2023 Workshop
Our 2023 workshop ran from Monday May 22 through Sunday 28 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. We expect to hold another workshop in 2024, dates to be determined.
What is Launch Pad?
Launch Pad is a workshop for established professionals held in beautiful high-altitude Laramie, Wyoming. Launch Pad aims to provide a “crash course” for the attendees in modern astronomical science through lectures, activities, discussion, and observation through the University of Wyoming’s professional telescopes. We generally cover all workshop expenses including meals and lodging.
Launch Pad has in the past been supported by NASA, the National Science Foundation, Uwingu, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and generous individual donors. We currently enjoy funding from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Who is Launch Pad?
Launch Pad was created by science fiction author, astronomer, and University of Wyoming professor Mike Brotherton, PhD, and Jim Verley, PhD. Joining us since 2012 is Christian Ready, an astronomer whose work experience includes the Hubble Space Telescope and is now a professor at Towson University. University of Wyoming graduate student Theodora Zastrocky is also currently an instructor.
Who has attended Launch Pad?
Past attendees have included science fiction/fantasy/horror authors Marko Kloos, Fonda Lee, Jody Lynn Nye, Diana Rowland, Wesley Chu, Mary Robinette Kowal, Nancy Kress, Robert J. Sawyer, Ann Leckie, N. K. Jemisin, Pat Cadigan, Jennifer Marie Brissett, Scott Sigler, Carrie Vaughn, Owl Goingback, Julie V. Jones, Ian McDonald, Walter Jon Williams, Michael Swanwick, Lisa Yee, Linda Nagata, Steven Gould, editors Ellen Datlow, John Joseph Adams, game writers/designers Marc Laidlaw, Monte Cook, romance writer Brenna Aubrey, and dozens of other talented and distinguished people. Any writers, editors, or other creative people who can benefit from the workshop and put more and better quality astronomy in front of the largest and most diverse audiences are our ideal attendees.