AIAA’s ASCEND Event Launches Space-Themed Summits Written 10 August 2020
First ASCENDxSummit To Be Held 19 August
August 10, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Space science and technology will be the topic of the first in a series of summits hosted by ASCEND, a space ecosystem event from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
The ASCENDxSummits are multitrack, interdisciplinary half-day events focused on a broad theme. The Space Science and Technology Summit will be held 1000–1400 hrs ET, 19 August. National Security Space will be the 17 September topic and Space Policy and Education will be the 21 October topic.
These summits will lead up to ASCEND, which will be held online 16–18 November. Built from the ground up by space professionals, ASCEND uses AIAA’s world-renowned technical content to inform the creation of the new space ecosystem. The event will bring together scientists, engineers, economists, medical professionals, educators, legal professionals, artists, investors, and entrepreneurs to network, share ideas, and develop solutions.
“The summits are part of ASCEND’s goal to inform the space ecosystem year-round,” said Rob Meyerson, ASCEND executive producer and former president of Blue Origin. “We will put the best information and ideas in front of top decision makers and provide a place where they can discuss and debate the pressing needs of the space industry. Our vibrant community has expanded beyond once-a-year events.”
The Space Science and Technology Summit’s agenda includes science prioritization and partnerships, a payload program panel, the Dragonfly Mission, telecommunications, low Earth orbit (LEO) research and development, supporting humans in space, national security, and more.
Top-level speakers include: Thomas Zurbuchen of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Josef Aschbacher of the European Space Agency, University of Arizona’s Betsy Cantwell, Stephane de la Faverie, president of Estee Lauder, Colleen Hartman of the National Academy of Sciences, Jonathan Hofeller of SpaceX, Christine Kretz of the ISS National Laboratory, Christian Maender of Axiom Space, Phil McAlister of NASA’s Commercial Spaceflight, former astronaut Pam Melroy, and more.
Media contact: Brian Talbot, briant@aiaa.org
About ASCEND
ASCEND stands for Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration and New Discovery and is designed to bring together technical and business leaders to solve problems that affect the entire planet and beyond. Powered by AIAA, the ASCEND online event will happen 16–18 November 2020. For more information, please visit www.ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
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 Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.