Featured Speakers

Stevan Akerley

Space Ambassadors Program Director
National Space Society

Stevan Akerley is a retired aerospace engineer from Pratt & Whitney, UTC, with 40 years of…[more]

 

Stevan Akerley

Space Ambassadors Program Director
National Space Society

Stevan Akerley is a retired aerospace engineer from Pratt & Whitney, UTC, with…[more]

Alfred Anzaldua

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Al Anzaldua has an educational background in science and international studies, with a Masters degree in Latin…[more]

 

Alfred Anzaldua

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Al Anzaldua has an educational background in science and international studies…[more]

Isaac Arthur

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Isaac Arthur is the creator of Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur, a science education and entertainment…[more]

 

Isaac Arthur

Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Isaac Arthur is the creator of Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur, a science…[more]

Greg Autry

Vice President of Space Development
National Space Society

Greg Autry is an educator, writer, technology entrepreneur and advocate for space…[more]

 

Greg Autry

Vice President of Space Development
National Space Society

Greg Autry is an educator, writer, technology entrepreneur and advocate for space…[more]

Gary Barnhard

CEO
Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships, Inc.

Gary Barnhard – a self-described synergistic technological philanthropist…[more]

 

Gary Barnhard

CEO
Xtraordinary Innovative Space Partnerships, Inc.

Gary Barnhard – a self-described synergistic technological philanthropist…[more]

Larry Bartoszek

Owner
Bartoszek Engineering

Larry Bartoszek, an Aurora, IL resident, has a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics from the…[more]

 

Larry Bartoszek

Owner
Bartoszek Engineering

Larry Bartoszek, an Aurora, IL resident, has a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering…[more]

Haym Benaroya

Distinguished Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Rutgers University

Prof. Benaroya has focused his research in the disciplines of…[more]

 

Haym Benaroya

Distinguished Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Rutgers University

Prof. Benaroya has focused his research in the disciplines of dynamics, vibration and….[more]

Tyler Bender

Research Associate
Beyond Earth Institute

Tyler Bender is a Marine Corps veteran and has a decade of experience in broadband…[more]

 

Tyler Bender

Research Associate
Beyond Earth Institute

Tyler Bender is a Marine Corps veteran and has a decade of experience in…[more]

Dr. Scott Bolton

Juno Principal Investigator
Southwest Research Institute

Bolton is the principal investigator for Juno, a mission launched in 2011 to study Jupiter’s origin…[more]

 

Dr. Scott Bolton

Juno Principal Investigator
Southwest Research Institute

Bolton is the principal investigator for Juno, a mission launched in 2011 to…[more]

Dr. Robert D. Braun

Director for Planetary Science
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Bobby Braun joined the JPL leadership team in January 2020 as Director for…[more]

 

Dr. Robert D. Braun

Director for Planetary Science
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Bobby Braun joined the JPL leadership team in January 2020 as Director for…[more]

Chris Carberry

CEO and Co-Founder
Explore Mars, Inc.

Chris Carberry is the CEO and co-founder of Explore Mars, Inc. a nonprofit space advocacy organization that was created to…[more]

 

Chris Carberry

CEO and Co-Founder
Explore Mars, Inc.

Chris Carberry is the CEO and co-founder of Explore Mars, Inc. a nonprofit space…[more]

Stephen Daire

CEO
Protean Industries

Mr. Daire works in interdisciplinary STEAMED. He has an Evolutionary Anthropology BSc and Evolutionary…[more]

 

Stephen Daire

CEO
Protean Industries

Mr. Daire works in interdisciplinary STEAMED. He has an Evolutionary…[more]

Frances Dellutri

Board of Directors
National Space Society

It is with great enthusiasm that Frances Dellutri serves NSS and its mission as a member of the NSS Board of Directors…[more]

 

Frances Dellutri

Board of Directors
National Space Society

It is with great enthusiasm that Frances Dellutri serves NSS and its mission as a…[more]

Tony DeTora

VP of Policy Coherence & Co-Founder
Beyond Earth Institute

Tony DeTora is Beyond Earth Institute co-founder and Vice President of of Policy Coherence. He…[more]

 

Tony DeTora

VP of Policy Coherence & Co-Founder
Beyond Earth Institute

Tony DeTora is Beyond Earth Institute co-founder and Vice President of of Policy…[more]

Daniel H. Deudney

Johns Hopkins University

Daniel H. Deudney is Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. He has published extensively on international theory, world political theory…[more]

 

Daniel H. Deudney

Johns Hopkins University

Daniel H. Deudney is Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. He has…[more]

Burton Dicht

Vice President of Membership
National Space Society

Dicht is the Director of University Programs for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers…[more]

 

Burton Dicht

Vice President of Membership
National Space Society

Dicht is the Director of University Programs for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics…[more]

Dave Dressler

Conferences Committee Chair
National Space Society

Dave Dressler has been involved with the National Space Society since volunteering to…[more]

 

Dave Dressler

Conferences Committee Chair
National Space Society

Dave Dressler has been involved with the National Space Society since volunteering to…[more]

Dr. Jerry Eddy

Board of Directors and Secretary
International Space Elevator Consortium

Former Professor of Physics, Indiana University of PA.  Field of Interest: Low…[more]

 

Dr. Jerry Eddy

Board of Directors and Secretary
International Space Elevator Consortium

Former Professor of Physics, Indiana University of PA.  Field of Interest: Low Energy…[more]

Lorna Jean Edmonds

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Dr. Lorna Jean Edmonds is committed to advancing space development, research, and commercialization that is in the interests of…[more]

 

Lorna Jean Edmonds

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Dr. Lorna Jean Edmonds is committed to advancing space development…[more]

Anita Gale

Chief Executive Officer
National Space Society

Anita Gale was a Senior Project Engineer in Space Shuttle Payload & Cargo Integration, for The Boeing Company in Houston…[more]

 

Anita Gale

Chief Executive Officer
National Space Society

Anita Gale was a Senior Project Engineer in Space Shuttle Payload & Cargo…[more]

Dr. David Gallo

Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives
RMS Titanic, Inc

Dr. David Gallo has been at the forefront of oceanographic exploration and discovery for…[more]

 

Dr. David Gallo

Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives
RMS Titanic, Inc

Dr. David Gallo has been at the forefront of oceanographic exploration and…[more]

Al Globus

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Al Globus worked for 39 years at NASA Ames on space settlement, asteroid mining, Hubble, space stations, X37, Earth observation…[more]

 

Al Globus

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Al Globus worked for 39 years at NASA Ames on space settlement, asteroid mining…[more]

James Green

Chief Scientist
NASA

NASA’s Chief Scientist Jim Green serves as principal adviser to the NASA administrator and other senior officials on…[more]

 

James Green

Chief Scientist
NASA

NASA’s Chief Scientist Jim Green serves as principal adviser to the NASA administrator…[more]

Sean W. Hadley, Esq.

Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder
Beyond Earth Institute

Mr. Hadley also serves as Associate Faculty at Rutgers University, where he teaches law, public policy…[more]

 

Sean W. Hadley, Esq.

Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder
Beyond Earth Institute

Mr. Hadley also serves as Associate Faculty at Rutgers University, where…[more]

Dr. Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger

Researcher
The Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)

Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger is a researcher and practicing architect in…[more]

 

Dr. Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger

Researcher
The Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)

Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger is a researcher and practicing architect in habitability…[more]

Loretta Hall

Author

Loretta Hall is an author and freelance writer whose work concentrates on human space exploration and its history. She serves as a member of the NSS Space…[more]

 

Loretta Hall

Author

Loretta Hall is an author and freelance writer whose work concentrates on human…[more]

Michelle Hanlon

President
National Space Society

Michelle is the President of the National Space Society and Co-Director of the Air and Space Law Program at the University of…[more]

 

Michelle Hanlon

President
National Space Society

Michelle is the President of the National Space Society and Co-Director of the Air and…[more]

Eric Harkleroad

Space Ambassador
National Space Society

Eric has been a Space Ambassador for several years and has also volunteered with the Mars Society and AIAA. He works as an engineer…[more]

 

Eric Harkleroad

Space Ambassador
National Space Society

Eric has been a Space Ambassador for several years and has also…[more]

Mark Hopkins

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Mark Hopkins served as a National Space Society Officer in one position or another for 35 of the last 42 years. Hopkins, a California…[more]

 

Mark Hopkins

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Mark Hopkins served as a National Space Society Officer in one position or another…[more]

Dr. Barbara Imhof

Managing Director
LIQUIFER Systems Group, Vienna – Bremen

Dr. Barbara Imhof is an internationally active space architect and design researcher. She is…[more]

 

Dr. Barbara Imhof

Managing Director
LIQUIFER Systems Group, Vienna – Bremen

Dr. Barbara Imhof is an internationally active space architect and design…[more]

Dr. Susan Ip-Jewell

CEO/Co-Founder
MMAARS, Inc, (Mars-Moon Astronautics Academy & Research Science)

Susan Ip-Jewell MD, DCEG is a Space Medicine Physician-Scientist, Analog…[more]

 

Dr. Susan Ip-Jewell

CEO/Co-Founder
MMAARS, Inc, (Mars-Moon Astronautics Academy & Research Science)

Susan Ip-Jewell MD, DCEG is a Space Medicine Physician-Scientist, Analog…[more]

Janet Ivey

President, Explore Mars, Inc.
CEO, Janet’s Planet, Inc.

Janet Ivey, creator of the TV children’s series Janet’s Planet that airs on 140+ public television stations…[more]

 

Janet Ivey

President, Explore Mars, Inc.
CEO, Janet’s Planet, Inc.

Janet Ivey, creator of the TV children’s series Janet’s Planet that airs on 140+ public…[more]

Dr. Pekka Janhunen

Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland

Dr. Pekka Janhunen has authored over 160 peer-reviewed scientific papers on mainly space plasma physics. For example, he is…[more]

 

Dr. Pekka Janhunen

Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland

Dr. Pekka Janhunen has authored over 160 peer-reviewed scientific papers on mainly…[more]

Karlton Johnson

Chairman
National Space Society Board of Governors

Karlton D. Johnson is the Chairman of the National Space Society’s Board of Governors…[more]

 

Karlton Johnson

Chairman
National Space Society Board of Governors

Karlton D. Johnson is the Chairman of the National Space Society’s Board of…[more]

Brett Jones

Vice President for Communications and Digital Media
Beyond Earth Institute

Brett Jones is the Beyond Earth Institute Vice President for Communications…[more]

 

Brett Jones

Vice President for Communications and Digital Media
Beyond Earth Institute

Brett Jones is the Beyond Earth Institute Vice President for Communications and…[more]

Steve Jurvetson

Co-Founder
Future Ventures

Steve Jurvetson is an early-stage venture capitalist with a focus on founder-led, mission-driven…[more]

 

Steve Jurvetson

Co-Founder
Future Ventures

Steve Jurvetson is an early-stage venture capitalist with a focus on founder-led…[more]

Chris Kapp

Space Ambassador
National Space Society

Chris got the space bug early in life with his father working for the US Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB. Chris…[more]

 

Chris Kapp

Space Ambassador
National Space Society

Chris got the space bug early in life with his father working for the US Air Force at…[more]

Sabrina Kerber

UAV Pilot & Analog Astronaut
TU Vienna, EuroMoonMars

…[more]

 

Sabrina Kerber

UAV Pilot & Analog Astronaut
TU Vienna, EuroMoonMars

…[more]

Dr. Pascal Lee

Mars Institute
SETI Institute
NASA Ames Research Center

Dr. Pascal Lee is chairman of the Mars Institute…[more]

 

Dr. Pascal Lee

Mars Institute
SETI Institute
NASA Ames Research Center

Dr. Pascal Lee is chairman of the Mars Institute, senior planetary scientist at the SETI…[more]

Tariq Malik

Editor In Chief
Space.com

Tariq joined the Space.com team in 2001 as a staff writer, and later editor, covering human spaceflight…[more]

 

Tariq Malik

Editor In Chief
Space.com

Tariq joined the Space.com team in 2001 as a staff writer, and later editor, covering human…[more]

Jeffrey Manber

CEO
NanoRacks

Jeffrey Manber has served as the CEO of NanoRacks since 2009, growing the company into the first…[more] 

 

Jeffrey Manber

CEO
NanoRacks

Jeffrey Manber has served as the CEO of NanoRacks since 2009, growing the…[more]

John C. Mankins

Mankins Space Technologies, Inc.

John C. Mankins, President of Mankins Space Technology is an internationally recognized leader in space…[more]

 

John C. Mankins

Mankins Space Technologies, Inc.

Iohn C. Mankins, President of Mankins Space Technology is an internationally…[more]

Robert Manning

Chief Engineer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Rob Manning, an Engineering Fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion…[more]

 

Robert Manning

Chief Engineer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Rob Manning, an Engineering Fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, been…[more]

Bryce L. Meyer

St. Louis Space Frontier

Bryce has advanced degrees in Engineering and Biology, but more importantly has thousands of hours in field work, literally, on…[more]

 

Bryce L. Meyer

St. Louis Space Frontier

Bryce has advanced degrees in Engineering and Biology, but more importantly has…[more]

Geoffrey Notkin

CEO, Aerolite Meteorites, Inc.
President, Desert Owl Productions, Inc.
Board of Governors, National Space Society

Geoffrey Notkin…[more]

 

Geoffrey Notkin

CEO, Aerolite Meteorites, Inc.
President, Desert Owl Productions, Inc.
Board of Governors, National Space Society

Geoffrey Notkin starred in three seasons of the multi award-winning television…[more]

Dr. Anthony Paustian

Director of Communication and Branding
National Space Society

Following his Air Force career in fighter aircraft…[more]

 

Dr. Anthony Paustian

Director of Communication and Branding
National Space Society

Following his Air Force career in fighter aircraft and the building of national brands…[more]

Bruce Pittman

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Bruce Pittman has been at the forefront of commercial space development for public benefit for over thirty…[more]

 

Bruce Pittman

Board of Directors
National Space Society

Bruce Pittman has been at the forefront of commercial space development for public…[more]

Phil Plait

Astronomer and Science Communicator

Dr. Plait worked for ten years with Hubble Space Telescope, first to get his PhD, and then helping to build a…[more]

 

Phil Plait

Astronomer and Science Communicator

Dr. Plait worked for ten years with Hubble Space Telescope, first to get his PhD…[more]

Jim Plaxco

Space Ambassador
National Space Society

Jim Plaxco is a former Vice President of the National Space Society and former NSS Director of…[more]

 

Jim Plaxco

Space Ambassador
National Space Society

Jim Plaxco is a former Vice President of the National Space Society and former NSS.​..[more]

Rod Pyle

Editor-in-Chief Ad Astra Magazine
National Space Society

Rod Pyle is an author, journalist, television producer, and…[more]

 

Rod Pyle

Editor-in-Chief Ad Astra Magazine
National Space Society

Rod Pyle is an author, journalist, television producer, and Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra.​..[more]

Umamaheswaran R.

Chairman, ISRO
Secretary, DOS

Mr. Umamaheswaran R. is currently Distinguished Scientist and Scientific Secretary, Indian…[more]

 

Umamaheswaran R.

Chairman, ISRO
Secretary, DOS

Mr. Umamaheswaran R. is currently Distinguished Scientist and Scientific Secretary…[more]

Hannah Rens

Systems Engineer
Boeing Space, Defense, and Security

Hannah Rens is an aerospace engineer and space settlement advocate…[more]

 

Hannah Rens

Systems Engineer
Boeing Space, Defense, and Security

Hannah Rens is an aerospace engineer and space settlement advocate. Hannah is…[more]

Henk Rogers

Founder
International MoonBase Alliance

Henk Rogers is perhaps best known for his background in computer gaming…[more]

 

Henk Rogers

Founder
International MoonBase Alliance

Henk Rogers is perhaps best known for his background in computer gaming and…[more]

Avinash Shirode

President
NSS Nashik India Chapter

Avinash Shirode is President of the NSS Nashik India Chapter and a Space Scientist having worked in…[more]

 

Avinash Shirode

President
NSS Nashik India Chapter

Avinash Shirode is President of the NSS Nashik India Chapter and a Space Scientist…[more]

Gwynne Shotwell

President and COO
SpaceX

As President and COO of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell is responsible for day-to-day operations and…[more]

 

Gwynne Shotwell

President and COO
SpaceX

As President and COO of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell is responsible for day-to-day…[more]

Kevin Simmons

CEO
BLUECUBE Aerospace

Kevin L. Simmons leads the Wolfpack CubeSat Development teams (WCDT) in Palm Beach…[more]

 

Kevin Simmons

CEO
BLUECUBE Aerospace

Kevin L. Simmons leads the Wolfpack CubeSat Development teams (WCDT) in Palm…[more]

Dale Skran

Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
National Space Society

Dale Skran worked 17 years with Bell Labs (AT&T, Lucent Technologies) and…[more]

 

Dale Skran

Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
National Space Society

Dale Skran worked 17 years with Bell Labs (AT&T, Lucent Technologies) and…[more]

Peter Swan

President
International Space Elevator Consortium

Peter Swan, Ph.D., is President of the International Space Elevator…[more]

 

Peter Swan

President
International Space Elevator Consortium

Peter Swan, Ph.D., is President of the International Space Elevator Consortium.​..[more]

Madhu Thangavelu

Vice President
NSS-India Relationships

Madhu Thangavelu conducts the graduate Space Exploration Architectures Concept Synthesis…[more]

 

Madhu Thangavelu

Vice President
NSS-India Relationships

Madhu Thangavelu conducts the graduate Space Exploration Architectures Concept.​..[more]

Jonathan G. Thorvilson

Motivator
Beyond Earth Institute

Born and raised in Colorado to a family of lawyers, Jonathan…[more]

 

Jonathan G. Thorvilson

Motivator
Beyond Earth Institute

Born and raised in Colorado to a family of lawyers, Jonathan G. Thorvilson has been.​..[more]

Dr. Peggy A. Whitson

Retired NASA Astronaut Space and Science Consultant
NSpace, LLC.

Dr. Peggy A. Whitson is a Space and Science…[more]

 

Dr. Peggy A. Whitson

Retired NASA Astronaut Space and Science Consultant
NSpace, LLC.

Dr. Peggy A. Whitson is a Space and Science Consultant for NSpace, LLC. She…[more]

Steve Wolfe

President and Co-Founder
Beyond Earth Institute

Steven Wolfe is President and Co-Founder of the Beyond Earth Institute. He is also Deputy Executive…[more]

 

Steve Wolfe

President and Co-Founder
Beyond Earth Institute

Steven Wolfe is President and Co-Founder of the Beyond Earth Institute. He is also…[more]

AeroSpace Meridian Team

Makua Lani Christian Academy, Kona, Hawaii
NSS Space Settlement Contest Grand Prize Winning Team

 

AeroSpace Meridian Team

Makua Lani Christian Academy, Kona, Hawaii
NSS Space Settlement Contest Grand Prize Winning Team

Previous Featured Speakers

Tory Bruno, CEO, ULA (ISDC 2019)

Jeff Manber, CEO, NanoRacks (ISDC 2019)

Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator (ISDC 2019)

Jeff Bezos, Amazon, Blue Origin (ISDC 2018)

Freeman Dyson (ISDC® 2018)

Thomas Muller, Propulsion CTO, SpaceX (ISDC® 2018)

Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Director General, ESA (ISDC® 2017)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administator, NASA (ISDC® 2017)

Thomas P. Stafford, Gemini & Apollo Astronaut (ISDC® 2017)

Alan Stern, Principal Investigator, New Horizons (ISDC® 2016)

Ellen Ochoa, Director NASA’s Johnson Space Center ISDC® 2016)

Lindley Johnson, Planetary Defense Officer, NASA (ISDC® 2016)

Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Astronaut (ISDC® 2015)

Lori Gaver, former NASA Deputy Administrator ISDC® 2015)

Kip Thorne, Interstellar, Caltech (ISDC® 2015)

Anousheh Ansari, X Prize, private Space Traveler (ISDC® 2015)

Elon Musk, SpaceX (ISDC® 2014)

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India (ISDC® 2013)

Mae Jemison, NASA Shuttle Astronaut (ISDC® 2013)

 

Jeff Bezos at ISDC® 2018
Los Angeles, California
Photo by Keith Zacharaski/NSS

Kip Thorne at ISDC® 2015
Toronto, Canada
Photo by Gordon Hawkins/NSS

Buzz Aldrin at ISDC® 2015
Toronto, Canada
Photo by Gordon Hawkins/NSS

Tory Bruno, CEO, ULA (ISDC 2019)

Jeff Manber, CEO, NanoRacks (ISDC 2019)

Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator (ISDC 2019)

Jeff Bezos, Amazon, Blue Origin (ISDC 2018)

Freeman Dyson, (ISDC® 2018)

Thomas Muller, Propulsion CTO, SpaceX (ISDC® 2018)

Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Director General, ESA (ISDC® 2017)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administator, NASA (ISDC® 2017)

Thomas P. Stafford, Gemini & Apollo Astronaut (ISDC® 2017)

Alan Stern, Principal Investigator, New Horizons (ISDC® 2016)

Ellen Ochoa, Director NASA’s Johnson Space Center ISDC® 2016)

Lindley Johnson, Planetary Defense Officer, NASA (ISDC® 2016)

Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Astronaut (ISDC® 2015)

Lori Gaver, former NASA Deputy Administrator ISDC® 2015)

Kip Thorne, Interstellar, Caltech (ISDC® 2015)

Anousheh Ansari, X Prize, private Space Traveler (ISDC® 2015)

Elon Musk, SpaceX (ISDC® 2014)

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India (ISDC® 2013)

Mae Jemison, NASA Shuttle Astronaut (ISDC® 2013)

 

Jeff Bezos at ISDC® 2018
Los Angeles, California
Photo by Keith Zacharaski/NSS

 

Kip Thorne at ISDC® 2015
Toronto, Canada
Photo by Gordon Hawkins/NSS

 

Buzz Aldrin at ISDC® 2015
Toronto, Canada
Photo by Gordon Hawkins/NSS