Lunar Mission, Space Station Future, and UND's Next Generation Discussed at 2025 Space Operations Summit
GRAND FORKS — Nearly eight years after earning her Ph.D. in Aerospace Sciences from the University of North Dakota (UND) as the first doctoral student of Pablo de León, Kavya Manyapu spoke at the 2025 Space Operations Summit about her work on NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon.
Manyapu began her lunar exploration journey at UND under the guidance of Pablo de León, the chair of space studies and a department professor. Reflecting on her journey, she said:
“I feel like it’s come full circle. It’s truly a pleasure to be back at UND, the place that accelerated my dreams of human space exploration, and it is here that the belief in me was instilled that no horizon is too far to reach when passion meets purpose.”
As the lead developer of Exploration Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Spacesuits for the Artemis program, Manyapu was one of several keynote speakers at the summit, held Wednesday and Thursday at the Memorial Union.
Earlier on Wednesday, Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space Stations and former president of Voyager Technologies’ Space Solutions business segment, also addressed the attendees.
Key Points Discussed at the Summit
- NASA’s Artemis program and lunar exploration efforts.
- Development of advanced spacesuits for extravehicular activities.
- Future of space stations and commercial space industry insights.
- UND’s role in advancing aerospace education and research.
Author’s summary: Kavya Manyapu’s return to UND highlights the university’s vital role in fostering talent that drives key NASA Artemis advancements and the future of human space exploration.
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