October 27-28 & 29, 2026 |
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex |
Registration Closed: September 27, 2026
Final preparations are underway for the 2026 MTS Aerospace Users Group Meeting, which will take place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Florida’s Space Coast — October 27–29, 2026. This complimentary event will feature dual tracks in structures and materials testing, tours of local aerospace attractions, plus optional software training led by MTS Systems Integration Engineers. Scroll down to review the meeting agenda and details, and we'll see you soon in Cocoa Beach!
Innovation/Expertise: share aerospace structural and materials testing experiences, gain insight into new technologies and methods, and exchange ideas with MTS hardware and software engineers.
Global Community: network, swap stories, connect with old friends and mentors, and enjoy the company of test engineers from all corners of the aerospace industry and beyond.
Structures Track: learn how fellow users are integrating MTS solutions to increase test accuracy, speed, and test article safety. Attend the optional AeroPro Academy (Oct 29) for an SIE-guided tour of new software features and capabilities.
Materials Track: explore how users are employing MTS solutions to study lightweight composites and high-temperature alloys. Attend the optional MTS TestSuite Academy (Oct 29) for an SIE-guided tour of new software features and capabilities.
Meeting Agenda:
| Monday, October 26, 2026 | |||||
| 17:30 | Pre-meeting Welcome Reception: Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral - sponsored by the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University | ||||
| Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (Day 1) | |||||
| 07:45 | Shuttles depart Cocoa Beach hotels for Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Visitor Complex | ||||
| 08:15 | Sign-in / Networking | ||||
| 08:30 | Day 1 Welcome: Adam Sauter, Kevin Frisinger & Sarah Beranek | ||||
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08:50 |
Opening Remarks: Testing at Blue - Shaun Maconaghy, Blue Origin |
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| Structures Track | Materials Track | ||||
| 09:30 | Setting up a full-scale fighter test with AeroPro - Julien Schmitt, DGA Techniques aérospatiales | High Cycle Fatigue and Low Cycle Fatigue testing of Metal Additively Manufactured Materials – Shin Mah, NIAR - WSU | |||
| 10:00 | AeroPro Test-Accelerating Toolkit – Andrew Holland & Jeff VanLangendon, MTS Systems | Testing Short Specimens to Enable Research and Development, and Lot Acceptance of Additively Manufactured Materials – Steve Lemmer, MTS Systems | |||
| 10:30 | Break / Networking | ||||
| 11:00 | Landing Gear Damper Testing - Shawn Gao & Cody Blystone, Blue Origin | New Products to Enable a More Complete and Integrated MTS Testing System and Experience – Tryg Waterhouse, MTS Systems | |||
| 11:30 | |||||
| 12:00 | Lunch | ||||
| 13:00 | Bell Mechanical Test Labs and Fatigue Testing Overview – Chad Killeen, Bell Helicopter | Room and Elevated Temperature Testing of CMCs – Matt Opliger, NIAR - WSU | |||
| 13:30 | Premium Test Article Safety – Jon Plant & Andrew Holland, MTS Systems | Ultra-High Temperature Testing Environments: Testing Beyond 2000°C – Glenn Lucachick, MTS Systems | |||
| 14:00 | When Stiffness Becomes the Problem: A compliant Approach to Aileron Load Control - Alexandre Beaudoin, Bombardier | MTS Integrated Non-Contact Strain Sensing – Ben Hildebrandt, MTS Systems | |||
| 14:30 | Break / Networking | ||||
| 15:00 | Latest AeroPro Software Features - Jodi Owens, MTS Systems | TestSuite Automation: Advancements in Specimen Protection and Autotuning – Tom Byron, MTS Systems | |||
| 15:30 | Presenter Panel / Q&A | Evaluating the Transition from MPT to AeroPro via Atypical Pressure Testing - Jeff Barnett, Metcut Research |
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| 16:00 | Helicopter Advanced Fatigue Test Technology Demonstrator (HAFT-TD) & Airframe Rapid Certification Techniques using Innovative Control (ARCTIC) – Geoff Swanton & Angus Manning, DSTG Australia | Determination of Composite Progressive Damage Growth under Fatigue Loading - Ruchira Rathnaweera, NIAR – WSU | |||
| 16:30 | Day 1 Conclusion | ||||
| 16:45 | Shuttles depart KSC Visitor Complex for Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill | ||||
| 17:15 | Refreshments / Networking | ||||
| 18:00 | Group Dinner | ||||
| 19:30 | Shuttles depart Fishlips for Cocoa Beach hotels (every 30 minutes until 21:00) | ||||
| Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (Day 2) | ||
| 07:45 | Shuttles depart Cocoa Beach hotels for KSC Visitor Complex | |
| 08:15 | Networking | |
| 08:30 | Day 2 Welcome | |
| 08:45 |
Achieving Best-in-Class Standard Product Manufacturing and Lead Times & Continued Support of Custom Solution Production
– Charlie Elliot, MTS Systems |
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| 09:15 | Flextest Life Extension and Hardware Upgradeability for Future Applications – Tryg Waterhouse, MTS Systems | |
| 09:45 | Break / Networking | |
| Structures Track | Materials Track | |
| 10:15 |
Testing Electromechanical Actuators with Compliant Actuators - Eric Sporer, Blue Origin
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MTS Calibration & Alignment (NADCAP) - Charles Hoppe, MTS Systems |
| 10:45 | Simplified Automated Tensile Tester – Chris Kain, Blue Origin | |
| 11:15 | Lunch / Closing Remarks | |
| 12:30 | Kennedy Space Center Tours | |
| 16:30 | Shuttles depart KSC Visitor Complex for Cocoa Beach hotels | |
| Thursday, October 29, 2026 (Optional Day 3) |
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| Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral | ||
| AeroPro Academy | MTS TestSuite Academy | |
| 08:00 | Breakfast | |
| 08:30 | AeroPro - New Features: Video Engine; Pinning Mode safety enhancements; Set Point changes- limits on set points – Bob Tieman | How to Design an MPE Template - Yunming Hu |
| 09:00 | ||
| 09:30 | New Data Display Features in Release 2601 & Licensing Demo – Raphael Carvalho, Jodi Owens | TestSuite Templates Review - Jon Wilson |
| 10:00 | Break / Networking | |
| 10:30 | Test Accelerating Toolkit – Spencer Neitz & Andrew Holland |
Interfacing with LIMS Systems/Databases - Steve Kvidera |
| 11:00 | ||
| 11:30 | Presenter Panel: Q&A | Vector Demo with Split Coupon Stand - Ben Hildebrandt |
| 12:00 | Lunch & Learn: Interactive STR User Insights Session | Lunch & Learn: Interactive MTL User Insights Session |
| 13:30 | Training Day Conclusion | |
Meeting Locations:
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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill 610 Glen Cheek Dr, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920 Hampton Inn By Hilton Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral 3425 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral 3435 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 |
Daily Transportation: Free daily shuttles will be provided for travel between the Cocoa Beach hotels and all scheduled users group meeting activities. |
Questions?If you have questions or require assistance in planning your users group meeting attendance, please contact: |
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Paul Lehman Senior MarComm Specialist paul.lehman@mts.com |
Mackenzie Dunnigan Human Resources Specialist mackenzie.dunnigan@mts.com |