These conferences vary widely in terms of cost, scope of topics, number of presentations, exhibits,
and nature of the presentations. Some of these space conferences are targeted at aerospace professionals
while others target either space activists or students.
Attending space conferences is an excellent way to meet and speak with space professionals,
learn about new ideas for space development and space settlement, and network with like-minded individuals.
In additional to being of benefit to space industry professionals, space conferences are particularly beneficial
to students who have an interest in entering the field as it provides a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with space industry professionals.
Having attended a variety of space conferences over the years, I have found all to have been worth the time and cost of attendance.
Space Conferences and Conventions Sorted by Name
| Space Conference | Host Organization | Conference/Convention Website |
|---|---|---|
| AAS Space Flight Mechanics Committee | American Astronautical Society (AAS) | www.space-flight.org |
| ASCEND (Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery) | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) | www.ascend.events |
| European Space Conference | Various including ESA, IAF, ESRE, CNES, etc. | spaceconference.eu |
| Humans to Mars Conference | Explore Mars | www.exploremars.org/summit/ |
| IEEE Aerospace Conference | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) | www.aeroconf.org |
| International Astronautical Congress (IAC) | International Astronautical Federation (IAF) | www.iafastro.org/events/iac/ |
| International Space Convention | Altair Enterprises LLC | www.altairenterprises.store/ |
| International Space Development Conference (ISDC) | National Space Society | space.nss.org/international-space-development-conference/ (Recommended) |
| ISS R&D Conference | Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) | www.issconference.org |
| John Glenn Memorial Symposium | American Astronautical Society (AAS) | astronautical.org/events/john-glenn-memorial-symposium/ |
| Lunar Development Conference | Moon Society | www.moonsociety.org/conferences/ |
| Mars Society Convention | Mars Society | www.marssociety.org (No convention website URL) |
| New Space Age Conference | MIT Sloan Space Industry Club | newspaceage.org |
| NewSpace Conference | Space Frontier Foundation | newspace.spacefrontier.org/newspace/ |
| North East Astronomy Forum | Rockland Astronomy Club | www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf.html |
| Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium | American Astronautical Society (AAS) | dev.astronautical.org/events/goddard/ |
| Small Satellite Conference | Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory | www.smallsat.org |
| Space Exploration Educators Conference | Space Center Houston | spacecenter.org/education-programs/educator-resources/seec/ |
| Space Simulation Conference | Various including NASA, IEST, ASTM, CSA, JHU/APL | www.spacesimcon.org |
| Space Symposium | Space Foundation | www.spacesymposium.org |
| Space Tech Expo USA | Smarter Shows (Tarsus) Ltd. | www.spacetechexpo.com (Recommended) |
| Space Technology Conference | Dialogue Events Ltd. | www.spacetechnologyconference.com |
| Space Tourism Conference (STC) | Space Tourism Society (STS) | www.spacetourismconf.com |
| SpaceCom: the Global Commercial Space Conference & Exhibition | SPACECOM | spacecomexpo.com |
| SpaceFest Convention | Novaspace | www.spacefest.info |
| SpaceOps – International Conference on Space Operations | Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) | spaceops2023.org (URL changes from one year to the next) |
| SpaceVision | Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) | seds.org/spacevision/ |
| Summit for Space Sustainability | Secure World Foundation | swfsummit.org |
| Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium | American Astronautical Society (AAS) | astronautical.org/events/vonbraun/ |
| World Satellite Business Week | Euroconsult | wsbw.com |
If you are aware of other space conferences or space conventions that are held annually, please let us know via our Contact Form.