Dr. Steven Collicott has been named the new chair of the Suborbital Applications Researchers Group (SARG) following Dr. Alan Stern, who has stepped down after the completion of his term as the founding chairman. In addition, Dr. Makenzie Lystrup has been named vice-chair of the committee. Dr. Collicott is an experimentalist in fluid dynamics, and is currently a professor at Purdue University in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Lystrup is a planetary astronomer, and the Space Sciences Business Development Manager at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
SARG is composed of experienced scientists, researchers, and educators who are dedicated to furthering the research and education potential of commercial suborbital launch vehicles. SARG aims to increase awareness of these vehicles in the science, engineering, technology, and education communities, and the group routinely works with policy and decision makers to ensure that payloads have easy access to these platforms.
“I want to thank Dr. Alan Stern and his staff at the Southwest Research Institute for the dedication to SARG that has made this group a success for the researcher community and for CSF,” stated Commercial Spaceflight Federation President, Michael Lopez-Alegria. “Congratulations to Dr. Collicott and Dr. Lystrup; I have no doubt that they will continue to strengthen SARG’s role in serving both industry and researchers while expanding its reach within the science communities.”
“Dr. Makenzie Lystrup and I are delighted to move into leadership roles for SARG. We have both been active in SARG in the past, and are honored to take the helm,” stated Dr. Steven Collicott. “The vision and excellent leadership of Alan Stern has made SARG the leading science group in the suborbital community, and we will continue to advocate and educate on the potential of these vehicles and their critical role in science and education.”
About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The CSF’s member companies – which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers and service providers – are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. For more information please visit www.commercialspaceflight.org or contact Executive Director Alex Saltman at saltman@commercialspaceflight.org or at 202.347.1096.
