may be assigned to multiple foreign nationals, so please have patience with your escort and stay with the group that you are assigned. Foreign national are only allowed to be onsite between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Unfortunately, foreign nationals will be unable to attend the Afterburners mixer event on the night of October 11 starting at 6:00 PM.
- I plan on driving an electric vehicle to NASA’s Langley Research Center for the LEARN Forum. Is there a place to charge my electric vehicle on the facility or nearby?There is plenty of parking near building 2102. Unfortunately, there are no EV charging stations at LaRC. However, there are charging stations near the NASA center. Please research EV charging stations in the Hampton and Newport News area and plan accordingly.
- What lunch options are available at NASA’s Langley Research Center during the LEARN Forum?Boxed lunch can be reserved ahead of time at a cost of $13.75 per meal to be paid by the participant. The boxed lunch is not mandatory but is highly encouraged for networking purposes and seamless logistics for the forum. If a boxed lunch is not selected, the participant is responsible for obtaining lunch at the cafeteria or nearby restaurants.If you would like a boxed lunch, fill out your order for both days of the LEARN Forum. Lunches must be purchased by October 6th 4:00 pm ET.October 11th (Wednesday) Nasa Langley Lunch Tickets, Hampton | Eventbrite October 12th (Thursday) Nasa Langley Lunch Tickets, Hampton | EventbriteThe cafeteria is in the same building as the LEARN Forum and is open during the forum from 10:30 AM to 1:00PM.
- Is wireless internet available at NASA’s Langley Research Center for my phone or my computer?A printed handout will be provided during on-site registration and will include instructions for accessing the Wi-Fi network for PIV badge holders and guests. Foreign National attendees are not allowed to bring any portable recording devices on Center (laptop, cellphone, smartwatch, etc.).Please note that electrical outlets are limited so there will be limited options for charging devices during the LEARN Forum.
- I have additional questions that you haven’t answered yet. Who do I contact for more information?If you have questions about LaRC such as badging or lodging, please contact Marilyn Leeper (marilyn.leeper@nasa.gov). If you have questions about the LEARN Forum, please contact Jessica Birnberg (jessica.h.birnberg@nasa.gov).
