Lance Bush, Ph.D., Receives Space Generation Advisory Council Alumni Award

Challenger Center President and CEO Recognized for Outstanding Leadership Contributions and Support of the Space Generation Advisory Council

Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2022) – The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) has announced Lance Bush, Ph.D., President and CEO of Challenger Center, as the recipient of the 2022 SGAC Alumni Award. The award recognizes individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the SGAC community, and for demonstrating a high degree of commitment, outstanding leadership, and ongoing support of the organization. The honor was awarded at the 2022 Space Generation Congress in Paris, France.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the Space Generation Advisory Council with this year’s Alumni Award,” said Bush. “Challenger Center and SGAC share a common mission—to inspire the next generation. Today’s students and young professionals are tomorrow’s leaders and innovators, and we must ignite and foster their potential. It’s been a privilege to lead and support SGAC for more than 20 years in its vision to cultivate the views and opinions of today’s youth to ensure the advancement of humanity’s use of outer space.”

Bush was nominated by Harriet Brettle, SGAC Alumni Program Co-Lead, for playing a foundational role at SGAC. More than 20 years ago, Bush led efforts to establish and formalize SGAC after what was originally intended to be a one-time gathering of youth attending the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) in Vienna, Austria. As an active SGAC leader and member throughout the past two decades, Bush was pivotal in establishing SGAC in the United States as a 501(3)c nonprofit; then, as a global non-governmental organization. Additionally, Bush has held the role of Investment Committee Chair on the SGAC U.S. Board, advised SGAC’s U.S. activities, established the SGAC endowment fund, and mentored other SGAC members.

“Lance is a hugely inspiring SGAC alumnus who has played a foundational role at SGAC over many years. He is a strong supporter of SGAC and its alumni programme, having offered invaluable advice, participated in alumni coffee networking sessions during the COVID pandemic, and engaged with SGAC members across the world. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Lance and learn from his extraordinary career. Lance is a true advocate for the space generation and more than deserving of the SGAC Alumni Award. Congratulations, Lance!”

The Space Generation Congress (SGC) is SGAC’s annual meeting in support of the United Nations Program on Space Applications. Up to 150 student delegates from top universities and young professionals with a passion for space travel from around the world attend the three-day event. The 2022 SGC was held September 14-16, 2022.

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About Challenger Center

As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center provides more than 250,000 students annually with experiential education programs through its network of Challenger Learning Centers and digital programs. The programs give students the opportunity to apply STEM concepts in the context of real-world challenges, experience a range of STEM careers, and practice important skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Challenger Center was created by the Challenger shuttle families to honor the crew of STS-51-L. For more information about Challenger Center, please visit www.challenger.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

About the Space Generation Advisory Council

The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, is a global non-governmental, non-profit [U.S. 501(c)3] organisation and network which aims to represent university students and young space professionals ages 18-35 to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia. The SGAC network of members, volunteers, and alumni has grown to more than 20,000 members representing more than 165 countries. For more information about SGAC, please visit https://spacegeneration.org/.

Contact

Sara Espinosa, Director, Communications
sespinosa@challenger.org
202-827-1575