Interstellar Research Group

Press Releases

Interstellar Research Group Explores Georgia Tech as Potential Host Site for 2027 Interstellar Symposium

ATLANTA, November 25, 2025 — The Interstellar Research Group (IRG) conducted an extensive on-site visit to the Georgia Institute of Technology to assess the campus as a potential host location for the 10th Interstellar Symposium in October 2027. The visit centered on reviewing facilities that can support IRG’s growing interstellar research community, technical program tracks, and multidisciplinary scientific sessions. 

IRG President Dr. Joseph Meany, Board Secretary Stephen Fleming, Board Director and Chair of Publicity Michael Birchfield, and Chair of Capitalization and Development Sara Spath toured the campus with Dr. Jud Ready, Executive Director of the Space Research Institute at Georgia Tech. The visit leveraged longstanding professional relationships between Georgia Tech and IRG leadership, strengthening ongoing collaboration in aerospace engineering, space science, and advanced research. The evaluation included a detailed review of the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, the Ferst Center for the Arts, and the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center. These venues offer flexible conference environments, breakout rooms, and classroom spaces suited for technical presentations, engineering sessions, space science workshops, and community engagement programs planned for the 2027 Interstellar Symposium. 

“We are extremely excited about the possibilities that the campus offers to create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere for the next symposium,” said IRG President Dr. Joseph Meany. 

“Georgia Tech shows strong alignment with the logistical, scientific, and educational needs of a global conference focused on interstellar exploration.” 

Georgia Tech presents additional opportunities to expand student involvement and public participation across disciplines including aerospace engineering, astrobiology, astronomy, robotics, and rocketry. The IRG team also explored possibilities for astronomy outreach events, art and poster exhibitions, industry partnerships, and collaboration with the Institute’s media and communications programs to support broader public visibility for interstellar research. 

Attendance for the 10th Interstellar Symposium is projected to exceed 200 participants, supported by academic partnerships across Atlanta and expanded student engagement. Georgia Tech’s research infrastructure, STEM-focused community, and location within a major innovation hub position the Institute as a leading candidate for hosting IRG’s 2027 Interstellar Symposium. 

We are excited to annouce our 9th Interstellar Symposium in Austin, Texas!

Distant Worlds, Neighboring Opportunities

This theme evokes the fact that while truly interstellar missions remain an aspirational goal, all steps that we take now can have far-reaching effects by coloring our immediate challenges.

Just as habitat engineering studies have benefits for improving living in harsh earth environments; studies of culture, law, art, and governance here on earth will have lasting impacts on crewed interstellar missions.

We want to underscore how the breadth of the human experience will determine the success of our expansion to Distant Worlds and stars beyond. Neighboring opportunities reminds us that space is for all.

IRG 2025 Scholarship Program

The Interstellar Research Group is proud to present its 2025 Scholarship Program. This year programs will provide one undergraduate scholarship, Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship ($2,500), and one master’s level graduate scholarship ($2,500), and one doctoral level scholarship ($2,500) for qualifying students.

The scholarships (including the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship) are sponsored by IRG supporters Baen Books and Rob and Ruann Hampson are merit-based, and require applicants to complete an essay with their application forms. The deadline for all applications is December 15, 2024 by 5 pm EST.

TVIW announces Scholarship Program for rising college undergraduates, graduate students

The non-profit Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop is proud to present its 2018 Scholarship Program, to provide two undergraduate scholarships and one graduate-student scholarship for qualifying students. The $2,500 scholarships, sponsored by TVIW supporters Baen Books and Rob and Ruann Hampson, are merit-based, and require applicants to complete an essay with their application forms. The deadline for all applications is May…

Fifth Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop unveils agenda, key speakers for Symposium set for Oct. 3-6 in Huntsville, Alabama

The Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop, in partnership with Starship Century and Tau Zero Foundation, has expanded its fifth symposium to four very full days of panels, workshops, and seminars. A comprehensive schedule of events for TVIW 2017, set for Oct. 3-6 at the Embassy Suites in Huntsville, Alabama, is now available. A full copy of the press release can be…

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The Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (doing business as the Interstellar Research Group, IRG) is a non-profit scientific, educational corporation in the state of Tennessee. For U.S. tax purposes, IRG is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) educational, non-profit corporation. All donations to IRG are fully tax deductible (as allowed by your local laws). Any donations are deeply appreciated!

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