SPACE SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

William O’Hara

Vice President of Engineering
Aurelia Institute

Bill O’Hara specializes in the design and development of deep space and planetary surface habitats with over 28 years of experience in the human spaceflight industry on programs such as shuttle, ISS, Orion and others. Across these programs Bill led astronaut training, mission control and advanced human spaceflight systems development teams. Before joining Aurelia Institute Bill led development and testing of inflatable habitats for Sierra Space and lunar surface habitats for Blue Origin.

At Aurelia, Bill is leading the engineering development of a self-assembling habitat utilizing Aurelia’s TESSERAE (Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments) technology designed to host biotechnologists in a lab environment. Informed by user interviews within the pharmaceutical industry, the orbital laboratory is equipped with flexible glove box and payload systems to facilitate research and development at different form factors. Aurelia continues to gather design input to validate the approach to enabling ground breaking biotechnology manufacturing in microgravity.  

Related Sessions

Space Science & Exploration Track

Monday, April 13, 2026

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Track: