Collaboration will Expand ASCEND 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Integrated Event Scheduled for May 19–21, 2026
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Commercial Space Federation (CSF), the Space Force Association (SFA), and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) are joining forces on an integrated space event, ASCEND 2026, to be held May 19–21, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
“The vision of ASCEND has always been as a platform for accelerating the use of space for exploration, R&D, national security, and commercial innovation.”
Clay Mowry, AIAA.
“The vision of ASCEND has always been as a platform for accelerating the use of space for exploration, R&D, national security, and commercial innovation,” said Clay Mowry, chief executive officer, AIAA. “We are thrilled to bring ASCEND to the nation’s capital with these new event partners. Our new collaboration isn’t just exciting, it’s transformative – creating enormous synergies for the space community for learning, technical exchange, and in-depth dialogue. This new ‘Space Week’ will showcase the full spectrum of space policy, commerce, security, and innovation to build our off-world future."
Space Policy and Leadership – Commercial Space Federation (CSF)
CSF is joining ASCEND as the premier event partner to design and deliver programming during ASCEND 2026 on the most pressing commercial space issues facing the industry. This move will continue CSF’s leadership on space policy discussions that were historically held during its flagship Washington, D.C., event, the Commercial Space Policy Conference.
Dave Cavossa, president, CSF, added, “CSF is excited to join forces with AIAA and other partners to reimagine a modern space event that is aligned to the policy challenges of today and tomorrow for the commercial space ecosystem. We want those vital discussions to happen in Washington, D.C., bringing all the critical voices together in the town where so much of our global space policy is shaped.”
National Security Space – Space Force Association (SFA)
Through an enhanced focus on national security space, ASCEND 2026 will feature expanded content highlighting its criticality to this community. SFA will provide sessions and speakers in the expanded event, designed to enable U.S. Space Force Guardians to collaborate with the commercial and civil space communities to enhance strategic partnerships and counter growing threats. In addition, ASCEND 2026 will feature a classified event that will provide attendees with mission critical insights.
Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals – Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
As the largest network of university students and young professionals working in the global aerospace industry, SGAC will deliver its signature fast-paced, content-rich programming to ASCEND 2026. Modeled on the TEDx “lightning talk” format used at its previous SGx event, SGAC will create an environment where young professionals, industry experts, and government executives can network, share insights, and inspire each other.
Since 2020, ASCEND has promoted the collaborative, interdisciplinary, outcomes-driven community of professionals, students, and enthusiasts around the world who are accelerating humanity’s progress toward our off-world future. Lockheed Martin is the founding sponsor of ASCEND.
The ASCEND 2026 Call for Content will open in early July 2025, inviting the global space community to submit technical abstracts and propose collaborative session topics across a broad range of disciplines.