This talk will provide an overview of the major players, markets, capabilities, and macro trends influencing and influenced by the evolving space economy. Topics covered will address the tangential industries relevant both now and in the future for growing and sustaining its potential.

Event Date: 2 / 27 / 2025

Neil A. Armstrong’s famous words “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” make a statement about humanity and its development. One way we can study humanity is through the Humanities. Following Armstrong’s formulation, I will discuss how Space Humanities can be a crucial and productive part of Space Study today.

We all consider space an important and all-encompassing topic: we all use space, we explore it, legislate it, love it, fight over it, and are endlessly fascinated by it. This talk will chart and analyze the humanistic dimensions of some of our existing endeavors and practices in Space Studies. I will also project some new, future dimensions of Space Humanities that directly intersect with scientific and engineering aspects of NASA’s Artemis and Mars missions.

Event Date: 11 / 6 / 2024

The promise of starting life anew somewhere far, far away—no climate change, no war, no Twitter—beckons, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith set out to write the essential guide to a glorious future of space settlements, but after years of research, they aren’t so sure it’s a good idea. Space technologies and space business are progressing fast, but we lack the knowledge needed to have space kids, build space farms, and create space nations in a way that doesn’t spark conflict back home. In a world hurtling toward human expansion into space, the Weinersmiths' book A City on Mars investigates whether the dream of new worlds won’t create nightmares, both for settlers and the people they leave behind.

Event Date: 4 / 2 / 2024