During the Space Age, the United States sent astronauts to the lunar surface six times, exploring a tiny fraction of its equatorial regions. Before and since that time, a handful of robotic explorers have expanded these investigations incrementally. Lunar orbiters have mapped the entirety of the lunar surface in the past few decades … yet this closest of Earth’s neighbors remains just out of reach for habitation and exploitation. But this situation is at a crossroads, with the spacefaring powers of Earth, and many private companies in the U.S. and abroad, poised to reach the Moon within the decade. How will we best explore, prospect, and settle our natural satellite? The Moon session at ISDC will bring together some of our finest thinkers to explore the subject in depth.
| Morning Session · 10:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| 10:00 am | Fireside Chat: The Moon: Past, Present, and Future Dr. Harrison H. "Jack" Schmitt — Apollo 17 Astronaut, Dr. Pascal Lee — SETI Institute, Mars Institute & NASA Ames Research Center, Rod Pyle — National Space Society |
| 10:30 am | Building the First Lunar City – The Largest Infrastructure Mobilization in Human History Jim Keravala — OffWorld |
| 10:40 am | Where Should the Artemis Moon Base Be Established?: The Case for an Off-Polar Site Dr. Pascal Lee — SETI Institute, Mars Institute & NASA Ames Research Center |
| 10:50 am | First Sites, First Principles: Mapping the Foundations of Lunar Governance Michelle Hanlon — Air and Space Law at Ole Miss |
| 11:00 am | NSS Student Space Settlement Contest Presentation |
| 11:15 am | Much Needed Cargo for the Moon Ajay Kothari — Astrox Corp |
| 11:25 am | The Lunar Triad: Integrating ISRU Mining, Photonic Data Mesh, and Multi-Modal Habitats for a Self-Sustaining Settlement William Kemp — Aethon Space, Inc. |
| 11:35 am | Lunar Orbital Infrastructure for a Sustainable Lunar Economy Antonio Stark — ispace, Inc. |
| 11:45 am | Lunar Logistics Architecture with Permanent Earth-Based Infrastructure Dr. Peter Swan — International Space Elevator Consortium |
| 12:00 noon — Break | |
| Afternoon Session · 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm | |
| 2:00 pm | Panel: International Activities & Advocacy Joseph Pelton — ACES-ISU, Dr. James Green — NASA (retired), Jim Keravala — OffWorld, Michelle Hanlon — Air and Space Law at Ole Miss, Dr. Fredrick Jenet — National Space Society, David Jun Yang — Tsinghua Shanghai International Innovation Center · Moderator: Dr. Bernard Foing — Space Renaissance International |
| 2:40 pm | Quo Vadis, Artemis? Artemis Follow-On Missions Madhu Thangavelu — University of Southern California Viterbi School of Astronautical Engineering |
| 2:50 pm | Can We Terraform the Moon? Joseph Pelton — ACES-ISU |
| 3:00 pm | An End-to-End Robotic Process to Sandbag Regolith for Radiation Shielding of Habitats on the Moon and Mars Ela Sen — Mars Institute |
| 3:10 pm | Offworld Arcology for Sustainable Infrastructure and Settlement (OASIS) Gary Barnhard — Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships |
| 3:20 pm | MoonArch: A Modular Regolith-Based Habitat System for Sustainable Lunar Bases Ayse Oren — DesignArt |
| 3:30 pm | Instruments and Moonbase Astronauts Simulations: ILEWG LUNEX EuroMoonMars Dr. Bernard Foing — Space Renaissance International |
| 3:40 pm | Lunar Coral Propagation: Wetlabs as a Staging Platform for Mars Settlement and Terraforming John Parks — ExoScientific |
| 3:50 pm | Novel Junction Design for Cryogenic Fluid Transfer on the Moon Braedyn Kim — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| 4:00 pm | Blue Ghost & Beyond: Repeatable Moon Landings Jesus Charles and Lauren Arkell — Firefly Aerospace |
| 4:20 pm | Raising the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of Your Lunar Payload Anastasia Ford (NASA STMD, NASA JSC Science & Engineering |
| 4:30 pm | Pathogenic Engineering, Salutogenic Architecture: A Critical Framework Approach for Space Habitats & Interiors Stephanie Brick — Salutogenic Design & Consulting Group |
| 4:40 pm | A Rock and a Hard (and Cold) Place: Risk-Informed Choices in Lunar Sampling and Site Planning Dr. Caitlin Ahrens — NASA GSFC/UMD |
| 4:40 pm | Preliminary Pressurized Rover Traverse Paths from Clavius Crater to NASA Artemis Candidate Landing Regions Near the Lunar South Pole Apoorva Somani — United States Air Force Academy |
| 5:00 pm | Dual-Stage Excavation and Autonomous Material Handling for Dust Prevention in Lunar Regolith Operations Luis Torres — Torres Orbital Mining, Inc. |
| 5:10 pm | Beyond Energy: Why Water Will Define the Future of AI and Space Systems David Jun Yang — Tsinghua Shanghai International Innovation Center |
| 5:20 pm | Debris Remediation Credits (DRCs): A Tokenized Market Mechanism for Sustainable Cislunar Commerce Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba — Vicillion & University of Florida |
| 5:30 pm | Panel: Law and Policy Steven Marvin, Dale Skran — National Space Society, Jeffrey Liss — National Space Society, Dr. Fredrick Jenet — National Space Society · Moderator: Michelle Hanlon — Air and Space Law at Ole Miss |
| 6:00 pm — End of Moon Symposium Session | |
Moon Symposium
Session Chair Info
Madhu Thangavelu
Department of Astronautical Engineering USC Viterbi School of Engineering and USC School of Architecture
Madhu Thangavelu conducts the ASTE527 graduate Space Exploration Architectures Concept Synthesis Studio in the Department of Astronautical Engineering within the Viterbi School of Engineering, and he is also a graduate thesis adviser in the School of Architecture at USC. He holds degrees in both engineering and architecture and has contributed extensively to concepts in space architecture, especially dealing with extraterrestrial development. He is the author or co-author of over 70 Read More
Zaheer Ali
Space Paladin, Director of the Space MBA Program, University of Central Florida
Zaheer Ali is a physicist, technologist, and educator working at the intersection of AI, quantum, and space systems. He is Space Paladin, Director of the Space MBA program at the University of Central Florida. In addition, he is a partner at Space Outcomes LLC, NewSpace Finance, and co-founder of Positon Inc., he has held leadership roles at NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, Hewlett Packard, and multiple startups. He has Read More
Moon Symposium
Session Speakers Info
Dr. Harrison H. "Jack" Schmitt
Apollo 17 NASA Astronaut
Harrison Hagan Schmitt landed in the Valley of Taurus-Littrow as the only scientist and the last of 12 men to step on the Moon during the Apollo Program. Schmitt consults with a number of commercial and governmental entities on aerospace and Earth and space science issues. He also continues to participate in research and publications related to his December 1972 exploration of the valley of Taurus-Littrow on the Moon. Significant Read More
Dr. James L. Green
Former NASA Chief Scientist
Jim Green, now retired, was a scientist and senior advisor in the Office of the Chief Scientist at NASA. Prior to this appointment, he had been NASA’s Chief Scientist and was the longest serving director of the Planetary Science Division with the overall programmatic responsibility for the New Horizons spacecraft flyby of Pluto, the Juno spacecraft to Jupiter, and the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars, just to name Read More
Caitlin Ahrens
Assistant Research Scientist, NASA GSFC/UMD
Dr. Caitlin Ahrens is an assistant research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland. She is a member of the Diviner Science Team with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the American Society of Civil Engineers Aerospace Division working on lunar architecture and construction. She serves as a technical support scientist to assist in risk assessments of lunar surface activity. Dr. Ahrens is PI on lunar Read More
Lauren Arkell
Functional Test Engineer, Firefly Aerospace
Lauren Arkell is a Functional Test Engineer at Firefly Aerospace and served as a Flight Controller during Blue Ghost Mission 1, which completed the first successful commercial Moon landing. Prior to Firefly, Lauren served as a Mission Engineer at Genesis Engineering Solutions, a NASA Goddard contractor, supporting JPSS and GENSAT missions. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Davidson College. Read More
Gary Barnhard
CEO, Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships, Inc
Gary Pearce Barnhard is the President and CEO of Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships, Inc. (XISP-Inc), a company focused on Cislunar mission development. He is a computer, robotics, power, and space systems engineer by profession; an architect by avocation; and a scientist by worldview, necessity, and spiritual practice. He is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA; a Member of the AIAA Space Automation and Robotics and Space Settlements Technical Committees; a Read More
Stephanie Brick
Founder, Licensed Architect, Salutogenic Design & Consulting Group
Stephanie Brick, RA, WELL AP, LEED GA, MDS, BArch is a licensed architect and leading subject matter expert (SME) on implementing salutogenic and biophilic design in unique spaces, with an expertise in high-stress/highly disconnected facilities. With nearly a decade of civilian service, she blazed the trail in the U.S. Department of War as one of the leading experts in salutogenic design to improve health and well-being in the military and Read More
Jesus Charles
Flight Director, Firefly Aerospace
Jesus Charles served as the Descent Flight Director for Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, which completed the first successful commercial Moon landing. An aerospace engineer by training, Charles began his career supporting Department of Defense payloads missions to the International Space Station before transitioning into payload integration, mission management, and spacecraft operations. At Firefly, he has supported key initiatives across the company’s launch vehicles and spacecraft and is now Read More
Dr. Bernard Foing
President SRI, CEO LUNEX EuroMoonMars
Prof. Bernard H. Foing is President of Space Renaissance International, Executive Director of ILEWG, CEO of LUNEX EuroSpaceHub and EuroMoonMars Earth Space Innovation, and Chief Scientist at Qomosys. He holds an ERA Chair in Riga, Latvia, and is a guest professor at Leiden Observatory, ISU, and IPSA, and was formerly at EPFL and VU Amsterdam. He is a member of several IAF committees, including IPC, space exploration, astronomy, space habitats, Read More
Michelle Hanlon
Executive Director, Air and Space Law at Ole Miss
Michelle L.D. Hanlon is a leading American space lawyer and advocate for responsible space exploration. Dubbed “Godmother of Space Law,” she serves as Executive Director of the Center for Air and Space Law at Ole Miss. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Law. Hanlon is co-founder, President, and CEO of For All Moonkind, the only nonprofit dedicated to protecting humanity’s cultural heritage in outer space. Under her leadership, Read More
Dr. Fredrick Jenet
National Space Society Board of Directors
Fredrick (Rick) Jenet, Ph.D., is the founder and executive director of Expanding Frontiers, a nonprofit organization based in Brownsville, Texas, with a mission to foster the growth of a commercial space ecosystem. Dr. Jenet is an experienced entrepreneur, visionary researcher, and innovative educator, having founded several initiatives in Texas that are fostering the development of a state and national ecosystem for space exploration and commercialization. He is the founder of Read More
Dr. Nick Kanas
Professor Emeritus (Psychiatry), University of California, San Francisco
Dr. Nick Kanas is a Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco. Since 1969, he has conducted research, taught, and written about psychological and interpersonal issues affecting people working in space. For over 15 years, he was an NSBRI- and NASA-funded Principal Investigator doing psychological research with astronauts and cosmonauts on the Mir and International Space Stations and during several space simulation missions. He received the 1999 Aerospace Read More
Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba
CEO, Vicillion
Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba is an aerospace engineer, futurist, and space enthusiast with a deep passion for advancing humanity’s presence in space and expanding space accessibility. She holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering, including a Bachelor’s and Master’s, with a minor in Space Operations. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering alongside certifications in Engineering Leadership, Engineering Innovation, and Engineering Project Management. She contributes to groundbreaking projects such as the Read More
William Kemp
CEO, Aethon Space, Inc.
William Kemp is the founder of Aethon Space, Inc., a venture dedicated to engineering the foundational infrastructure of the lunar economy. With expertise in mission-critical facilities, large-scale system coordination, and a focus on the intersection of autonomous robotics and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), he is the primary architect behind the “Aethon Triad” model for sustainable settlements. Read More
Braedyn Kim
Student, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Braedyn’s team is part of the Illinois Space Society and is composed of undergraduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with backgrounds in aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering, as well as physics, materials science, and computer science. The team focuses on the development of cryogenic fluid transfer systems for lunar applications and has participated in the NASA Human Lander Challenge (HuLC). Their work is conducted under the guidance of Read More
Ajay Kothari
President, Astrox Corp
Dr. Ajay Kothari is President and Founder of Astrox Corporation, an Aerospace R&D company located in suburban Washington DC. His PhD and MS in Aerospace Engineering are from University of Maryland and BSc and Jr MSc in physics from Bombay University. He has been Principal Investigator on more than 30 contracts from DOD, DARPA and NASA, focused on rocket and hypersonic vehicle designs which have led to an innovative hypersonic 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
Stephen Marvin
Emeritus Professor, West Chester University
Stephen is a librarian with experience in fields of Business and Psychology. His experience is with technology transfer, research and consulting for various programs including short service with Defense Intelligence Agency to coordinate work of analysts with Socrates program with military critical technologies. He serves as part of North East Research Application Center NERAC and Southern Technology Application Center STAC. He is currently member of West Chester Borough Council. Read More
Ayse Oren
Architect, DesignArt
Ayşe Ören is an architect and space architecture researcher focused on lunar habitats, human-centered design, and in-situ resource utilization systems. She is the creator of the MoonArch project, a modular regolith-based habitat concept for sustainable lunar settlement. Her work explores the integration of engineering constraints with cultural and psychological aspects of long-duration space living. Read More
John Parks
Founder & Ecologist, ExoScientific
John Emory Parks is the Founder and Ecologist of ExoScientific LLC, developing biologically integrated “bioware” systems and closed-loop ecological solutions to enable sustainable human settlement on the Moon and Mars. With more than 30 years of experience in marine science, coral reef ecology, and international development in remote environments, his current work focuses on coral reef propagation as foundational technology for oxygen production, supplemental nutrition, adaptive radiation shielding, and future Read More
Joseph Pelton
Chair, Alliance for Collaboration in the Exploration of Space (ACES Worldwide)
Joseph is the Chair of ACES Worldwide. He is the Dean Emeritus of the International Space University and the Past Chair of the Board. He is the author of some 70 books on space and technology with one Pulitzer nomination. He is the former Director of Strategic Policy at Intelsat. Joseph is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics. He is the founder of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation. Read More