Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
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Founded | October 30, 1980 |
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Founder | Peter Diamandis, Robert D. Richards, and Todd B. Hawley |
Type | Student Organization |
Focus | "to promote the exploration and development of space" |
Origins | Started at MIT and expanded by letter to Omni magazine |
Area served | Worldwide |
Method | Student Collaboration and Connections with Space Companies |
Members | 10,000+ |
Key people | Sara Alvarado (current SEDS-USA Chair), Chimira Andres (current SEDS-Canada Chair), Arjun Raizada (current SEDS-India Chair), Holly Whitehouse (current UKSEDS Chair), Aleksandar Tashkovski (current Macedonian SEDS Chair) |
Endowment | USA: $1,290,000 |
Website | seds.org, ukseds.org, sedsturkiye.com |
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is a
History
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space was founded in 1980 at
1980s
SEDS was founded on September 17, 1980, primarily by
1990s
During the 1990s, SEDS continued to host a national conference each year, sometimes in conjunction with the International Space Development Conference through 1997, when the last "SEDS National Conference" was held (conferences would re-appear 7 years later as the "SEDS SpaceVision Conference"). UKSEDS continued to have national conferences at rotating locations each year. During the last years of the decade, there was a major decline in SEDS leadership and a connected drop in the number of member chapters around the United States.
2000s
In 2004, the SEDS National Conferences were re-established by MITSEDS and hosted on the campus of the
Active SEDS-USA projects
SEDS-USA organizes annual and rolling projects to engage its members in space-related activities. Two such projects are:
SEDS High-Power Rocketry Competition
This is a competition between chapters designed to challenge students in high-power rocketry.[12] The goal of the competition is to launch a rocket, designed and built by the chapter members, to an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea-level. This competition has now successfully been running since 2011. The winner of the 2012 competition was Purdue-SEDS.
Student NewSpace Business Plan Competition
Started in 2011, this competition is co-organized with the
International branches
SEDS is organized by country, region, and chapter. There is a large contingent of SEDS chapters in the United States, which are governed regionally and nationally by SEDS-USA. SEDS India has nine SEDS chapters under it and is headquartered at Vellore Institute of Technology. UKSEDS is composed of five regions across the United Kingdom and has its headquarters at the British Interplanetary Society HQ in London. There are other national sections of SEDS across the world, notably SEDS-Canada, SEDS South Africa, and SEDS Zimbabwe, which has four chapters and a junior chapter. Student leaders of the international groups convene as SEDS-Earth, the global governing body of SEDS. SEDS is an organization member of the Alliance for Space Development.[15]
SEDS-USA
Type | Non Profit Student Organization |
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Focus | "To promote the exploration and development of space." |
Area served | USA |
Method | Student Collaboration |
Website | http://seds.org/ |
SEDS-USA is the governing body of all chapters in the United States, and is the largest and original branch of SEDS. It is overseen by a national Board of Directors, Board of Advisors and a Board of Trustees. An integral aspect of SEDS-USA is the Council of Chapters (CoC). This council consists of national representatives of each chapter and is led by the Chair of the Council of Chapters. The CoC meets via teleconference to exchange updates between individual chapters and the national board. The 2022–23 national directors of SEDS-USA are listed below.[16]
Position | Description | Board Member |
---|---|---|
Chair | Preside over board and oversee decision-making process. | Audrey Scott |
Vice-Chair | Alumni and Advisers liaison. Leads fundraising efforts. | Alice Wade (University of New Hampshire) |
Treasurer | Keep financial records and control legal and financial matters. | Rohan Gupta |
Chair of the Council of Chapters | Conduct CoC meetings and work with SEDS-USA chapters. | Griffin Hentzen |
Secretary | Set up meeting rooms for SEDS-USA national meetings and take minutes. | Nathan Drzadinski |
Member At-Large (1) | Work on general tasks that require action within SEDS-USA. | Andres Permuy |
Member At-Large (2) | Work on general tasks that require action within SEDS-USA. | Raul Mariani (Case Western Reserve) |
UKSEDS
Founded | 1988 |
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Type | Non Profit Student Organization |
Focus | "To promote the exploration and development of space." |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Method | Student Collaboration |
Members | 1400+ |
Key people | Holly Whitehouse (Chair),
Isaac Caletrio Berridge (Vice-Chair), Yash Kumar (Treasurer), Raniah Ahmed (Secretary), Ahlam Abdi (Exec At-Large), Divyanshi Gupta (Exec At-Large) |
Website | https://ukseds.org |
UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS) is the UK's national student space society.[17] They support students and enthusiasts across the United Kingdom by running space projects, hosting conferences and workshops, and doing outreach to inspire and educate. They build links between different parts of the space community within the UK and internationally.[18] Their current chair is Holly Whitehouse.
UKSEDS began in 1988, when several students who had attended
UKSEDS is headed by an Executive Committee elected for one-year terms at our Annual General Meeting during our annual conference, and a Board of External Trustees appointed for three-year terms. The current committee was elected at the 35th conference in March 2023.[19]
Position | Description | Executive Member |
---|---|---|
Chair | Preside over the board and ensure adherence to the Constitution. | Holly Whitehouse ( University of Durham - Graduated 2021)
|
Vice-Chair | Provide support and assistance to the Chair in their duties. | Isaac Caletrio Berridge (Open University) |
Treasurer | Oversee the financial administration of UKSEDS. | Yash Kumar (University of Hertfordshire - Graduated 2021) |
Secretary | Document Board meeting minutes and distributing meeting material | Raniah Ahmed (University of Bristol) |
Exec At-Large | Work on general tasks that require action within UKSEDS. | Ahlam Abdi (King's College London - Graduated 2023) |
Exec At-Large | Work on general tasks that require action within UKSEDS. | Divyanshi Gupta (University of Edinburgh) |
SEDS-Canada
SEDS-Canada is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization based in Toronto, Canada, whose mandate is to advocate for the exploration and development of space through non-partisan political advocacy, conferences, student competitions, and chapter grants. The organization was initiated in early 1981 by entrepreneur Bob Richards, and it was re-established in 2014 by a group of students from the University of Toronto and the University of Western Ontario, after several years of inactivity. SEDS-Canada currently has eleven university chapters operating across the country.
As part of their advocacy goals, SEDS-Canada seeks to engage Canadian policy makers and electoral candidates at all levels of government in a multi-year effort with the aim of defending cuts to good space policy, and campaigning for new policies to ensure Canadian leadership in niche areas of space exploration and development.
SEDS-Turkey
Space Exploration and Development of Space Turkey, founded in March 2017 by Hadican Çatak at Hacettepe University, is the first and only national space, and entrepreneurial organization with its 350+ active members and branches in 8 universities as of January 2019.
SEDS TR's goal is to gather all interested undergraduates, master's degree students, and doctoral students and to carry out tasks that help them improve their career prospects in their field of activity by establishing a common working platform.
In order to reach this goal, SEDS TR has been working on engineering projects, organizing events and extending its area of effect by founding SEDS organizations in universities throughout Turkey and in respect to this, SEDS is trying to make operations and work done mentioned above accessible to every other student in Turkey.[21]
SEDS-UAE
The SEDS-UAE Chapter is based at the Our Own English High School in Abu Dhabi. This chapter was founded by a high school student, Nishirth Khandwala. Members of SEDS UAE engage themselves in various activities and programs such as the International Asteroid Search Campaign.[22][23]
SEDS South Africa
SEDS-South Africa is South Africa's national student Space society, and is the governing body of all SEDS chapters in South Africa. SEDS South Africa is made up of students and young professionals in Southern Africa who are interested in Space exploration and development. This includes engaging government policymakers, amateur satellite building, model rocketry, manufacturing in Space, student and young professionals collaboration, connecting with the Space industry, ham amateur radio, analogue Space missions, Space exploration, and Space technology to benefit humankind.
SEDS South Africa facilitates the education of people about the benefits of Space, by supporting a network of interested students and young professionals, and providing opportunities to inspire them and develop their leadership skills. SEDS South Africa's founding branch is the University of Cape Town, SEDS-SA-UCT. Branches include:
- SEDS-SA-Wits,
- SEDS-SA-UP, and
- SEDS-SA-UCT.
SEDS India
Type | Non Profit Student Organization |
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Focus | "To promote the exploration and development of space" |
Headquarters | VIT, Vellore |
Area served | INDIA |
Method | Student Collaboration |
Key people | Dr. Geetha Manivasagam (Trustee of SEDS India) |
Website | https://www.sedsindia.org/ |
SEDS-India is the governing body of SEDS in India with its headquarters at
The main outreach program of SEDS India is called OneSpace. OneSpace was founded to spread awareness about and engagement with space among underprivileged children in rural India and children residing in local orphanages. Attempts have also been made by SEDS India to outreach to northeast India, where access to space education and technical projects is more difficult. These efforts were led with the help of Angaraj Duara, an alumnus of Maharishi Vidyamandir Shilpukhuri, Guwahati, and established seven chapters in Assam. They are the Army Public School Narangi, Sharla Birla Gyan Jyoti School Guwahati, IIT-Guwahati, Handique Girls College, Royal Global Institute - RSET Guwahati, Donbosco Public School Panbazar and Tezpur University. SEDS-APSN was the first chapter in northeast India. A separate SEDS-NorthEast governing body oversees activities in the northeast.
SEDS (Singapore)
Type | Non Profit Student Organization |
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Area served | Singapore |
Key people | |
Website | http://seds-sg.space |
SEDS (Singapore), founded in July 2019 by Vairavan Ramanathan and Nick Lee from National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University respectively, is the first and only national space and entrepreneurial organization in Singapore. The goal of SEDS Singapore is to provide a platform for students of all backgrounds based in Singapore to actively participate in ushering in a new space age.
Currently, there are 3 SEDS chapters under SEDS (Singapore). NUS SEDS based in National University of Singapore. SEDS-NTU based in Nanyang Technological University. SEDS-SUTD based in Singapore University of Technology and Design.
Current Active Projects of SEDS (Singapore):
Project | Chapter |
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Mars Rover Challenge | SEDS-NUS |
High Altitude Balloon | SEDS-NTU |
SEDS Sri Lanka
Founded | September 2018 |
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Founder | Amila Sandun Basnayaka and Thilan Harshana |
Type | Student Organization |
Focus | "Bringing together students of many disciplines from all corners of the country to celebrate student shared passion for all things about space" |
Area served | Sri Lanka |
Members | 1000+ |
Key people | Thashmila Araliya (Chair),
Thilangi Kasthuriarachchi (Vice-Chair), Pubudika Wickramasingha (Secretary), Rashane Pintoe (Vice-Secretary), Vanodhya Warnasooriya (Chair of the Council of Chapters), Ajan Eshwara (Treasurer) |
Website | http://sedssl.lk |
The most widespread astronomy related organization in Sri Lanka, SEDS Sri Lanka provides myriad opportunities to enthusiastic school children and university undergraduates alike. Founded in September 2018 by then graduate, Amila Sandun Basnayake and undergraduate, Thilan Harshana, currently the main organization SEDS Sri Lanka governs 16 chapters established under it. Hailing from a number of government and private universities, as well as a separate chapter for school children named SEDS Juniors, a wide range of activities are carried out throughout the year.
Evolving rapidly into an island-wide platform that serves to educate, provide opportunity for participation in multi-level events, further aspirations professionally and academically, as well as an ideal method to explore all aspects related to aviation and aerospace, SEDS Sri Lanka is a perfect place for anyone to develop their interests in this field.
These opportunities are represented in many ways such as both onsite and online workshops, SEDS Space Talks, competitions and citizen scientist ventures and educational programs for juniors. Among these, it is of importance to note the first high altitude balloon launched by Sri Lanka, under the project SERENDIB 1.0, the Hackathon, NASA Space Apps conducted in collaboration with NASA, and the numerous asteroid hunts held in collaboration with Pan-STARRS.
SEDS SL Chapter | Affiliated University |
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SEDS Mora | University of Moratuwa |
SEDS Pera | University of Peradeniya |
SEDS Agni | South Eastern University of Sri Lanka |
SEDS Kelaniya | University of Kelaniya |
SEDS Sabra | University of Sabaragamuwa |
SEDS SLIIT | SLIIT |
SEDS Wayamba | Wayamba University of Sri Lanka |
SEDS Yarl | University of Jaffna |
SEDS OUSL | Open University of Sri Lanka |
SEDS SLTC | Sri Lanka Technology Campus
|
SEDS Ruhuna | University of Ruhuna |
SEDS Ocean | Ocean University of Sri Lanka |
SEDS UOC | University of Colombo |
SEDS NSBM | NSBM |
SEDS J'pura | University of Sri Jayewardenepura |
SEDS Juniors |
SEDS Philippines
Founded | March 30, 2021 |
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Founder | Lovely Andeo (co-founders: Paul Kenneth Remo, Jonabel Eleanor Baldres, Karina Faith Amit, Gene Carlo Belinario, Angelika Nina Cabansag, Genesis Vertudez, Kris Kate Andoy) |
Type | Student Organization |
Area served | Philippines |
Key people | Mark Angelo Purio, Daryl Joe Santos, Gregorio Villar III (Advisors) |
Website | https://sedsph.vercel.app |
SEDS Philippines (SEDSPH) is the official Philippine chapter of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space or SEDS. It is a student-led, non-profit organization that functions to promote the idea of space exploration and space technology in the country, provide a community for students with a common interest in space, supply opportunities and networks that will enhance their skills, foster growth and confidence among them, and empower their impact in the space sector.
To reinforce these missions, SEDSPH aims to create local and international opportunities for Filipino students in the space industry.
Macedonian SEDS
Macedonian Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (MK-SEDS / МК-СИРК) is the national and regional governing body for SEDS Chapters in Macedonia and Europe.
MK-SEDS initially started in 2019 as a self-organized and student-run Macedonian Cosmic Institute at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje on the initiative of few students. On October 18, 2020, students, alumni, alumnae and youth from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Goce Delchev University of Shtip and St. Kliment Ohridski University of Bitola united in their intention to represent the force of Good, Beauty and Truth in the cosmic community of planet Earth adopted the Decision for registration of the Macedonian STUDENTS FOR THE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPACE.
The permanent Headquarters for MK-SEDS resides at the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.
SEDS Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has multiple SEDS chapters at its major universities namely University of Zimbabwe, National University of Science and Technology, Midlands State University and Chinhoyi University of Technology. It also has a junior SEDS chapter that is aimed at introducing space education to students in high schools. In December 2021, SEDS MSU was one of the 10 teams in the world to be part of the Global Satellite Tracking Initiative where they were recipients of equipment to set up a ground station at Midlands State University.
Notable student leaders
- Jeff Bezos, Princeton[24]
- Eric C. Anderson, Co-Founder and Chairman of Virginia-based Space Adventures, Ltd., the first commercial spaceflight company—whilst enrolled as a student at the University of Virginia, he started a chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space.[25]
See also
- Outer space
- Yuri's Night
- Space Frontier Foundation
- National Space Society
- The Planetary Society
- Mars Society
- NewSpace
- Peter Diamandis
- Robert D. Richards
- Todd B. Hawley
References
- ^ "What is SEDS?". seds.org. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- ^ Diamandis, P., "Space Interest Group for Students," Omni, July 1981, pp 14-15 Archived May 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ About SEDS
- ^ "Logbook Cover and Meeting Minutes," 1980, SEDS History Project Archived May 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "SEDS 1982 Program Documents", 1982, SEDS History Project Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "SEDS 1989 History", 1989, SEDS History Project Archived May 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "SpaceVision 2004 Website", 2004, MITSEDS.
- ^ "SEDS SpaceVision Conference Notes", 2008, SEDS Wiki Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "SpaceVision 2014 website"
- ^ "Mizzou SEDS blasts to SpaceVision 2018 to build a better space". November 15, 2018.
- ^ "Spacevision 2019". SEDS-AU. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "SEDS High-Power Rocketry Competition" Archived November 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Student NewSpace Business Plan Competition" Archived September 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Student NewSpace Business Plan Competition - 2011 Winners"
- ^ "ASD Members", Alliance for Space Development, January 26, 2015, retrieved March 4, 2015
- ^ "SEDS-USA Board and Staff".
- ^ "Front Page - UKSEDS". May 11, 2018.
- ^ "Who We Are - UKSEDS". October 27, 2018.
- ^ "NSSC 2023 - Ukseds". November 21, 2022.
- ^ "UKSEDS Management - UKSEDS". May 8, 2018.
- ^ "SEDS Türkiye".
- ^ "SEDSUAE website".
- ^ "IASC website".
- ^
Whoriskey, Peter (August 12, 2013). "For Jeff Bezos, a new frontier". Washington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
At Princeton, the high achiever seemed to continue his geeky triumphs. He was president of a club called Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. He was elected to two honor societies, Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi. He graduated summa cum laude.
[dead link] - ^ De Lollis, Barbara (October 17, 2007). "Executive Suite: He's over the moon about space tourism". USA Today. Retrieved March 28, 2012.