The Aerospace Corporation Elevates Critical Space Conversations at AIAA ASCEND 2025
The Aerospace Corporation
A leading architect for the nation’s space programs, supporting national security & fostering innovation in space.
From countering emerging threats to advancing scientific discovery in low Earth orbit, The Aerospace Corporation’s experts will moderate and lead conversations designed to spark collaboration and inspire actionable solutions at AIAA ASCEND 2025.
View our full schedule below.
Tuesday, July 22
LEC-01: AIAA David W. Thompson Lecture in Space Commerce
Featuring Jamie Morin, Vice President of Defense Strategic Space and Executive Director of the Center for Space Policy & Strategy
🕚 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 128
TECH-02/SUST-02: Benefits of Introducing MBSE Early into NASA’s Lifecycle Phases for the Moon to Mars Architecture
Featuring Christopher May, Senior Project Engineer, Human Exploration and Spaceflight
🕑 2:20 – 2:40 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 124
TECH-03/DUAL-01: BLINKER: A Transponder to Simplify STM and Provide Realtime SSA
Featuring Mark Skinner, Senior Project Leader, Space Traffic Coordination
🕦 4:10 – 4:30 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 125
SSI Strategic Foresight Workshop: In-Space Rescue
Facilitated by Uma Bruegman, Jen Stein, and Michelle Herman
🕤 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. PT
Wednesday, July 23
META-08: From the ‘Innovator’s Dilemma’ to the ‘Integrator’s Dilemma’ - How the Space Enterprise Is Advancing Interoperability
Moderated by Lori Gordon, Systems Director, Space Enterprise Evolution
🕤 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PT | 📍 Forum 130
HUMAN-03/HEALTH-01: A Technical Blueprint for Developing In-Space Rescue Capability
Featuring Grant Cates, Senior Project Leader, Space Safety Institute
🕐 2:00 – 2:20 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 121
META-10: Navigating the Evolving Threat Landscape
Moderated by Caolionn O’Connell, Assistant General Manager, Project West Wing
🕑 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 128
META-11: SOS/Save Our (X-Band) Spectrum: The Unique Value of X-Band for Space and How to Save It
Moderated by Audrey Allison, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Space Policy & Strategy
🕑 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 130
MICRO-16: Securing GPS for a Resilient Future: Addressing Threats, Upgrades, and Innovation
Moderated by John Janeski, Director of Communications Systems Engineering
🕞 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 128
MICRO-17: Dark and Quiet Skies: Best Practices, Industry Standards, and Technologies
Moderated by Lindsay DeMarchi, Policy Analyst, Center for Space Policy & Strategy
🕞 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 130
SPEC-08: Cislunar & Lunar Ecosystem and Economics Workshop
Moderated by Dennis Paul, Senior Project Leader, Space Enterprise Evolution
🕞 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. PT | 📍 Summit 210
MICRO-21: Closing the Kill Chain: Accelerating Data-to-Decision in Space Defense and Operations
Moderated by David Cardoza, Assistant GM, Space Architectures and Integration
🕟 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PT | 📍 Forum 128
Thursday, July 24
MACRO-03: Opportunities for Momentum on Cross-Cutting Space Science Priorities
Moderated by Uma Bruegman, Assistant General Manager of Strategic Assessments, Studies, and Projects
🕗 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. PT | 📍 Forum 128
META-15: Solving the “Flight-Proven” Paradox: Building Trust to Deploy Innovative Space Capabilities
Moderated by Lori Gordon, Systems Director, Space Enterprise Evolution
🕘 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PT | 📍 Summit 207
MICRO-24: Navigating the Future of LEO Microgravity Strategy
Moderated by Sierra Lewis, Program Development Engineer, Human Exploration and Spaceflight
🕙 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. PT | 📍 Forum 128
MICRO-29: Powering the Future: High-Performance Computing in Space and Defense
Moderated by Shawn Sloan, Corporate Technical Fellow, AI/ML
🕐 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. PT | 📍 Summit 207
MICRO-32: Harnessing the Power of AI to Mitigate Evolving Threats to Space Security
Moderated by Manny Gonzalez-Rivero, AI/ML Director
🕞 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. PT | 📍 Summit 207
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