Classified Day at ASCEND
18 May 2026 | The Aerospace Corporation, Chantilly, VA
This TS/SCI/TK/NF-only gathering unites space investors, Pentagon and agency leaders, and major and emerging industry players to tackle the critical challenges slowing the U.S. space sector's response to national security "go-faster" directives.
THE GOAL: spark a modern industrial revolution in defense space by aligning government needs with rapid commercial solutions.
Hosted by:
The U.S. cannot afford to move slowly in space. This Classified Day at ASCEND puts national security leaders and commercial innovators in the same room to break down the barriers standing between today’s capabilities and tomorrow’s requirements. Policy. Production. Speed. This is where decisions get made. Missing it means missing the conversation that shapes what gets built and when.
Classified Day requires a separate registration and fee and is not included with ASCEND registration.
REGISTRATION FOR CLASSIFIED DAY CLOSES 4 MAY.
KEYNOTES
Senior national security leaders set the strategic context for accelerating the U.S. space industrial base.
INDUSTRY PANEL
Providing a platform for industry to address three critical challenges:
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Going Faster
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Synchronizing Investments
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Building innovation ecosystems
STRATEGIC INNOVATION SANDBOX
An immersive, cross-sector experience led by Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy and Strategic Foresight teams — roundtable discussions aimed at priming America’s space industry to solve critical national security challenges.
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2026 Sponsors & Event Partners
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