FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2025 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced today a powerful lineup of speakers who will take the stage at 2025 ASCEND, 22–24 July, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. The three-day event will address the most important opportunities and mission-critical challenges that come with the growing pace of activity in space.
“We’re thrilled to once again welcome the global aerospace community to ASCEND. It’s the most dynamic time in space in the last 30 years,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “ASCEND is where we discuss the critical topics today to ensure the ongoing safe, secure, and prosperous uses of space. This year’s program is sure to generate powerful dialogue among the broad spectrum of attendees including space users, investors, policymakers, innovators, and more.”
Powered by AIAA, ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future. Over 200 industry luminaries from across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, adjacent industries, and the next-generation workforce are featured as speakers. Confirmed speakers include:
- Tejpaul Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer, Axiom Space
- Maj. Gen. Steven “Bucky” Butow, USAF, Military Deputy of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Robert Carlisle, CEO and Co-Founder, Argo Space
- Dave Cavossa, President, Commercial Space Federation (CSF)
- Carissa Christensen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BryceTech*
- Tim Crain, Chief Technology Officer, Intuitive Machines
- Israel Figueroa, Director, National Security Programs, Firefly Aerospace
- Kelli Furrer, Chief Revenue Officer & Chief Marketing Officer, Firefly Aerospace
- Mike Gold, President, Civil & International Space Business, Redwire Space
- Chris Lay, Co-Founding Partner, Leonid Capital Partners
- Mairead Levison, Deputy Director, Space ISAC
- Jamie Morin, Vice President, Defense Strategic Space, The Aerospace Corporation
- Sho Nakanose, Founder and CEO, GITAI
- Shawna Pandya, Director, Space Medicine Group, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)*
- John Reed, Chief Rocket Scientist, United Launch Alliance (ULA)*
- Lee Rosen, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ThinkOrbital Inc.
- Matthew Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair, MBA Program, Harvard Business School*
- Col. Bill Woolf, USAF (Ret.), President and Chief Executive Officer, Space Force Association (SFA)
- Col. Matthew Wroten, USSF, U.S. Space Command
*Member of the 2025 ASCEND Guiding Coalition
Experts from NASA will provide wide-ranging updates on a number of timely topics including the Human Research Program, future procurement strategies, and exploration missions to the moon, Mars, and deep space.
Deep Technical Content Scheduled
AIAA events are well known for the depth of technical content presented. Over 200 technical presentations and collaborative sessions are scheduled for 2025 ASCEND.
Vital Interactive Learning Planned
Several workshops are scheduled for valuable in-depth learning opportunities. Topics include:
- Lessons Learned, Forward Path, and Collaboration from the Oxygen from Regolith (O2fR) Collaborative Systems Interface Workshop
- Empowering the Next Generation: Creating a Circular Space Economy
- Why Learning the Language of Business Can Increase the Likelihood of Funding Request Approval
- Cislunar & Lunar Ecosystem and Economics Workshop
- AstroTactics: Wargaming Space Assets
- Collaborative Identification of the Foundations, Formats, and Functions in the Emerging Field of Space Science Communication
Early-Bird Registration Rates Available
Registration for the event is open with early-bird rates ending 23 June. Journalists can request a Press Pass online.
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 premier sponsor of ASCEND. For the most updated program information, visit ascend.events and follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
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, or follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.