LibertyCon 38

Retired USAF Space Operations Officer Michael Morton presents Orbital Space Debris, focusing on what is space junk, why it's a problem, and what can be done about it.

Former STEM GOH Dr. Ben Davis presents: AI Doesn't Want to Kill Us, It Has To! (And We're Going to Let It)

Embark on a thrilling journey through humanity’s quest to answer the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe? From wild speculation in pulp novels to today’s high-tech NASA missions, our search for extraterrestrial life has morphed into a dazzling, multi-disciplinary adventure worthy of any sci-fi epic. Discover how NASA Science channels our curiosity with cutting-edge spacecraft that probe the mysteries of the Drake Equation, and how exploring Earth’s own bizarre habitats helps us imagine what alien life might look like. Dive into amazing missions—like OSIRIS-REx, Curiosity, Perseverance, TESS, and Europa Clipper. Recent discoveries have ignited our imaginations with tantalizing hints of life beyond Earth, but the real challenge is just beginning: separating genuine biosignatures from cosmic red herrings. Join us as we look to the future, where new explorations will push the boundaries of what’s possible—and perhaps bring us closer than ever to a universe teeming with life. NASA astrobiologist Dr. Becky McCauley Rench presents.

The name “rare earths” is a historical mistake. We’ll talk about the discovery of these elements, why they’re so important to the modern world, and why we (mostly) don’t produce them in the United States. Also a discussion of other strategic minerals (cobalt, titanium, etc.) and where we find them. Stephen Fleming presents.

Artificial intelligence may feel weightless, but the machines behind it are anything but invisible to the engineers who power them. This presentation explores the growing collision between hyperscale AI, massive data centers, electrical infrastructure, cooling systems, and the future of civilization-scale computation. Drawing from both real-world power-system engineering and decades of science fiction—from H. G. Wells and Isaac Asimov to William Gibson and Neal Stephenson—the discussion examines how the “cloud” is actually built from transformers, transmission lines, power electronics, and thermodynamics. The future may not be powered by magic, but by megawatts, cooling water, and infrastructure operating at planetary scale.

Andy Presby presents "History of Starfleet Power and Propulsion Systems" Hard Science and Star Trek Geekery come together for this presentation. Q&A session to follow.