Last updated: September 10, 2026
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 (2026–2027)
International Mars Society Convention
The 29th annual International Mars Society Convention covers Mars exploration, human settlement, and space technology, bringing together scientists, engineers, industry executives, policymakers, space advocates, and journalists. On-site and virtual participation options are available.
Dates: October 22–24, 2026
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Host: The Mars Society
Entry price: See registration on the convention site; seniors and students typically receive discounts, and USC students may attend free.
More information: https://convention.marssociety.org/
ASCEND 2027
ASCEND covers science and exploration, human spaceflight, security, and the space economy for civil, commercial, and national security audiences. The 2027 call for content is open with submissions due by October 8.
Dates: May 18–20, 2027
Location: See ascend.events for the current venue
Host: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Entry price: See the ASCEND site closer to the event.
More information: https://www.ascend.events/
International Space Development Conference (ISDC 2027)
The 45th annual ISDC gathers the global space community for sessions on spaceflight, the NewSpace economy, AI, and space settlement. Expected attendance is over 1,000.
Dates: May 27–30, 2027
Location: Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel, Los Angeles, California (near LAX)
Host: National Space Society (NSS)
Entry price: See isdc.nss.org for 2027 registration tiers when published.
More information: https://isdc.nss.org/isdc-2027/
MARS Conference
The Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics and Space (MARS) Conference is an invite-only annual event hosted by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Invitees generally include relevant individuals from startups, academia, and Fortune 100 companies.
Dates: Not announced for 2027 as of this update; historically held in spring
Host: Jeff Bezos
Entry price: Invite only
More information: https://marsconference.com/
Past events (2025–mid 2026)
Retained for reference. Check the organizer’s current-year page before planning travel.
- ASCEND — July 22–24, 2025 — Las Vegas — https://www.ascend.events/
- SPEXA Space Business Expo — July 30–August 1, 2025 — Tokyo — https://www.spexa.jp/tokyo/en-gb.html
- Small Satellite Conference — August 11–13, 2025 — Salt Lake City — https://smallsat.org/
- International Mars Society Convention — October 9–11, 2025 — Los Angeles
- Mars Through Time — October 14–17, 2025 — Paris — https://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mtt2025/
- Space Economy Summit — November 5–6, 2025 — Orlando
- Space Vision — November 6–8, 2025 — Seattle — https://spacevision.seds.org/
- Space Travel Summit — December 8–9, 2025 — Dubai — https://www.thespacetravelsummit.com/about/
- European Space Conference — January 27–28, 2026 — Brussels — https://spaceconference.eu/
- GSA Spaceport Summit — January 27, 2026 — Orlando — https://www.globalspaceportalliance.com/gsa-spaceport-summit-2/
- Space Mobility — January 28, 2026 — Orlando — https://spacemobility.org/
- SpaceCom | Space Congress — January 29–30, 2026 — Orlando — https://www.spacecomexpo.com/
- Business of Space Conference — March 1–3, 2026 — Huntsville — https://www.uah.edu/opce/program-topics/business-of-space/2026/
- International Space Development Conference — June 4–7, 2026 — McLean, Virginia — https://isdc.nss.org/
Looking for More Local Space and Mars Events?
In addition to checking out chapters of local organizations, you may be able to find more niche conference listings on 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