SEDS-USA is a non-profit student space exploration organization founded in 1980 at MIT with over 1500 student members across 36 chapters. It aims to promote space exploration through educational conferences like SpaceVision and competitive projects such as rocketry. While its chapters actively engage in satellite construction and other hands-on projects, SEDS-USA seeks to better connect its international community and reignite organizations in other countries through online collaboration and leadership events.

1. SEDS-USA
Michael Zwach
Chairman
www.seds.org

2. History
• SEDS-USA
o Founded at MIT – 1980
o Early Years (1980 – 1991)
◊ Founding by Peter Diamandis, expansion
o SEDS-USA – 2nd Gen (1994 – 1998)
◊ The Lewiki Era; the chapters rebuild
o The new SEDS-USA (2004-Present)
◊ The chapters reconnect

3. Current Organization
• National Organization
o 7 Executive Board Members
o 1 Executive Director
o Council of Chapters
• Chapters
o 36 Active Chapters Spread out across United States
◊ Make up the bulk of various projects, activities, members
◊ Over 1500 members (as of the fall)

4. Chapters

5. Current Organization
• Organizational Successes
o 501(c)3 for several years
• Steady growth
• Good chapter activity
o Feeds national urge to grow
• Organizational Projects:
o Connecting back with Alumni
o Connecting members better
o Becoming a more effective Organization (GAAP, etc)

6. National Projects
• Rocket Competition
o Simple rocket competition - .5 kg payload to 3050 m
o Open to International Competition
• High Frontier Book Distribution
• National Endowment Fund
• Student Business Plan Competition
• Government Outreach and Legislature visits
• Student Membership System
• More in the works!

7. Chapter Projects
• Some cool activities our chapters do:
• Building Satellites
o Currently ~9 chapters involved with active satellite
construction (Nanosats mostly)
• Space Days
o One Day events promoting space to public (large events)
• Microgravity Teams
o Through NASA
• Lunabotics Competitions (Regolith digging rovers)
• High Altitude Hybrid rockets
• Telescope Construction

8. SpaceVision
• National Conference of SEDS-USA
o 2004 Onward
o Nations Largest Student Run conference for Space!
o 300-400 Attendees for the proceedings
o Later this year: Tempe, AZ, November 8-12
Spacevision.seds.org

9. Reporting and Transparency
• Annual Report Publishing
o 2012 is being polished
o 2011 online
• Strategic Plan
o Passed first strategic plan since 2003 last November
◊ 25 Major goals for 2013-2022
◊ Reorganizing Advisor and Trustee Boards
◊ Added Executive Director Role
• Online Visibility
o Social Media
o GuideStar.com

10. SEDS-USA and International Work
• SEDS-USA & SEDS Canada
o Trying to re-engage SEDS Canada
• Overall, SEDS International Efforts could be
better
o UK & US is a good place to start (Europe Too!)
o Currently under investigation:
◊ Competitions – Rocketry? Citizen Science?
◊ Projects -

11. SEDS-International/Earth
• Organization envisioned years ago
o Promote SEDS across countries
o Maintain connection and dialogue
• Activities
o Had Teleconferences periodically
o Questionable success
◊ Failed and went defunct after lack of leadership or other?

12. SEDS-International/Earth
• SEDS-USA’s Thoughts:
o The only way to fail is to not try
o We are open to interaction!
◊ The Internet makes the world a smaller place
◊ Facebook or Google Group?
o Open to quarterly teleconferences (Skype or other)
o Possibilities of Summer time leadership conference
◊ Re-starting IAC SEDS Earth Conference possible?

13. SEDS-USA
Questions and Discussion
• Michael Zwach
o Chairman SEDS-USA
o chair@seds.org
o mzwach@gmail.com