The Future of the Space Economy Starts Here

The space economy is accelerating, but where is it headed?

At ASCEND 2026, 19–21 May, in Washington, D.C., the leaders shaping the future of space business come together to tackle the questions that matter most:

Where are the strongest demand signals, and real opportunities, across the space sector?
What will drive sustainable growth in the global space economy?
How will government policy and defense priorities reshape commercial markets?
Where is capital flowing, and how are investors evaluating space opportunities today?
Which technologies and infrastructure will unlock the next phase of space commercialization, and what risks come with them?

We get it. Everyone is asking these questions. This is your chance to join the room where answers take shape.

ASCEND convenes industry executives, policymakers, investors, and innovators for candid conversations and actionable insight at the intersection of business, economics, and strategy.

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Featured sessions:

Global Economic Outlook and Its Implication for Space: Carissa Christensen, CEO of BryceTech, joins a global economic expert to discuss how macroeconomic and geopolitical forces will shape space investment and opportunity in the decade ahead.

Venture Capital Perspectives on Space: VC investors discuss how they evaluate space-sector opportunities, including key technologies, teams, and selection criteria, and share perspectives on emerging investment trends.

Power Pivots: Turning Signals into Strategy: Explores how space companies translate early technical, market, or customer-driven signals into informed strategic pivots.

One Small Step: Perfecting Public-Private Partnerships: A discussion on how to improve public-private partnerships in the space sector to better support innovation, investment, and long-term growth.

Planning for the Next 10-20 Years: Government Views on Future Space Capabilities: U.S. government leaders discuss the technology trends and strategic priorities shaping the future of the space enterprise and how agencies are preparing for the next 10–20 years.