GRAND FORKS — It’s time for today’s students to look ahead and decide what kind of future they want, according to national security and space leaders who visited with University of North Dakota students.
U.S. Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, director of Golden Dome for America, said that what he saw on UND’s campus is that its students are more than up to the task of making the world whatever they want it to be.
“If anybody tells you they know what the future looks like, they’re lying to you,” Guetlein said. “We have no idea what the future looks like. There’s been more change in the past 10 years than my entire lifetime. … Don’t take what you’re inheriting and believe that that’s the gift. … I have four daughters, and I’m excited about their future because of what you’re going to do for this nation and for this world, this planet.”
Guetlein, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., conducted a student Q&A at UND following a fireside chat at the 20th Annual UAS Summit and Expo, which was held at Grand Forks’ Alerus Center. The three had previously taken tours of UND’s space-related work and met with campus leaders. Among their answers to student questions — topics like returning to the moon, national security in space, optical communications, student investments and the intersection of AI and autonomy with manned spaceflight — the three also encouraged students to look ahead and be part of the future.
Isaacman referred to NASA’s Artemis missions, which are expected to return Americans to the moon. He said contributions are needed from everyone to undertake the adventure, as the U.S. is in another space race with China, which — like the U.S. — plans to establish a lunar base.
“This is no longer just the history books we all read about from decades past,” he said. “This is absolutely your time. Pick up the fire of exploration. Contribute. Inspire the next generation to take us even further.”
In a media availability following the Q&A, Hoeven said having Isaacman and Guetlein in front of campus and capturing the imagination of young people is important.
“Not only because it means support for what they’re doing, but it means that these young people want to get into these careers and be part of the solution for the future,” he said.
Isaacman and Guetlein both spoke positively about seeing what UND students are doing.
Isaacman said contributions across the nation will be needed as NASA ventures farther into space, and pointed out UND’s Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat and the space suits in its Human Spaceflight Laboratory.
“We need all of it, and we need it now,” he said. “What an exciting time. … Not to mention all the other great pioneering work across aviation and air traffic management.”
Guetlein said it’s exciting to see the energy and passion coming from students across all domains.
“That passion, that energy, is what we need to tap into to secure our future and our prosperity,” he said.
Otto is the University of North Dakota reporter for the Grand Forks Herald.