We are on the cusp of a new era in our quest to become an interplanetary civilization. Our Living in Space session offers presentations covering a broad range of topics related to humans living and working in space. Some of the finest thinkers offer their expertise and insight into transforming our dreams into reality by achieving these lofty goals. Past presentations have covered topics related to psychological issues, including the latest research findings regarding, the effects of AI psychotherapy, aesthetics, color, light, and music on the human psyche. Medical research considerations are often on the agenda, and have included information related to astronaut training, radiation, gravity, and genetic modification. Frequently findings and reports from both earth-based analog and real off-world missions on Mars, such as the Perseverance Rover Mission, are presented by leaders in those fields. Typically we close our session with a lively and engaging panel on a timely topic of interest. Audience participation is welcome.
Expect to come away with greater appreciation of this, humans living in space, our most challenging and ambitious objective to date. Our future is filled with limitless possibilities!
| Morning Session · 10:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| 10:00 am | Human Science on Mars: Exploration and Discoveries on the Red Frontier Dr. Jim Bell — Arizona State University |
| 10:45 am | NSS Student Space Settlement Contest Presentation |
| 11:00 am | How We Can Settle Mars, and Why We Must Dr. Robert Zubrin — Mars Society |
| 12:00 noon — Break | |
| Afternoon Session · 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm | |
| 2:00 pm | Moon and Mars Bases: Lessons from the Arctic and Antarctica Dr. Pascal Lee — SETI Institute, Mars Institute, NASA Ames Research Center |
| 2:30 pm | Genetic Bottlenecks: How Few People Can Start a World? Or Restart One? Isaac Arthur — National Space Society |
| 3:00 pm | Leading the Commercial Spaceflight Era: Blue Origin Astronaut Leadership Patterns and Trends Over Time Dr. Gretchen Green (Blue Origin Commercial Astronaut) and Julia Lantos (Saint Mary’s School) |
| 4:00 pm | Problematic Use of Artificial Intelligence: Psychological Risks for Astronauts Dr. Logan Smith — Space Psychology Institute |
| 4:45 pm | Into the Deep: From the Blue Economy to the Space Economy Nick Georges — Central Wyoming College and Astra Nova |
| 5:00 pm |
Panel: Moon vs. Mars vs. Somewhere Else: Settling Space in the Next 30 Years
Moderator: Dr. Logan Smith (Space Psychology Institute) Panelists: Isaac Arthur (National Space Society), Dr. Gretchen Green (Blue Origin Commercial Astronaut), and Julia Lantos (Saint Mary’s School) |
| 6:00 pm — End of Living In Space Session | |
Living in Space
Session Co-Chair Info
Dr. Sherry Bell
Dean of Psychology, Kepler Space University
Dr. Sherry E. Bell stands as a distinguished luminary at the unique crossroads of advanced behavioral science and humanity’s ambition to settle the cosmos. As the esteemed Dean of Psychology at Kepler Space University, her groundbreaking work in Industrial/Organizational Psychology provides critical insights into the human factors essential for long-duration space missions and sustainable off-world communities. Dr. Bell’s academic foundation is robust, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Read More
Dr. Alla Malko
NSS Awards Committee
After graduating from the Moscow Institute of Energy with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Malko started her professional career in Institute of Nuclear Research of Science Academy in the former Soviet Union. Later she married and moved to the Dominican Republic, where she became a Physics professor at Catholic University of Madre and Maestra. Her second professional career was in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture after earning a Read More
Haroon Oqab
Co-Founder and President, Kepler Space University
Haroon B. Oqab is the Co-Founder and President of Kepler Space University, whose mission is to benefit society and advance human knowledge and expertise. The University is dedicated to the expansion of human civilization from Earth to Space, and is committed to discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge, educating the next generation of leaders, and the development of human space exploration. Haroon is a scientist, astronautical physicist and entrepreneur with Read More
Living in Space
Session Speakers Info
Isaac Arthur
President, National Space Society
Isaac Arthur is the host and executive producer of Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur (SFIA) on YouTube, with over a million followers and over 800 episodes covering topics like Colonizing the Solar System, Interstellar Travel, the Fermi Paradox, Artificial Intelligence, Biotech, Cybernetics, and other topics representing possible futures paths and challenges for humanity. Isaac has given guest lectures and presentations to the US Air Force Academy, MIT Lincoln Labs, Read More
Dr. Jim Bell
Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
Dr. Jim Bell is a Regents Professor in the School of Earth & Space Exploration at Arizona State University, a Distinguished Visiting Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Director of ASU’s campus-wide “NewSpace” Initiative that connects faculty, staff, and students with commercial space companies. He is an active astronomer and planetary scientist focusing on the geology, composition, and mineralogy of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Jim has supported Read More
Nick Georges
Space Entrepreneur, Central Wyoming College and Astra Nova
Nick works at the intersection of space science, Earth systems, and human culture, exploring how knowledge is developed, preserved, and applied across generations. His work combines research, storytelling, and public speaking, with a focus on space exploration, sustainability, and lessons drawn from both modern science and long-standing human experience. Read More
Dr. Gretchen Green
Astronaut, Explorer, Educator, The Expert Resource
Gretchen Green, MD, MMS, is the first woman physician commercial astronaut (Blue Origin NS-32). She is a physician, entrepreneur, and educator, and the founder of The Expert Resource. She focuses on leadership, education, and commercialization in space, and serves on the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation board. Dr. Green speaks globally on purpose-driven exploration. Read More
Julia Lantos
Research Assistant, Sophomore, Saint Mary’s School
Julia Lantos is a research assistant and sophomore at Saint Mary’s School. She is a Young Women’s Leadership Institute alumna, a Save Space Camp campaign contributor, and a Space Camp/Aviation Challenge alumna and ambassador. She will be co-presenting with Dr. Gretchen Green. After attending Dr. Green’s launch, she examines leadership and innovation in future commercial crews and plans a medical career with a neuroscience background. Read More
Dr. Pascal Lee
Planetary Scientist, SETI Institute and Mars Institute - ISDC 2026 Co-Chair
Dr. Pascal Lee is a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute, the Mars Institute, and NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. He is also professor of planetary sciences at Kepler Space University, and chief scientist for Ceres Robotics, a NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) industry provider. He also serves as the National Space Society’s Vice-President for Planetary Development. Dr. Lee holds an M.E. in geology from the Read More
Dr. Logan Smith
Psychologist and Independent Researcher
Dr. Logan Smith is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a researcher who has been published in numerous academic journals. His space-related research focuses on the psychology and mental health of the spaceflight environment, with an emphasis on predicting and preventing mental illnesses and suicidal behavior. Outside of the spaceflight industry, Dr. Smith researches suicide prevalence, prediction, and prevention. His clinical practice uses evidence-based treatments for high-risk or complex cases, and Read More
Dr. Robert Zubrin
President, Mars Society, Pioneer Astronautics
Dr. Robert Zubrin is President of Pioneer Astronautics, an aerospace R&D company located in Lakewood, Colorado. He is also the founder and President of the Mars Society. Formerly a Staff Engineer at Lockheed Martin Astronautics in Denver, he holds a Masters degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Washington. Zubrin is the author of 9 books, 15 patents, and over 200 published Read More