Monday, April 27, 2026

Don't Miss What Happens Next in Space — Register for ASCEND 2026

The space community is energized. Join us in D.C. this May to turn that momentum into outcomes. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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The Space Community Is Energized. ASCEND Is What Comes Next.

The space community is energized right now. The Artemis II crew has returned. Questions about the future of space policy, national security, and the lunar economy are front and center. The momentum is real – and ASCEND 2026 is where it goes next.

From 19–21 May in Washington, D.C., ASCEND brings together the engineers, policymakers, investors, and leaders who don't just talk about our off-world future – they build it. With 130+ sessions, 190 technical papers, and 2,000 attendees from across the global space community, this is where ideas become outcomes.

REGISTER TODAY

This year's program spans the topics that matter most right now:

ASCEND is grounded in technical excellence and powered by AIAAand it's designed for everyone shaping the future of space, from seasoned executives to emerging leaders.

If you've been waiting for the right moment to register, this is it. Rooms at the Washington Hilton are available now at our conference rate, and both are going fast.

Register:https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowFLY265
Book your hotel:https://book.passkey.com/go/2026Ascend
Government rate hotel booking:https://book.passkey.com/go/26AscendGOV

We look forward to seeing you in D.C. in May!

Founding Sponsor

Premier Event Partner

Event Partners

Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring ASCEND 2026?
Contact eventsales@aiaa.org for more details.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND promotes 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!

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
12700 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200 • Reston, VA 20191-5807 • 1.800.639.AIAA (2422)

Space Minds: Optical links in contested space

04/27/2026

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Watch and listen to the Space Minds podcast by SpaceNews

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In this episode of Space Minds, we head back to Space Symposium where SpaceNews’ Sandra Erwin moderated a panel on how optical communication links can provide warfighters and operators with the data throughput, resilience and security they need in contested and congested environments. She speaks with GP Sandhoo, the acting director of the Space Development Agency, Mina Mitry, CEO and co-founder of Kepler, Jeff Huggins, president of Cailabs US and Sven Rettig, chief commercial officer of Tesat.

FROM THE CONVERSATION

Sandra Erwin: What do you think needs to happen in the industry to make [optical terminals] less expensive mand power demanding?

GP Sandhoo: On a macro point, we are there today in terms of optical terminals that are economic to produce, to buy, that have a high ROI for the user community. We're seeing users that can get five to 30 times more value out of their data if they can deliver it within low latency requirements.

FROM SPACENEWS

Work with SpaceNews at SmallSat Europe from May 26-28 in Amsterdam

A direct line to the clients you're trying to reach: As an official partner producing the Defense Stage during SmallSat Europe, SpaceNews will have prime visibility at the show. That translates directly into opportunity for your brand — whether you're exhibiting, announcing or simply looking to get in front of the right people. See everything we're offering at SmallSat Europe 2026 and find the right fit for your goals.

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