ASCEND is an acronym that stands for “Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery.” The name captures our ambition to empower space professionals and organizations to drive the space economy forward together.

ASCEND is built to convene space professionals and organizations from every discipline and industry to build the space economy, support space exploration, and further space science.

Our attendees come from all of the following groups:

ASCEND is built around asking the big idea questions that impact everyone working or studying in the space industry. We’re collaborating with our engineering, business, civil, and governmental advisors to select the cutting-edge topics and reaching out to space adjacent partners to bring in the whole space community.

The 2025  program will be announced from 24 March and offered through July.

The best way to impact the content at ASCEND is to propose your own work! Learn more about our Call for Content for 2025 (now closed) and stay tuned for the next Call for Content in 2026.

We would also love to hear your ideas for speakers and topics in the meantime. To share those ideas, send us an email at ascend@aiaa.org.

As one of ASCEND’s partners, you will be able to further its position by playing a lead role in defining the promise and potential of the emerging space economy.

Visit the Become a Sponsor page or send us an email at vickies@aiaa.org and we’ll help you customize your experience and impact at ASCEND.

The ASCEND program is built with the combined expertise of AIAA’s technical community and industry thought leaders. The structure and experience itself are being crafted with the support of world-renowned advisors in the space industry.

Check out the stacked Guiding Coalition for 2025 and get excited for the sessions these folks are cooking up for ASCEND this year.

Yes. All technical proceedings will be available online post-event as an exclusive benefit to registered attendees. In addition, various ASCEND programming will conclude with Outcomes via video, white paper, or other media and be available online as developed post-event.

The ASCEND universe is expanding to meet and anticipate the ever-growing needs of the global space community. The structure of ASCEND includes various other events, identified as the ASCENDxSeries, leading up to the apex event in July.

The ASCENDxSeries provides multiple informational and engaging opportunities, via summits, workshops, and/or webinars.

Check out the upcoming events or recordings of previous xSeries events.

All Technical Paper Presentations will take place in person in Las Vegas.

Registration is open for 2025 ASCEND.

Early bird rates expire at 11:59 PM ET on 23 June 2025.

Registration will remain open beyond the early bird deadline through the duration of the event. There will be onsite registration available.

Registration is in the Foyer outside Forum Ballroom.

Registration Desk Hours

All badges can be accessed onsite at the Scan & Go Kiosks in the registration area by scanning the QR code from your registration confirmation. If you don’t have a QR code, you can type in your name. If you need a copy of your confirmation resent, please contact, custserv@aiaa.org.

Full conference registrants will have access to proceedings. Other registration types (Student and Retiree) do not have access to the proceedings (publications)

If you register and you’re not able to attend, you can request a full refund prior to 3 July 2025. After that date refund requests will not be granted.

Yes, we do! This is an exclusive benefit for current AIAA student members. Refer to the registration rates page for rules and restrictions.

We do offer a discount for AIAA members as well as additional discounts for different types of membership. Details can be found on the registration page.

Yes, ASCEND welcomes all credentialed members of the media whose primary responsibility is the coverage of the aerospace industry.

This year’s main event will take place in person at Caesars Forum, in Las Vegas, NV.

Discounted hotel rates are available for ASCEND attendees. Rates for Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel + Experience and  Flamingo Las Vegas are available through 26 June 2025 and do not include taxes.

Book your room now:

• General Attendee Rates
• Government Attendee Rates

Yes – all Technical Paper Presenters, Speakers, Chairs, and all others attendees must be registered to enter the venue.

Yes, you can find the AIAA Visa Letter Request form at Visa Invitation Letter Request Form | AIAA

Yes! The AIAA Events App is the official app of ASCEND. The platform will allow you to easily access the program, speakers, event schedule, exhibitors, and technical paper abstracts. In-app features allow you to:

• Create your personalized on-site schedule
• Bookmark sessions and speakers
• Sync your planner (desktop schedule) to your mobile device
• Network with other attendees (login required for all parties)
• Take notes on sessions you attend
• Access the final program, technical sessions matrix, and committee meeting schedule

DOWNLOAD (ANDROID)
DOWNLOAD (IPHONE)

Once you download the app, select “AVIATION Forum and ASCEND” and click open. Using the Login Settings button on the home screen, you’ll be able to log in using your confirmation ID (located in your registration confirmation email and on your conference badge) and last name. The AIAA AVIATION Forum and ASCEND programs are available on the bottom toolbar.

Users who attended 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum can toggle the AIAA AVIATION Forum and ASCEND event by navigating to more on the bottom toolbar and selecting change event. You may have to update the AIAA Events App before being able to log in.