Fall 2026 Physics Careers Seminar Series Opens with Talk by Alumnus Dr. Tyler Salners from Relativity Space

The Fall 2026 Physics Careers Seminar series opens on Thursday, September 17 with an informal presentation by alumnus Dr. Tyler Salners from Relativity Space, who will talk about "Technical Analysis and Engineering in a New Space Startup", at 11:00 a.m. in 204 Loomis (Interaction Room). Refreshments will be served! Details of Dr. Salner's seminar are given below.

Time: 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026

Location: 204 Loomis (Interaction Room). A Zoom link will also be forwarded to the Illinois Physics Grad Student email list. For a copy of the link, please contact Lance Cooper (slcooper@illinois.edu).

Title: Technical Analysis and Engineering in a New Space Startup

Speaker: Dr. Tyler Salners, Relativity Space 

Abstract: Today I’ll give some insight into the booming “new space” aero industry, specifically what it’s like to be an engineer on these teams. I’ll highlight some of the most important advantages I see in going to a startup and the skills a physicist could lean into to be an invaluable team member. 

Bio: I received my PhD from UIUC in 2023 working under Prof. Karin Dahmen studying avalanches in the brain. I then went to industry to work as a thermal engineer at the launch vehicle start-up “Relativity Space” where I’ve been ever since.  

You can see the rest of the Fall 2026 Physics Careers Seminar series here: https://physics.illinois.edu/calendar/careers-seminar