When
Where
As space becomes increasingly integral to national security, economic competitiveness and scientific discovery, the boundaries between the civil, commercial and defense sectors continue to blur.
The Space Horizons Forum will examine how these communities can strengthen partnerships, build resilience and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Through conversations with leaders across sectors, the forum will explore:
- Lunar exploration and the future of sustained activity beyond Earth
- Space security and resilience in an increasingly contested environment
- The growing role of commercial investment and innovation in space
- The evolving role of research universities in discovery, talent development and collaboration
- Opportunities for cross-sector partnerships to accelerate progress
Our goal is not simply to examine where the space ecosystem is today, but to explore what will be required to shape what comes next.
Attending this event
The Space Horizons Forum is designed to:
- Convene leaders across sectors
- Bring together voices from government, industry, academia and other organizations shaping the future of space.
- Examine the changing space ecosystem
- Explore the scientific, technological, economic and policy developments influencing the future of space exploration and activity.
- Strengthen partnerships
- Identify opportunities for collaboration across civil, commercial, defense and academic communities.
- Explore future challenges and opportunities
- Consider the investments, capabilities, policies and partnerships needed to build a resilient and sustainable future in space.
- Move the conversation toward action
- Highlight areas where cross-sector collaboration can help translate ambition and discovery into meaningful progress.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
Please RSVP by October 21
Conference Agenda
Day One | Thursday, October 29
| 8:00 am—9:00 am | Attendee Check-in & Breakfast |
| 9:00 am—9:10 am | Welcome |
| 9:10 am—9:40 am | Keynote: The Future of Space |
| 9:45 am—10:45 am | Panel: The Moon |
| 10:45 am—11:00 am | Break |
| 11:00 am—11:30 am | Frontier Fireside Chat: Leadership in Space |
| 11:30 am—12:30 pm | Panel: Future of Space Defense |
| 12:30 pm—1:00 pm | Break for Buffet Lunch |
| 1:00 pm—1:10 pm | Afternoon Welcome |
| 1:10 pm—1:40 pm | Frontier Talks: The New Space Ecosystem |
| 1:45 pm—2:45 pm | Panel: Private Sector in Space |
| 2:45 pm—3:00 pm | Break |
| 3:00 pm—3:30 pm | Frontier Talks: Expanding Humanity’s Horizon |
| 3:30 pm—4:30 pm | Panel: The Future of Space Science |
| 4:30 pm—4:45 pm | Closing Remarks |
| 4:45 pm—6:00 pm | Reception for All Attendees |
Day Two | Friday, October 30
| 7:30 am—8:30 am | Breakfast for All Attendees |
| 8:30 am—8:50 am | Morning Keynote: Kickoff to Flash Talks |
| 9:00 am—10:00 am | Breakout Session Flash Talks
|
| 10:00 am—10:30 am | Break |
| 10:30 am—11:30 am | Breakout Session Flash Talks
|
| 11:30 am—12:30 pm | Farewell Lunch |
| 1:00 pm—5:00 pm | Optional Tours on UA Main Campus
|
Frontier Talk Speakers
Stacie Williams
Chief Science Officer
United States Space Force
Frontier Fireside Chat: Leadership in Space
Jonathan Lunine
Chief Scientist
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech
Frontier Talk: The Future of Space Science
Panels
The Moon
Focus: Exploration and discovery
- Moderated by: Dani DellaGiustina, Assistant Professor, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona and Principal Investigator, OSIRIS-APEX
- Coralie Adam, Interplanetary Flight Dynamics Lead, KinetX Aerospace
- Máté Ádámkovics, Research Scientist, Lockheed Martin
- Jessica Gregory, Vice President of Civil Space, Voyager Technologies
The return to the moon will be a proving ground for new technologies, partnerships and operational capabilities. The work done now will define the next generation of exploration. This conversation will examine how lunar missions are shaping future space endeavors while establishing the foundation for sustained human presence beyond Earth.
Future of Space Defense
Focus: Security and resilience
- Moderated by Elizabeth Fucetola, Director, Space Telescope Programs, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
- Lt. Gen Wally Moorhead (USAF Ret)
- Col Max W. Yates, Deputy Technology Executive Officer for Space, Air Force Research Laboratory & Commander, Phillips Research Site
- Andy Williams, Acting Director, Space Warfare Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Dan Chang, Area Executive, National Security, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
As space becomes increasingly central to national security, communications and economic activity, protecting critical assets is already a global priority. Leaders from government and the defense industry will discuss how nations and organizations are adapting to an increasingly contested space environment and what is required to ensure long-term security and resilience.
Private Sector in Space
Focus: Commercialization and investment
- Moderated by Dante Lauretta
- Matt Gialich, Co-Founder & CEO, AstroForge
- Joel Sercel, President & CEO, TransAstra
This conversation will explore how private companies are driving technological advances, opening new markets and creating opportunities for collaboration that are accelerating scientific discovery and economic growth.
Universities at the Frontier
Focus: Security and resilience
- Moderated by Erika Hamden, Director, Arizona Space Institute
- Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, Mission Area Executive, Civil Space Flight, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
- Jed J. Hancock, President, Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University
- Shannon Curry, Associate Professor, Astrophysics & Planetary Sciences Department, University of Colorado-Boulder
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