Aerospace Users Group Meeting

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!

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
08:50	Opening Remarks: Testing at Blue - Shaun Maconaghy, Blue Origin
	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
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
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	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)
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:

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:
Paul Lehman Senior MarComm Specialist paul.lehman@mts.com	Mackenzie Dunnigan Human Resources Specialist mackenzie.dunnigan@mts.com