ISDC 2026 takes place June 4 to 7 in McLean, Virginia, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. This is not a random venue selection. Hosting the International Space Development Conference in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area places attendees at the center of the institutions, agencies, and organizations that shape space policy in the United States.
For a conference built around advancing space development, that proximity matters.
McLean, Virginia and the Northern Virginia Aerospace Corridor
McLean sits in Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the most concentrated regions for aerospace and defense activity in the country. Northern Virginia is home to the headquarters or major offices of companies like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, and dozens of smaller aerospace firms and government contractors.
This concentration is not accidental. These organizations are here because of their proximity to the federal agencies and congressional committees that fund, regulate, and direct space programs. For ISDC attendees working in or adjacent to the space industry, being in this corridor creates networking and business development opportunities that would not exist at a venue in a different part of the country.
Proximity to NASA Headquarters and Federal Space Agencies
The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters is located at 300 E Street SW in Washington, D.C., approximately 15 miles from the ISDC venue. NASA leadership, including the offices that oversee the Artemis program, commercial crew partnerships, and space technology development, operate from this location.
Beyond NASA, the D.C. metro area is also home to NOAA, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Space Force headquarters at the Pentagon. For ISDC sessions focused on space policy, regulation, and government partnerships, these agencies are not abstractions discussed from a distance. They are down the road.
ISDC has a long history of attracting speakers and attendees from these agencies. Hosting the conference in their backyard makes participation easier and increases the likelihood of senior officials joining panels and keynotes.
Space Policy and Congressional Access
Space legislation in the United States originates on Capitol Hill, less than 15 miles from the ISDC venue. The Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation and the House Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics both oversee NASA authorization and commercial space regulation.
The National Space Society has a history of space advocacy on Capitol Hill, including its annual March Storm legislative blitz. Holding ISDC near the Capitol reinforces the connection between the conference’s policy track and the legislative process that turns space advocacy into law.
For attendees who work in policy, advocacy, or government affairs, the McLean location means they can attend ISDC and schedule meetings on the Hill during the same trip.
The Smithsonian and D.C.’s Space Heritage
Washington, D.C. is home to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world and a landmark in the history of space exploration. The museum’s collections include the Apollo 11 command module, the Spirit of St. Louis, and artifacts spanning the full arc of human flight.
For ISDC attendees extending their stay, the museum and its companion facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia, offer a physical connection to the history that ISDC’s programming builds upon. The Udvar-Hazy Center is a short drive from the conference venue and houses the Space Shuttle Discovery.
The broader D.C. area also includes the National Mall, the Smithsonian complex, and cultural institutions that make the region one of the most rewarding conference destinations in the country.
Getting to McLean, Virginia
The Hilton McLean Tysons Corner is centrally located within the D.C. metro area, with strong transportation access from multiple directions.
Both Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are within 13 miles of the venue. The Silver Line Metro, accessible from the McLean station, connects the venue to downtown Washington, D.C. and to Dulles Airport. The Capital Beltway (I-495) runs adjacent to Tysons Corner, providing highway access from across the region.
For detailed travel and accommodation information, visit the ISDC hotel and travel page.
ISDC 2026: Where Space Policy Meets Space Development
The choice to host ISDC 2026 in McLean, Virginia is a strategic one. It places the conference at the intersection of the aerospace industry, federal space agencies, congressional policy makers, and one of the strongest research and defense corridors in the country.
Whether you are presenting research, exploring career opportunities, advocating for space legislation, or attending for the first time, the McLean location amplifies the value of every conversation you have at ISDC.
š Register for ISDC 2026 in McLean, Virginia š Explore the ISDC 2026 schedule and sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is ISDC 2026 being held?
ISDC 2026 takes place at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, located at 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia, 22102. The venue address and booking details are available on the ISDC hotel and travel page.
Are there other space conferences in the D.C. area?
The Washington, D.C. region hosts several space industry events throughout the year, including the SATELLITE Conference and ASCEND. ISDC is distinct in its focus on space settlement, advocacy, and interdisciplinary participation rather than purely commercial or military applications.
Can I combine ISDC with visits to space-related sites in the area?
Yes. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport houses the Space Shuttle Discovery and is approximately 10 miles from the venue. NASA’s visitor information page at nasa.gov has current access policies for headquarters tours. The National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall is accessible via the Silver Line Metro.
Is McLean a good base for exploring Washington, D.C.?
McLean is well connected to the city. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to the McLean Metrorail station on the Silver Line, which runs directly to downtown D.C. and to Dulles Airport. Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria are also within shuttle distance for dining and shopping between sessions.
Who benefits most from the McLean location?
Attendees working in space policy, government contracting, or aerospace advocacy will find the proximity to federal agencies and Capitol Hill especially valuable. But the location also benefits anyone attending ISDC who wants to extend their trip with visits to the Smithsonian, the National Mall, or the broader D.C. cultural landscape.
ISDC 2026 in McLean, Virginia. June 4 to 7. š Register now