North Texas Section

Southwest Aerospace Symposium
Saturday, 28 March 2026
UT Arlington
SEIR Engineering Bldg., Room 294
0900-1700 hrs.

Keynote
Bob “Farmer” Hines (Colonel, U.S. Air Force), NASA Astronaut
NASA’s Manned Spaceflight Programs

Bob Hines was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reported to the Astronaut Office in August 2017. He has served more than 23 years in the United State Air Force (USAF) as an instructor pilot, fighter pilot, and a test pilot. Before his selection in 2017, he was serving as a Research Pilot at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He has accumulated more than 4,000 hours of flight time in 50 different types of aircraft and has flown 76 combat missions in 3 different aircraft types while supporting contingency operations around the world. Hines served as the pilot on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station, which concluded on Oct. 14, 2022. The mission was the first spaceflight for Hines. He has logged 170 days in space, overseeing the arrival of crew and cargo, maintaining the space station, and conducting science experiments of various disciplines.

AIAA Rising Stars
College undergrads, apply today to receive free travel & admission to AIAA AVIATION or ASCEND!
Ignite your future and explore the frontiers of aerospace as a 2026 Rising Start at either AIAA AVIATION or ASCEND forums. Learn about the latest advancements and research and make connections with other students and professionals in the aerospace industry.
Must be full-time undergraduate student to apply.
Application Deadline 6 Feb. 2026 11pm CST
> Complimentary registration
> Round-trip economy airfare (up to designated cost limit)
> Hotel stay for duration of event
> Customized event schedule
> Small-group meetings with aerospace industry leaders
> Complimentary AIAA University student Membership for 1 year