Martians and Earthlings are gathering at space-themed conferences and events across the world. The list below contains details on upcoming events including their dates, location, entry fees, attendees, subject areas, and where you can find more information or purchase tickets. Many of these events occur on an annual basis, so if it’s too late to plan to attend this year, look out for next year’s info soon.
What can you expect at space conferences, and who attends?
Space and Mars-oriented conferences and gatherings can be great for industry professionals, startups, academics, government officials and regulators, students, enthusiasts, and more. These events are designed to share insights, products, technology, connections, and inspiration among those pushing the industry’s frontiers.
You might consider participating in one of the following ways:
- Attending speaking sessions and panel events
- Interacting with relevant businesses, products and services
- Applying to speak or present research at a conference
- Showcasing your product and services to a relevant audience
- Networking for business, career, research, or enthusiast purposes
- Sponsoring the event for prime marketing exposure
- Learn about the latest ideas and technologies shaping the industry
- If you are a journalist or content creator, consider covering the event as a press member
Upcoming Space and Mars Conferences and Events
ASCEND
ASCEND covers topics including science and exploration, human spaceflight, security and protection, and the space economy. It intends to cater to cross-disciplinary audiences, including civil, commercial and national security space sectors and adjacent businesses.
Dates: July 22-24, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Host: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Entry price: Professional member: $1,399. Professional nonmember: $1,599. Lower pricing tiers available as applicable.
More information: https://www.ascend.events/
SPEXA Space Business Expo
SPEXA is a Japanese exhibition of the latest space technology, aimed toward an international audience of relevant businesses, including in the areas of outer space utilization, satellite data utilization, infrastructure, development and manufacturing, and other space-related services.
Dates: July 30-August 1, 2025
Location: Tokyo Big Site, Japan
Host: RX Japan Ltd.
Entry price: Visitors are free, must register through the exhibitor site.
More information: https://www.spexa.jp/tokyo/en-gb.html
Small Satellite Conference
This conference specifically revolves around the satellite industry, with particular attention on innovations, challenges and collaborations. It features technical sessions and exhibits.
Dates: August 11-13, 2025
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Host: Utah State University
Entry price: $775 through May 9; $875 through Aug. 9; $1,000 onsite; $350 student; $500 One-day
More information: https://smallsat.org/2025
International Mars Society Convention
The theme of the 28th annual International Mars Society Convention will be “Mars: The Time Has Come”. This convention covers Mars exploration, human settlement, and general space technology topics, and brings together scientists, engineers, industry executives, policymakers, space advocates and journalists. Both in-person and online sessions will be available.
Dates: October 9-11, 2025
Location: Los Angeles, California
Host: University of Southern California
Entry price: Different price levels available for members and non-members, students and seniors. See here for registration.
More information: https://www.marssociety.org/news/2025/02/28/join-the-journey-2025-intl-mars-society-convention-mars-the-time-has-come/
Space Economy Summit
The third annual Space Economy Summit targets the intersection of space agencies, commercial enterprises, investors, technologists and innovators. Subject area includes both economic and environmental considerations, ranging from topics like in-space manufacturing, infrastructure planning, funding and regulation. Over 500 attendees are expected.
Dates: November 5-6, 2025
Location: Orlando, Florida
Host: Economist Impact
Entry price: Small innovators: $699. Early bird: $799 until Aug. 15. Standard: $1,299
More information: https://events.economist.com/space-economy-summit/
Space Vision 2025
This conference is oriented for students and researchers/research labs. It includes panels on space science and technology and a career fair.
Dates: November 6-8, 2025
Host: University of Washington
Location: Seattle, Washington
Entry price: Early bird: $80 student; $180 professional
More information: spacevision.seds.org
Space Travel Summit
The Space Travel Summit focuses on the components of space travel itself and maintaining innovation within the field as it progresses. Startups, industry professionals, researchers and academics and regulators and named as the primary attendee categories.
Dates: December 8-9, 2025
Location: Expo City, Dubai
Host: Nirvana MICE
Entry price: Industry professional: Early bird $745; Standard: $1,165. Lower prices available for government and academic entry.
More information: https://www.thespacetravelsummit.com/about/
European Space Conference
The European Space Conference focuses on Europe-based space initiatives. The 18th Edition in 2026 is set to host over 2,000 attendees and feature over 80 policy panels and keynotes. It notes a heavy presence of policymakers, industry executives, and researchers.
Dates: January 27-28, 2026
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Host: Business Bridge Europe
Entry price: Not announced as of posting; check link below.
More information: https://spaceconference.eu/
GSA Spaceport Summit
At the start of “Commercial Space Week” in Orlando, FL, the 11th annual GSA Spaceport Summit will gather executive managers from spaceport facilities worldwide to discuss the development and foundational actions to build a global network of spaceports that facilitates commerce.
Dates: January 27, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
Host: Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA)
Entry price: Rates vary depending on your membership status. See here for more information.
More information: https://www.globalspaceportalliance.com/gsa-spaceport-summit-2/
SpaceCom | 51st Space Congress
SpaceCom, or The Global Commercial Space Conference and Exhibition, is also a part of Commercial Space Week — with particular focus on engineering and the aerospace supply chain. The event is in collaboration with NASA and the Space Force, as well as commercial launch providers, defense agencies, engineers, buyers, and government leaders. Over 5,000 attendees are expected.
Dates: January 29-30, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
Entry price: Industry professional: $765 until Oct. 31st; $975 until January 27th; $1,185 onsite. Lower prices available for government and academic entry.
More information: https://www.spacecomexpo.com/
Space Mobility
Also a part of Commercial Space Week, the third annual Space Mobility Conference is co-located with SpaceCom. The focus areas for Space Mobility include space access, rapid delivery, and orbital resilience. The Space Mobility conference was founded by the U.S. Space Force and Space Systems Command in conjunction with SpaceCom to help support the Assured Access to Space (AATS) program. Guests include government officials (e.g. NASA, DARPA, Department of Defense, Department of Energy); launch providers (e.g. SpaceX, Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance); industry organizations (e.g. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Amazon Web Services); and more.
Dates: January 28, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
Host: U.S. Space Force and Space Systems Command
Entry price: Industry professional: $625 until Oct. 31st; $835 until January 27th; $1,045 onsite.Lower prices available for government and academic entry.
More information: https://spacemobility.org/
Business of Space Conference
Panels and keynote speakers center around innovation and policymaking in the new space economy. Guests include academics, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders.
Dates: March 1-3, 2026
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Host: University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Business
Entry price: Prices for 2026 not yet released. 2025 prices were $425 for early bird and $525 for regular tickets.
More information: https://www.uah.edu/opce/program-topics/business-of-space/2026/
MARS Conference
The Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics and Space (MARS) Conference is an invite-only annual event hosted by Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. Invitees generally include relevant individuals from startups, academia, and Fortune 100 companies.
Dates: Not announced for 2026 as of the last update; likely spring.
Host: Jeff Bezos
Entry price: Invite only
More information: https://marsconference.com/
International Space Development Conference
The 44th annual International Space Development Conference is set to have over 1,000 attendees, who will discuss and attend sessions and expos that fit the theme “Space for Us All”. Entrepreneurs, astronauts, industry leaders, students, regulators and other stakeholders are likely to be in attendance.
Dates: June 4-7, 2026
Location: McLean, Virginia
Host: National Space Society (NSS)
Entry price: Pricing for 2026 not released as of the last update, but you can check the link below for updates. 2025 pricing ranged from $360 to $675 for an adult nonmember depending on the timing.
More information: https://isdc.nss.org/
Mars Through Time
This international conference is for scientists and researchers with a particular interest in the historical climate and environments on Mars. Scientists are encouraged to submit their work in this field for presentation.
Dates: October 14-17, 2025
Location: Paris, France
Host: European Research Council
Entry price: €400 before September 30, 2025; €450 starting October 1, 2025
More information: https://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mtt2025/
Looking for More Local Space and Mars Events?
In addition to checking out chapters of local organizations (see links right above the calendar), you may be able to find more niche conference listings on some of these fellow calendars from NASA, The National Space Society, and Space Age Publishing Company.
The space industry is relatively new and many conferences are still growing, as is the event list. Have an event you’d like to submit to the list? Please email us at Earth2@Mars-Dispatch.com