LIVE: NASA Joins Oshkosh Aviation Event

NASA Aeronautics at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024: A Week of Innovation and Inspiration

Welcome to our comprehensive coverage of NASA Aeronautics’ participation in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, often referred to simply as Oshkosh. This live update page will keep you informed about NASA’s events and activities throughout this exciting week.

Day 3 Highlights: July 24, 2024

8:30 p.m. EDT – Fun Fact and Day Wrap-Up

Did you know that during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh week, the airspace over Oshkosh, Wisconsin, becomes the busiest on the planet? The sheer volume of takeoffs, landings, and airshow activities transforms the local airport into a hive of aviation excitement. That’s a wrap for Day 3 of NASA’s activities. We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates.

5:30 p.m. EDT – Unique Careers at NASA Panel

A panel titled "Unique Careers at NASA" highlighted the diversity of career opportunities at NASA that extend beyond traditional STEM roles. This session aimed to show that you don’t need to be a scientist, pilot, astronaut, or engineer to contribute significantly to NASA’s mission.

Panelists:

• April Lanotte (Moderator): STEM integration lead for NASA Aeronautics and a former teacher.
• Dustin Hitt: Engagement specialist for NASA’s Langley Research Center, with a background as a US Navy corpsman and civilian medic.
• Jessica Arreola: Digital and public engagement lead for NASA Aeronautics, fluent in Spanish.
• Andrew Carlsen: Multimedia producer for NASA Aeronautics, with experience in advertising and videography.
• Carimanda Cephas: External stakeholder engagement lead for NASA Aeronautics, previously a crisis communications specialist.
• Robin Hertz: Librarian at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, with a background in teaching and history.

  Each panelist shared their unique journey to NASA, emphasizing that a passion for STEM can be combined with other interests to create a fulfilling career. For instance, Robin Hertz, a research librarian, spoke about her transition from a background in education and history to a pivotal role at NASA. Jessica Arreola highlighted the importance of bilingualism in her career, sharing how her ability to speak Spanish has been a significant asset in public engagement.

  4 p.m. EDT – Women at NASA Panel

  The day began with an inspiring panel featuring women leaders at NASA Aeronautics. These four women discussed their career paths, experiences, and advice for young people aspiring to STEM leadership roles.

  Panelists:

• Barbara Esker: With a 35-year career at NASA, she has seen X-planes evolve from concepts to real aircraft.
• Kate McMurtry: Emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing one’s strengths.
• Gaudy Bezos-O’Connor: Spoke about the importance of self-awareness and continuous learning in leadership.
• Brenda Henderson: Shared how an adventurous spirit and willingness to take risks have driven her innovative research.

  The panel emphasized that leadership is not just about confidence but also about creating a supportive environment for team growth. Brenda Henderson’s story of leaving her small town in Alaska to pursue challenging research at NASA is a testament to the value of an adventurous spirit.

  1 p.m. EDT – Attendance Milestone

  The NASA Pavilion reached a significant milestone in visitor attendance, a testament to the public’s interest in NASA’s work and the engaging activities offered.

  11 a.m. EDT – KidVenture Activities

  Inspired by NASA test pilot Nils Larson’s talk on the impact of teachers, a visit to KidVenture revealed hands-on STEM activities for kids. These activities included throwing paper airplanes with a remote-controlled robot and playing robot soccer, sparking curiosity and excitement among young visitors.

  9 a.m. EDT – Morning Briefing

  Good morning from Day 3 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. The weather is overcast and chilly, but the sun is expected to shine just in time for the air show. Stay tuned for a packed day of NASA activities.

  Day 2 Highlights: July 23, 2024
  

  8 p.m. EDT – Evening Wrap-Up

  Despite a brief afternoon rain, the NASA Pavilion remained busy. The day ended with the sight of warbirds and a modern F-22, bringing Day 2 to a thrilling close.

  5 p.m. EDT – Flying into Oshkosh

  NASA’s Kate McMurtry and her husband flew their single-engine Vans RV-7A airplane to Oshkosh, experiencing unique air traffic management. Instead of traditional radio communication, they followed a "notice to airmen" and performed the "rock your wings" signal, a thrilling tradition for pilots arriving at Oshkosh.

  3:30 p.m. EDT – NASA Administrator Visit

  NASA Administrator Bill Nelson visited the NASA Pavilion, toured exhibits, met the Oshkosh team, and engaged with the public, capturing the dynamic spirit of the event.

  1:30 p.m. EDT – Pilot Talks

  NASA pilots and an astronaut shared their inspiring journeys with kids and families. Nils Larson credited his career inspiration to a teacher who introduced him to "The Right Stuff," a book by Tom Wolfe chronicling early test pilots and astronauts.

  11 a.m. EDT – Social Media Engagement

  Follow NASA on social media for ongoing coverage of Oshkosh 2024 and updates on NASA’s aeronautics research.

  10 a.m. EDT – Morning Preparations

  The NASA team, representing aeronautics-focused field centers in California, Ohio, and Virginia, started the day with morning stretches, preparing for another day of engaging with the public.

  Day 1 Highlights: July 22, 2024
  

  10 p.m. EDT – Evening Activities

  The first full day ended with a tribute to Dick Rutan at the Theater in the Woods. Rutan, along with Jeana Yeager, made history in 1986 by flying non-stop around the world without refueling. Meanwhile, pilots and attendees retired to campsites, a hallmark of the Oshkosh experience.

  7:30 p.m. EDT – Sustainable Aviation Panel

  NASA hosted a panel on hybrid-electric airliners, discussing research on sustainable aviation technologies. Panelists from NASA, GE Aerospace, magniX, and the University of Wisconsin shared insights on developing hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft. These efforts are part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership, aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by 2050.

  4:30 p.m. EDT – X-59 Supersonic Aircraft Panel

  NASA test pilots Nils Larson and Jim Less discussed the X-59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft, part of NASA’s Quesst mission. The X-59 aims to reduce sonic booms to a "thump," potentially lifting the ban on supersonic commercial travel over land. The aircraft’s unique design includes an eXternal Vision System, replacing the traditional forward-facing window with high-definition cameras and 4K monitors.

  2:30 p.m. EDT – NASA Pavilion Activities

  Visitors to the NASA Pavilion enjoyed flight simulators, informational handouts, and opportunities to meet NASA test pilots. The pavilion also featured a panel on the Quesst mission, highlighting the potential for faster-than-sound commercial air travel.

  11:30 a.m. EDT – Welcome

  Welcome to NASA’s coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. The event is the world’s largest fly-in and airshow, with over half a million attendees expected. The NASA Pavilion is open and bustling with visitors eager to learn about NASA’s aeronautics research.

  Pre-Event: July 21, 2024
  

  8:30 p.m. EDT – Event Preview

  NASA’s participation in Oshkosh includes interactive exhibits, informative activities, and engaging personnel. For those unable to attend in person, we provide virtual coverage to bring the experience to you.

  For more detailed information about NASA’s involvement, read our preview story.

  Stay tuned for more updates and insights from NASA Aeronautics at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024.

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