Clearly communicating who you are, what you do, and where you’re headed is critical to building connections and unlocking opportunities in the space industry. In this interactive session, Matt Grisomm will guide participants through developing a compelling personal narrative that reflects their experience, motivations, and goals.

Through guided exercises and small group discussions, attendees will practice articulating their “space story” in a clear and confident way. Participants will leave with a refined introduction they can use in networking, interviews, and professional conversations, along with greater clarity on how they present themselves within the space community.

Turning bold ideas about space settlement into viable, real-world business plans requires vision, creativity, and a deep understanding of both technology and markets. In this session, participants will hear directly from a winner of the 2026 Rothblatt Space Settlement in Our Lifetime Business Plan Competition, gaining insight into how their concept evolved into an award-winning proposal. More details to come.

Understanding the space industry goes beyond theory—it requires grappling with the kinds of complex, real-world problems teams face every day. In this hands-on, simulation-based session, participants will work in small teams to tackle a realistic space-related challenge, such as a mission anomaly, startup decision, or system design tradeoff.

Guided by structured prompts and collaborative problem-solving, teams will explore different approaches, make decisions under constraints, and share their thinking with the broader group. This interactive format is designed to build technical intuition, teamwork, and confidence, while giving participants a deeper appreciation for how space projects are developed and executed in practice.

Building a space company requires navigating both high-level strategic decisions and deeply complex technical challenges. Join Sean Mirsky, co-founder of Vaya Space, for an inside look at what it actually takes to launch and grow a startup in the space industry. In this interview, Sean will share candid insights on early-stage decision-making, tradeoffs, and what it means to build in one of the most demanding sectors.

In the second half of the session, participants will explore the technical side of the industry, gaining an accessible look at what goes into developing rocket propulsion systems and what that work looks like day-to-day. Through small group discussions, attendees will reflect on how these insights connect to their own interests, skills, and career paths.

The space industry extends far beyond traditional engineering roles, offering opportunities across policy, business, communications, and more. Join Alastair Storm Browne for an engaging session inspired by his work on Cosmic Careers, exploring the breadth of pathways available to those looking to build a career in space.

Participants will gain insight into non-traditional career trajectories and hear perspectives on how to navigate and shape a path that aligns with their interests and strengths. Through interactive discussion and breakout conversations, attendees will reflect on their own career direction and identify new possibilities within the evolving space ecosystem.