Tag: ASCEND 2026

2026 AIAA David W. Thompson Lecture in Space Commerce Presented by Blue Origin’s Tory Bruno During ASCEND 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce the 2026 AIAA David W. Thompson Lectureship in Space Commerce is awarded to Tory Bruno, President, Blue National Security, Blue Origin, and former president and CEO, United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Bruno’s lecture, “Transforming ULA: Shaping the Future of Space Launch,” will be presented Tuesday, 19 May, 12:15 p.m. ET, during ASCEND 2026, 19–21 May, Washington, D.C. The lecture will be delivered in person, as well as recorded and available on demand. Registration for ASCEND 2026 is open now. Journalists can request a Press Pass online.

Bruno’s lecture will address his leadership tenure at ULA which began in 2014, a pivotal time when the industry was on the precipice of a new competitive launch market. He implemented a business strategy to completely transform ULA to compete in a global commercial environment, while continuing to launch ULA’s customers’ critical missions with 100% mission success. Under Bruno’s leadership, ULA also began developing a new next-generation rocket, purpose-built to maintain the accurate delivery of the U.S. government’s most complex missions. As a testament to the company’s corporate change, ULA recently received the largest commercial rocket purchase in history.

Bruno is an expert in several rocketry and hypersonic technologies and holds multiple related patents. He is a tireless advocate for the industry, sharing his passion for space technology and his vision of a self-sustaining human presence beyond Earth. He joined Blue Origin in January 2026, overseeing the development of cutting-edge products, services, and technologies to enhance national security missions.

Bruno is an AIAA Honorary Fellow. He also is a former member of the Defense Innovation Board Space Advisory Committee and the National Academy of Engineering. Bruno has served on the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group and as an advisor to the Vice President of the United States on space policy, regulation, and technology. He also has received the Von Braun Trophy, the von Karman Medal, a member of the Space and Satellite Professionals Hall of Fame, and a member of the San Diego Air & Space Museum International Hall of Fame.

The David W. Thompson Lectureship in Space Commerce recognizes a prominent industry leader or senior management team who has created or grown a space-related business and generated substantial economic benefits and market value. It was endowed by Orbital ATK to commemorate the long and distinguished career of commercial space pioneer, David W. Thompson.

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.

Call for Content Deadline Extended to 25 September

ASCEND connects the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, along with adjacent industries, to embrace the opportunities and address the challenges that come with increased activity in space. Building our sustainable off-world future requires long-term thinking. Strategic planning, innovation, scientific exploration, and effective regulations and standards will help us preserve space for future generations. ASCEND will enable the technical exchanges, debates, and collaboration that will help forge a sustainable off-world future for all.
CALL FOR CONTENT FOR ASCEND 2026 CLOSES 25 SEPTEMBER.

ASCEND 2026: Building a Space Week in Washington, D.C.

FROM THE INSTITUTE
The space industry has reached an inflection point. We are witnessing unprecedented growth in commercial space activity, accelerated national security priorities, international realignment in civil space programs, and a new generation of professionals entering the field. We need a technology-focused forum that matches the complexity and ambition of our moment. That’s exactly what we’re creating with ASCEND 2026.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

AIAA, CSF, SFA, and SGAC Collaborate to Expand ASCEND 2026 in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Integrated Event Scheduled for 19–21 May 2026

May 29, 2025 – Reston, Va. – 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)announced today they are joining forces on an integrated space event, ASCEND 2026, spanning the week of 19–21 May 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,” 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.

AIAA Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

CSF Contact: Kenya McEachern, [email protected]

SFA Contact: Karen Lawrie, [email protected]

SGAC Contact: Tatiana Komorna, [email protected]

About AIAA

AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. Visit www.aiaa.org or follow us: X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Commercial Space Federation

CSF is the leading U.S.-based trade association representing the commercial space industry. Our members represent multiple sectors of the space economy including launch and reentry, remote sensing, spaceports, satellite-based internet, in-space research and manufacturing, commercial space stations, space situational awareness, and more. CSF and its members are focused on expanding America’s leadership in space by offering innovative – and often less expensive – solutions to U.S. government customers including NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and the intelligence community. CSF advocates for policies that will grow a sustainable space economy, the global value of which is already estimated at $570 billion and projected to grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035.

About Space Force Association

The Space Force Association (SFA) is the only independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as a professional military association whose sole focus is supporting the United States Space Force, United States Space Command, U.S. national spacepower at large, and our global partners and allies’ efforts in space exploration. Its core functions are to research, inform, and advocate to achieve superior spacepower by shaping a Space Force that provides credible deterrence in competition, dominant capability in combat, and professional services for all partners. In addition, the SFA has an essential function to provide support for the men and women of the U.S. Space Force.

About Space Generation Advisory Council

The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications is a global non-governmental, non-profit (US 501(c)3) organization and network that connects and represents university students and young space professionals aged 18–35 to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia. With members in over 165 countries, SGAC fosters international collaboration, capacity-building, and innovation in the space sector. The organization hosts flagship events such as the annual Space Generation Congress (SGC), SGx, SGFF and regional Space Generation Workshops (SGWs), publishes policy recommendations, and provides scholarships to empower young professionals. SGAC is also dedicated to STEM outreach and advocacy, inspiring and enabling the next generation of space leaders.