Can’t wait for Dent: Space San Francisco to see our speakers onstage? Never fear. We, along with some of the top experts in commercial space travel are headed to California this week for San Diego Comic-Con. Appearing with us at #SDCC is Patrick O’Neill who is speaking on our panel “Mars Needs People: Putting Humans on the Red Planet”

Patrick O’Neill is the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS). In 2011, NASA selected CASIS to manage the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. They are responsible for up to 50% of the research allocation on the US portion of the station, 50% of the astronaut crew time, and 50% of the upmass and downmass on ISS re-supply rockets launched from American soil. O’Neill is responsible for the development and execution of all outreach made to the public and research communities regarding the ISS National Laboratory.  Working collaboratively with NASA, the two organizations are powered through partnership to fully utilize the U.S. segment of the ISS.

O’Neill attended San Diego State, graduating with a degree in Communication. Prior to CASIS, he has worked in a variety of marketing and public relations capacities, most recently at the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, serving as its Manager of Government and Community Affairs. He has years of experience working in the aerospace industry, primarily focusing on policy and outreach.

Come hear Patrick and others talk about how we plan to get to Mars, and how the International Space Station is an integral platform for innovation in this journey.