Space & Society
ASCEND is committed to addressing workforce challenges, education, and societal impacts in the commercial space industry. Join us as we explore new solutions and industry collaborations.
Community & Collaboration
A Workforce For The Future
Explore the transformative impact of space activities on society and delve into the intricate dynamics of the aerospace industry’s workforce, driven by the recent surge in commercial space endeavors. As the industry booms, so do challenges in workforce retention and management, urging us to prioritize solutions.
Technological advancements in artificial intelligence, human-robot collaboration, and cybersecurity are reshaping our system requirements and educational needs for aerospace engineers. These changes extend beyond industry, influencing societal, cultural, and artistic landscapes.
ASCEND will address these multifaceted issues, facilitating a deeper understanding of space activities’ impact on society and fostering solutions to accelerate the space ecosystem.
Join the Conversation!
Building Tomorrow: Engineering the Sci-Fi Future in Space
In-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) was once purely science fiction, represented in intergalactic resource transportation, starship repair, and moon-sized space stations.
Commercial Space Health: Partnering to Benefit All Who Fly in Space
As part of ASCEND’s Space Health Care focus this year, leaders from NASA and multiple commercial spaceflight companies will discuss mutual interests in collecting biomedical data to uncover the broader human response to spaceflight and to protect all who fly in space.
Large Language Models: How Do They Work and How Can You Use Them?
Large language models (LLMs) are powerful new tools that are already benefiting the aerospace industry, and it’s important for engineers and leaders to understand their inner workings to maximize their value.
Powering the Future: High-Performance Computing in Space and Defense
High-performance computing (HPC) is revolutionizing space and defense by enabling real-time data processing, simulations, and AI insights.
Frontiers for AI & Autonomy in Space
Our industry offers many novel technical challenges, and employers may find themselves looking for skill sets that are not provided in traditional university programs.
Power Technologies to Enable Moon to Mars and Beyond
In 2024, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate released a list of shortfalls – technology areas requiring further development to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs.
