We are excited to bring you a dynamic and enriching experience at ISDC 2026. Please note that our schedule is a living document reflecting the evolving nature of our conference. As we continue to finalize details, add engaging speakers, and curate impactful sessions, you may notice changes and updates to the schedule.
We encourage you to revisit this page regularly to stay informed about the latest developments and additions to our program. Our commitment is to provide you with the most rewarding and informative experience possible, and keeping the schedule up-to-date is a key part of that process.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for ISDC 2024!
Program At-A-Glance
WEDNESDAY
Full Day Events:
2 pm to 6 pm
Space Solar Power Symposium
Location
Seminar Room (Second Floor)
Notes
NSS focuses on Space Solar Power (SSP) as a clean energy solution, tracing back to the 1970s US origin, with growing global interest.
5:30 pm to 7 pm
Reception
Location
Prefunction
Notes
Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow attendees and industry professionals during a relaxed reception hour following the conference sessions.
Thursday
Full Day Events:
8:30 am to 9:45 am
Plenary with Steven Wolfe, President and Co-Founder, Beyond Earth Institute & Col. Karlton D. Johnson, USAF (Ret.), Chairman, NSS Board of Governors
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Pioneering the Final Frontier: Bold Innovations for the Next Era of Space Settlement & Shaping Public Policy to Enable Human Communities Beyond Earth
10 am to 10:45 am
Student Plenary with Rob Manning, Chief Engineer Emeritus, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Why Exploring Mars Is Fun?
10 am to 12 pm
Space Law & Policy
Location
Hermosa
Notes
Space riches raise questions of ownership; legal frameworks must evolve to prevent conflicts. Artemis Accords begin this journey, but universal agreement is pending. Join legal scholars to discuss space law's future.
Interplanetary Infrastructure
Location
Laguna
Notes
Multi-planetary expansion needs robust infrastructure for trade and connectivity. This session explores how such investments can aid human spread into the solar system, using proven tech to ensure economic viability.
Space Solar Power Symposium
Location
Seminar Room (Second Floor)
Notes
NSS focuses on Space Solar Power (SSP) as a clean energy solution, tracing back to the 1970s US origin, with growing global interest.
12 pm to 2 pm
Lunch with Rob Manning, Chief Engineer Emeritus, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Exploring the Solar System in the Age of AI: People Are Still Key
Rob Manning was Chief Engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as well as Chief Engineer for JPL’s Engineering and Science Directorate. An Engineering Fellow, he has been designing, testing and operating robotic spacecraft for 40 years including Galileo to Jupiter, Cassini to Saturn and Magellan to Venus and many Mars missions.
2 pm to 6 pm
Space Law & Policy
Location
Hermosa
Notes
Space riches raise questions of ownership; legal frameworks must evolve to prevent conflicts. Artemis Accords begin this journey, but universal agreement is pending. Join legal scholars to discuss space law's future.
Space Health
Location
Laguna
Notes
Explore space health innovations for Earth and beyond. Learn from NSS experts about deep space medicine and maintaining well-being across the cosmos. Join us!
Space Solar Power Symposium
Location
Seminar Room (Second Floor)
Notes
NSS focuses on Space Solar Power (SSP) as a clean energy solution, tracing back to the 1970s US origin, with growing global interest.
3:30 pm to 5 pm
NextGen with Jordan Noone, Co-Founder and General Partner, Embedded Ventures
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Navigating the Cosmic Economy; Future Human Skills in Space Technology
5:45 pm to 6:15 pm
Showcase Event
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Georgian Ensemble "Chakrulo" folk music performance sponsored by the Alexander Kartveli Association present the Legacy of the Voyager
6 pm to 7 pm
Reception
Location
Prefunction
Notes
Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow attendees and industry professionals during a relaxed reception hour following the conference sessions.
7 pm
Dinner with Jordan Noone, Co-Founder and General Partner, Embedded Ventures
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
3D Printing the Future
In 2015 at 22 years old, Jordan started Relativity Space, which was most recently valued at $4.2B. As Relativity's CTO for five years, Jordan focused on technical direction and engineering design. As leader of USC’s Rocket Propulsion Lab, Jordan became the first student and youngest individual in the world to receive Federal Aviation Administration clearance to fly a rocket into space.
Presenting of the NSS Chapter Awards
Presenting of Student “Live in a Healthy Space” Design Competition Grand Prize Award
8 pm to 9:30 pm
Movie Screening - The High Frontier: The Untold Story of Gerard K. O'Neill
Location
Redondo
Notes
The film tells the story of Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill who in 1977 wrote the book, The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space, which sparked a grassroots movement to build Earth-like habitats in space in order to solve Earth's greatest crises.
Friday
Full Day Events:
8:30 am to 9:45 am
Plenary Panel with Dennis Stone, Commercial Space Executive at Vast and
President of World Space Week Association, Dr. Leon Alkalai, CEO and Founder, Mandala Space Ventures, Mike Lewis, Chief Technology Officer, Voyager Space Exploration, Sergio Lucero, Operations Officer For Stellar Access & David Caponio, Senior Vice President, Product & Business Development, Vast
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Challenges for Commercial LEO Destinations
10 am to 10:45 am
Student Plenary with Susan Kilrain, Former NASA Astronaut
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
No Limits for An Unlikely Astronaut
10 am to 12 pm
Space Settlement
Location
Hermosa
Notes
NSS updates O'Neill's space settlement vision: rotating habitats, pseudo-gravity living, space farms, and lunar/Martian gravity effects. Join the talk!
Many Roads to Space
Location
Laguna
Notes
Explore varied paths to space settlement: biomedicine, agriculture, law, leisure, and more. Join 'Many Roads to Space' for innovative off-world living discussions.
Space For All
Location
Malibu
Notes
International collaboration fuels space development, uniting global resources, expertise, and visions, while navigating the dynamics of competition, legal frameworks, and public engagement.
Space Solar Power Symposium
Location
Seminar Room (Second Floor)
Notes
NSS focuses on Space Solar Power (SSP) as a clean energy solution, tracing back to the 1970s US origin, with growing global interest.
12 pm to 2 pm
Lunch with Susan Kilrain, Former NASA Astronaut
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
An Unlikely Astronaut
Commander Susan Kilrain is a renowned astronaut, a distinguished navy test pilot, and author. She is the youngest person, and one of only three women, to pilot the space shuttle. Susan flew as pilot of STS-83 and STS-94, spending more than 20 days in space.
Presenting of the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
2 pm to 6 pm
Space Settlement
Location
Hermosa
Notes
NSS updates O'Neill's space settlement vision: rotating habitats, pseudo-gravity living, space farms, and lunar/Martian gravity effects. Join the talk!
Many Roads to Space
Location
Laguna
Notes
Explore varied paths to space settlement: biomedicine, agriculture, law, leisure, and more. Join 'Many Roads to Space' for innovative off-world living discussions.
Planetary Defense
Location
Malibu
Notes
Join leaders to discuss defending Earth from NEOs with detection, prep, and mitigation strategies, informed by missions like OSIRIS-REx and DART. Share research and ideas.
Space Solar Power Symposium
Location
Seminar Room (Second Floor)
Notes
NSS focuses on Space Solar Power (SSP) as a clean energy solution, tracing back to the 1970s US origin, with growing global interest.
3:30 pm to 5 pm
NextGen with Dr. Pascal Lee, with Dr. Pascal Lee, Co-founder and Chairman, Mars Institute
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
The Human Exploration Of Mars: The What, Why, How, When, Where and Who of Our First Journeys To Mars
6 pm to 7 pm
Reception
Location
Prefunction
Notes
Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow attendees and industry professionals during a relaxed reception hour following the conference sessions.
7 pm
Governor's Dinner with Max Haot, CEO of Vast
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Live in Space
Max Haot is an aerospace, consumer electronic, and internet entrepreneur. Previously Max was CEO at Launcher. Max has founded, scaled, and successfully sold four companies including Launcher (acquired by Vast), Mevo (acquired by Logitech), and Livestream (acquired by IAC/Vimeo). Vast is developing artificial gravity space stations.
Presenting of the NSS 2024 Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award to William Shatner
Presenting of the NSS Activist of the Year Award & Excellence Awards
Saturday
Full Day Events:
8:30 am to 9:45 am
Plenary Panel with Phnam Bagley, Partner and Creative Director at Nonfiction, Aidyl S. Gonzalez-Serricho, Outreach Director, International Institute of Astronautical Sciences, Susan Kilrain, Former NASA Astronaut & Dr. Shawna Pandya, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences Space Medicine Group
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Empowering Women in Aerospace: Trailblazers Above: Women Advancing the Science and Technology of Space
8 am to 10 am
NSS Chapters Assembly
Location
Seminar Room (2nd floor)
Notes
Open to all conference attendees. Come and learn more about the NSS and NSS regional chapters.
10 am to 10:45 am
Student Plenary with Dr. Alan Stern, Associate Vice President, Southwest Research Institute
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Alan’s Journey from Scientist to Explorer and Adventurer
10 am to 12 pm
Mars
Location
Hermosa
Notes
Mars exploration is nearing reality with global efforts ramping up. Get the latest insights from ISDC's Mars sessions on the new dawn of Martian endeavors.
Investments in Space
Location
Laguna
Notes
Explore the future of NewSpace investment with industry veterans, focusing on the evolution from launch services to sustaining interplanetary life.
LaunchPad
Location
Malibu
Notes
Catch the newest space ideas at ISDC's Launch Pad Talks: quick, innovative insights from fresh voices in space exploration and settlement. Don't miss out!
spUN Debates (8:30 AM & 10:30 AM)
Location
Redondo
Notes
Engage in the future of space at NSS SpUN Debates! Students argue space settlement strategies, tech challenges, and ethical implications. Join the discourse!
12 pm to 2 pm
Lunch with Dr. Alan Stern, Associate Vice President, Southwest Research Institute
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
My First Commercial Human Suborbital Research Flight
Dr. Alan Stern is a planetary scientist, adventurer, and author. Alan’s adventurous spirit led him to successfully travel to the farthest depths of the ocean to visit the Titanic in the ill-fated Titan sub and launch into space on a suborbital flight through Virgin Galactic. Alan led NASA’s New Horizons mission to the Pluto system and the Kuiper Belt.
2 pm to 6 pm
Mars
Location
Hermosa
Notes
Mars exploration is nearing reality with global efforts ramping up. Get the latest insights from ISDC's Mars sessions on the new dawn of Martian endeavors.
Rothblatt Business Plan Competition
Location
Redondo
Notes
The 4th Rothblatt Space Settlement in Our Lifetime Business Plan Competition consists of three awards of $16,000, $10,000, and $6,000 USD for the best business plans that that advance space settlement in our lifetime.
Space Ambassadors
Location
Malibu
Notes
Become a voice for space with NSS! Travel, educate, and inspire as a Space Ambassador. Minimal training, vast impact. Join our mission for human settlement!
Space Elevators
Location
Laguna
Notes
The Dual Space Access Strategy merges rockets and space elevators, promising routine, green, and efficient cargo transport to space. Join experts to explore this transformative infrastructure.
3:30 pm to 5 pm
NextGen with Isaac Arthur, Science & Futurism & Brian McManus, Real Engineering
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Engineering the Future
6 pm to 7 pm
Reception
Location
Prefunction
Notes
Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow attendees and industry professionals during a relaxed reception hour following the conference sessions.
7 pm
Dinner with Dr. Claire Leon, Director, Space Systems Integration Office, United States Space Force, Space Systems Command
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Our Future in Space
Dr. Claire Leon leads the Space Systems Integration Office (SSIO) for the Space Systems Command within the United States Space Force. She leads the SSIO team in uniting the Systems-of-Systems integration effort across all SSC PEO portfolios and with mission partners in the National Security Space enterprise.
Presenting of Rothblatt Space Settlement in Our Lifetime Prize
Presenting of Student Space Settlement Contest Grand Prize Award
9:30 pm - 12:30 pm
L.A. Rocks ISDC - Saturday Night Party
Location
California Ballroom
Notes
Join us for the ISDC® 2024 weekend party on Saturday night. Come dance to the sounds of The Zippers.
SUNDAY
Full Day Events:
8:30 am to 9:45 am
Plenary Panel with Isaac Arthur, Host and Executive Producer, Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur on YouTube, President, National Space Society, Brian McManus, Creator and Host, Real Engineering on YouTube, Founder, Junto Media Ltd, Daniel Suarez, award-winning, New York Times bestselling science fiction author, & Rod Pyle, Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra Magazine
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
No HAL 9000s Please: The Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement
10 am to 11:30 am
Morning Student Plenary Panel with Nancy C. Wolfson, The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Nahum Melamed, Project Leader, The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Hao Cao, Assistant Professor, University Of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) & Dr. Peter A. Swan, President, International Space Elevator Consortium
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Planetary Defense: Defending Earth from Dangerous Asteroids and Comets
10 am to 12 pm
Moon
Location
Hermosa
Notes
The Moon: close yet unclaimed. ISDC's Moon session gathers top minds to delve into lunar exploration and settlement. We're at a pivotal moment!
Aerospace Legacy
Location
Laguna
Notes
The Aerospace Legacy Foundation (ALF) educates on technology, explores aerospace history, and preserves heritage while looking to the industry's future.” (While you’re at it, the Aerospace Legacy subtitle on the Sessions Page can be “Preservation and Innovation
Living in Space
Location
Malibu
Notes
Space farming reimagined! Experts discuss technologies for sustainable off-world living. How will we bring our biological environment to space? Join us.
12 pm to 2 pm
Lunch with Rod Pyle, Space Author & Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra Magazine
Location
Grand ABC
Notes
A Month on Mars
Rod Pyle is an accomplished author, editor, and keynote speaker, renowned for his extensive work in space exploration and development. He has penned 18 influential books, with standout titles like “Space 2.0,” “Interplanetary Robots,” and “Heroes of the Space Age.” Pyle holds a pivotal role as the Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, the official publication of the National Space Society.
Presentation of the NSS Space Pioneer Award
2 pm to 6 pm
Moon
Location
Hermosa
Notes
The Moon: close yet unclaimed. ISDC's Moon session gathers top minds to delve into lunar exploration and settlement. We're at a pivotal moment!
Living in Space
Location
Malibu
Notes
Space farming reimagined! Experts discuss technologies for sustainable off-world living. How will we bring our biological environment to space? Join us.
Science Fiction to Fact
Location
Laguna
Notes
Sci-Fi's future is now! SpaceX's reusable rockets & 'Star Trek' tech are just the start. Next up: nuclear propulsion? Join the ISDC discussion.
2 pm to 5 pm
Student Recognition Ceremony with Jose M. Hernandez, Former NASA Astronaut & Bryan Versteeg, Conceptual Designer, Spacehabs.com,
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
Coming Soon
6 pm to 7 pm
Reception
Location
Prefunction
Notes
Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow attendees and industry professionals during a relaxed reception hour following the conference sessions.
7 pm
Dinner with Jose M. Hernandez, Former NASA Astronaut, & Brian McManus, Founder of Junto Media Ltd
Location
Grand DEF
Notes
José M. Hernández is a former NASA Astronaut, was selected as part of NASA’s 19th class of astronauts in 2004 where he trained and served as the flight engineer on the 2009 14-day STS-128 mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. An inspirational new movie “A Million Miles Away” shows Hernández’s journey from migrant farmworker to astronaut in outer space.
Presentation of the NSS Space Pioneer Award
Detailed Daily Schedules for ISDC 2024
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