With Artemis, commercial LEO destinations, and Mars preparation converging, NASA faces the challenge of turning ambitious strategies into actionable outcomes. This session will feature an opening address outlining the agency’s long-term objectives, followed by a fireside chat exploring the tactical steps required to get there. The conversation will examine issues such as sustaining demand in LEO, mitigating risks for lunar and Mars missions, and aligning government, industry, and international collaboration. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of NASA’s trajectory and the opportunities that lie ahead for Texas-based and national stakeholders.  

As humanity pushes farther into space, infrastructure is everything. This session brings together leaders advancing the transport and support systems that connect missions to outcomes: launch vehicles, space-based power, and integrated logistics. These systems are redefining what’s possible for exploration, defense, and commercial markets alike. Attendees will gain insight into how transport and support capabilities can unlock new mission architectures and business models, ensuring resilience and continuity in the face of rapidly growing demand.

As we prepare for sustained lunar operations and eventual Mars missions, human exploration risks and readiness remain central challenges. Representatives from NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) and biomedical experts will assess current capabilities, identify the most pressing risks for long-duration spaceflight, and explore how LEO platforms—including commercial destinations—can provide critical demand signals and testbeds. This session will highlight where medical, biological, and operational readiness intersect with mission timelines, and how Texas institutions can help close key gaps.  

Flight operations demand precision, but success comes from integration. From astronaut training to mid-system engineering, every element of mission planning must connect seamlessly to the logistics chain that supports it. This session will highlight how operations teams, integrators, and contractors align training regimens, vehicle systems, and support structures to ensure that mission execution is both safe and adaptable. Attendees will gain a perspective on how disparate efforts—crew readiness, systems integration, and operational planning—combine to deliver successful outcomes across LEO, lunar, and deep-space missions.

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The strength of the space economy lies in the connections between its sectors. This keynote will examine how policy, industry, and research institutions can better integrate to drive exploration, security, and economic growth.

Texas has positioned itself at the forefront of U.S. space policy and investment, leveraging a powerful combination of legislative action, workforce pipelines, and industry–government collaboration. With the creation of the Texas Space Commission (TSC), the Aerospace and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC), and dedicated legislative champions, the state is building a framework that ties space innovation directly to economic growth and talent development. In this session, leaders driving Texas’ strategic agenda will highlight legislative initiatives, education and research investments, industry partnerships, and long-term priorities for sustaining Texas as a hub for commercial and government space activity.  

The Texas Space Institute was launched to connect Texas’ powerful academic base with its thriving commercial and government space sector. This session will offer an inside look at how that mission is progressing, including updates on partnerships and plans for long-term infrastructure development. The conversation will explore how the Institute is positioning itself as a testing ground and innovation pipeline for exploration technologies, while also providing pathways for workforce training and research collaboration. By integrating the strengths of universities, startups, and established contractors, the Institute aims to accelerate Texas’ role in shaping the future of human exploration and space commercialization.  

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From spacecraft integration and in-space services to mission support and systems engineering, Texas space suppliers are proving indispensable to NASA, DoD, and commercial customers alike. This session will spotlight the capabilities and new thrusts of Texas suppliers, offering an overview of how they are positioning themselves to meet national and global demand. At the same time, the panel will confront the state’s most pressing challenge: developing and sustaining the workforce necessary to deliver on ambitious timelines. How can Texas better align its educational institutions, training programs, and industry needs? How can suppliers adapt to fierce global competition for technical talent? Attendees will walk away with a clear picture of where Texas suppliers are leading, where the gaps remain, and what opportunities lie ahead.

As we conclude ASCENDxTexas 2026, this keynote celebrates the discoveries that remind us why we explore. From deep-space telescopes mapping the farthest reaches of the universe to experiments on the ISS and emerging lunar missions, science is driving innovation across every sector. These breakthroughs fuel education, industry, and exploration, creating momentum that carries us into the next great era of discovery. Space science is more than data—it’s about sparking imagination, building industries of the future, and inspiring the next generation of explorers.