The Universe is Expanding.
ASCEND is Your Space.

The universe of opportunities to build, work, and live in space is expanding, and ASCEND is accelerating humanity’s progress toward our off-world future.

Powered by AIAA, this fast-growing annual event is propelling the global conversation about space commerce, exploration, and new discovery. We’re enabling a vital interdisciplinary ecosystem and building new on-ramps to space for all.

RSVP now for the 2021 edition, and start plotting your trajectory to ASCEND.

On the Horizon

Call for Content

Shape the Conversation at ASCEND
Mars astronaut
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ASCENDxWebinar

Maximizing Payload Success
Polar Exploration Rover 400
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ASCENDxSummit

Accelerating the Next-Generation Workforce
Planet explorers
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ASCEND is Your Community

From classrooms through careers, ASCEND is assembling the most technically, professionally, and culturally diverse space workforce pipeline on the planet. More than 6,000 participated in ASCEND events and activities in 2020, its inaugural year, and our 2021 program is taking off.
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6000

ASCENDEES

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32

COUNTRIES

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1300

ORGANIZATIONS

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125

UNIVERSITIES

Stellar Speakers, Timely Topics, Actionable Outcomes

ASCEND capitalizes on AIAA’s technical leadership, global access, and influence to present a world-class lineup of off-world experts.

Featured 2020 Speakers

BarbaraBarrett2

Barbara M. Barrett

Secretary of the Air Force
JimBridenstine2

James Bridenstine

Administrator, NASA
MarillynHewson2

Marillyn A. Hewson

Executive Chairman, Lockheed Martin Corporation
DhaniJones2

Dhani Jones

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, NFL Linebacker, Author and Host
AndyWeir2

Andy Weir

Author, The Martian and Artemis
KariByron2

Kari Byron

Producer and Television Personality
Meet All of Our 2020 Speakers

Your Off-World Future is Looking Up

While our vision looks to the stars, the ASCEND experience is grounded in these five fundamentals, the keys to everyone’s success in space:

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PARTNERS

ASCEND attracts the leaders, innovators and influencers you need to know, and who need to know you.

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PROJECTS

From one-off widgets to wholly integrated systems, big ideas bring us together.

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PROCESS

It’s the discipline in our DNA. It’s how we solve problems, building confidence every step of the way.

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POLICIES

We’re active advocates for laws, legislation, and regulations that encourage innovation and eliminate barriers to progress.

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PASSION

It’s sustainable.
It’s renewable.
It fuels us!

ASCEND illuminates the possibilities in all directions — especially if you’re looking up.

Build your off-world future faster at 2021 ASCEND

Look back at 2020 ASCEND.

VIEW 2020 WEBSITE