The Future of Human Spaceflight: A Moderated Panel

Social Science Researcher
Founder of Deep Space Predictive Research Group

An innovator and orchestrator connecting cross-disciplinary ideas, Alires Almon fuses a deep passion for science’s opportunities with the emerging pathways delivered by technological progression. Alires founded Deep Space Predictive Research Group to push the boundaries of social science and behavioral technologies to be utilized in space mission planning. Alires is a member of Colorado Space Business Roundtable and served as chair for three years. She served as Partner Director of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at the Iliff School of Theology. As a co-author of the award-winning response to the DARPA/NASA RFP for the 100 Year Starship Project, Alires focuses her contributions on the psychological impacts of long-term space travel. Alires is pursuing a Ph.D. in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology.

CEO & Founder of Red Canyon Engineering & Software

Inspired as a young boy watching astronauts land on the Moon, Barry has always been passionate about helping humankind explore space and understand our place in the universe. A Colorado native, Barry grew up in Colorado Springs and attended the Air Force Academy and University of Colorado Boulder in pursuit of being a spaceman.

After graduation, Barry headed to Silicon Valley to start his first industry role with Lockheed Missiles and Space Company developing software for the THAAD missile simulation. He worked at Offutt AFB, Schriever AFB, and Raytheon developing weather software and spacecraft mission management software. He headed back to Colorado with Lockheed Space to develop the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) software for Mars 98, which ultimately crashed. This experience has served as motivation ever since. Despite adversity, in 2000 Barry was inspired to create Red Canyon with two co-founders and in 20 years has grown RC to be the outstanding engineering services company that it is today. Mars or bust!

Chief Safety Officer & Senior Vice President of Mission & Quality Assurance at Sierra Space

Angie Wise is responsible for System Safety Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Quality Assurance and Software Assurance for all Sierra Space programs, including the Dream Chaser® spaceplane and habitation elements for the world’s first commercial space station. She also leads the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) organization, which is integrated into her organization. Angie joined the company in 2013.

Prior to joining Sierra Space, Angie worked for NASA on multiple missions, including the development of science missions that are flying on the International Space Station, the development of a thermal protection material and repair method for the Space Shuttles and the development of the Space Launch System which will be used to take crew members back to the Moon. Angie was also the Deputy Chief S&MA Officer for the NASA Ares I-X mission.

Angie holds a bachelor of science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.