In an effort to encourage technological innovation that advances skydiving, USPA and Sigma, a global platform for verified identity, co-hosted the Skydiving Technology Advancement Roundup (STAR) competition. Following a six-month online submission period, nine finalists exhibited their innovations during the Parachute Industry Association Symposium in Dallas, Texas, February 4-7. From those nine, three winners walked away with cash, while all the finalists, as well as the audience, walked away with the excitement that comes from seeing dreams put into action. But it’s the average skydiver who is the ultimate winner.
The collaborative effort presented an opportunity for those who manufacture, design, engineer or promote technology products in the skydiving field to spotlight their new tech ideas. Symposium attendees and judges watched the presenters’ 20-minute demos and product explanations each afternoon in the exhibit hall, with one category—drop zone tools, jumper experience or safety and training—featured each day. At the conclusion of each day’s demo, the judges announced the winner for that category. In addition, the People’s Choice and Sigma’s Choice Awards presentations took place at the end of the final day.
The judging panel consisted of Betsy Hoats-Smith, D-23089, a master rigger and loft manager for Para-Gear Equipment Company, chair of PIA’s Meeting Logistics Committee and co-chair of PIA’s Technical Committee; Jacob Orrin, USPA #311927, founder and president of Sigma; and USPA Director of Information Technology Jen Sharp, D-17516, an AFF instructor, coach examiner and tandem instructor examiner and master rigger. Among the judging criteria were:
- Innovation: How unique or new is the concept? Is this a new way to solve something or just another version of something that is already in the market?
- Completion and functionality: Does the submission work as described? Is the product free of bugs with all parts complete?
- Impact: Will this solution be widely usable by the greater community?
The People’s Choice Award winner, Spacesuit Skydive (spacesuitskydive.wordpress.com), presented a working high-altitude skydiving pressure suit for the average jumper that costs less than $10,000. This sneak peek of the future emerged as the popular choice by attendees who voted for their favorite finalist during the three-day contest. Trent Tresch at Earth & Space Exploration teamed up with Pacific Spaceflight to develop this suit, which operates at a standard 3.5 psi on 100 percent oxygen with leak rates of the suits used for NASA’s Apollo mission.
