2024 ASCEND to Accelerate Our Off-World Future with Axiom Space, Boeing, DARPA, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, NRO, ULA, and U.S. Space Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announced dozens of speakers who will appear at its upcoming ASCEND event, 30 July – 1 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND serves as the nexus for addressing the most important opportunities and challenges that come with increased activity in space today. Over 200 industry luminaries from across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, adjacent industry representatives, and next-generation thinkers from around the world are scheduled to speak. Confirmed speakers include:

• A.C. Charania, Chief Technologist, NASA
• Carissa Christensen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BryceTech*
• Debra Emmons, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, The Aerospace Corporation
• Barbara Golf, Strategic Advisor for Space Domain Awareness, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, U.S. Space Force (USSF)
• Janet Grondin, CEO, Stellar Solutions
• Matt Kozlov, Managing Director, Techstars
• Michael López-Alegría, Chief Astronaut, Axiom Space
• Sandra Magnus, TraCSS Chief Engineer, MITRE/Office of Space Commerce*
• Tom Marshburn, Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Space
• Rob Meyerson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Interlune*
• Maj. Michael Nayak, USAF, Program Manager, DARPA
• Shawna Pandya, Director, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)*
• Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President, Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space
• Mark Peller, Senior Vice President, Vulcan Development and Advanced Programs, United Launch Alliance (ULA)
• Christopher Scolese, Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
• Lt. Gen. John Shaw, USSF (Ret.), Former Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command
• Lauren Smith, Senior Program Manager, Satellite Refueling, Northrop Grumman*
• Lee Steinke, Chief Operating Officer, CisLunar Industries
• Melanie Stricklan, Executive Director, Space Workforce 2030, Space Foundation
• Mandy Vaughn, CEO and Founder, GXO
• Kurt Vogel, Associate Administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA
• Kelly Weinersmith, Co-Author, A City on Mars
• Matthew Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair, MBA Program; Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School*
• Noelle Zietsman, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Boeing Exploration Systems*

*Member of the 2024 ASCEND Guiding Coalition

Many more speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. In addition, hundreds of technical papers and collaborative sessions are scheduled, featuring expert researchers and innovators that anchor the event with the long-term thinking required to build a sustainable off-world future.

“This year, we’re co-locating ASCEND with the AIAA AVIATION Forum in one venue. These two signature AIAA events will deliver full technical programs, visionary discussions, and industry networking our community counts on. With a central Expo Hall serving as the bridge between both events’ communities, we believe attendees will be energized by this unique experience. We look forward to welcoming thousands of aerospace professionals and students from across the aerospace sector,” said AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher.

Registration for the 2024 ASCEND event is open. Early bird rates end on 10 June. Journalists from around the world are invited to cover 2024 ASCEND; press passes are available for credentialed media by request. For more information, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, RebeccaG@AIAA.org, 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.