Hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the ASCEND conference brings together experts and leaders to discuss fundamental questions and deliver the solutions needed to advance the global space community.
Redwire has an extensive presence at this year’s virtual ASCEND conference and, alongside the space community’s leading voices, will explore today’s most pressing topics and cutting edge technology. Senior leaders from Redwire will discuss next-generation infrastructure; new advances in on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing; and low Earth orbit commercialization, along with other key concepts.
This year’s virtual conference takes place November 16–19. Register for ASCEND
ASCEND 2020 Sessions and Presentations
| Session Title | Redwire Representative | Date / Time |
|---|---|---|
| Panel: Building an Integrated Intelligent Pathway to the Planets | Justin Kugler, VP of Advanced Programs & Concepts, Made In Space | [November 16 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET] |
| Debate: What is the Path to LEO Commercialization by 2025? | Andrew Rush, COO of Redwire | [November 16 | 2:00–4:00 PM ET] |
| Panel: The Future Is Here for Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing | Al Tadros, Chief Growth Officer (CGO) of Redwire and VP of Space Structures at Made In Space | [November 16 | 4:00–6:00 PM ET] |
| Meta Session: Moonshot to Moonbase: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Lunar Architectures and Infrastructures | Al Tadros, CGO of Redwire and VP of Space Structures at Made In Space | [November 17 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET] |
| Fireside Chat: Transforming the Future of Space Infrastructure: A Conversation with Redwire CEO Peter Cannito | Peter Cannito, CEO of Redwire | [November 17 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET] |
| Meta Session: Space Structures at Scale | Andrew Rush, COO of Redwire | [November 17 | 1:00–2:00 PM ET] |
| Technology Presentation: On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing II | Elon Gordon, Mechanical Engineer, Made In Space | [November 18 | 9:00–10:00 AM ET] |
| ASCENDxSummit Recap: Filling Technology Deserts from Above and Below | Justin Kugler, VP of Advanced Programs & Concepts, Made In Space | [August 19] |
November 16 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET
Session Title: Building an Integrated Intelligent Pathway to the Planets
Representative: Justin Kugler, VP of Advanced Programs & Concepts, Made In Space
Session Description: As humanity once again pushes outward to explore the Moon and prepares to move beyond to Mars and further destinations, key elements are necessary to build the smart infrastructure required for a sustained human presence beyond LEO. This panel features experts in key elements of this infrastructure including in-space refueling, self-healing structures, additive manufacturing, in-situ resource utilization, space power systems, deep space communications and navigation, and Intelligent asset management. Panelists will discuss the latest advancements in each of these areas, while also exploring methods for the management of these assets in an integrated, intelligent manner, considering lessons learned from similar Earth-based, IoT applications.
Session Moderator: Peter Montgomery, Director of Commercialization, Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions, NASA Kennedy Space Center
Session Panelists:
+ Michelle Rucker, Mars Integration Group Lead, NASA Johnson Space Center
+ Dr. Paul Jaffe, Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module (PRAM) Principal Investigator, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
+ Brent Robertson, On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM)-1 Project Manager, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
+ Joseph Anderson, Vice President, Operations and Business Development, Space Logistics LLC
+ Dr. Emilie Siochi, Research Scientist, Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
+ Robert Poche, VP and Director of Asset Management, Jacobs
+ Justin Kugler, VP, Advanced Programs and Concepts, Made In Space
November 16 | 2:00–4:00 PM ET
Debate Session Title: What is the Path to LEO Commercialization by 2025?
Representative: Andrew Rush, COO of Redwire
Session Description: In the past decade, the International Space Station (ISS) has transitioned from humanity’s greatest engineering marvel to an incubator for new, innovative business models that focus on changing how we utilize space. From space manufacturing, CubeSats, and more these commercially-owned facilities and platforms offer newer capabilities for government and commercial customers.
While this rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem on the ISS looks promising, NASA looks to transition from being the anchor tenant and customer for these commercial capabilities within the next few years, which means these commercial companies will need to scale demand from adjacent markets and new users to sustain their endeavors. So how will they do it? Join us for an engaging session as commercial space leaders debate the future of LEO commercialization, the impact of NASA’s LEO Commercialization plans, and which business models offer the most sustainable path to scaling demand.
Session Moderator: Mary Lynne Dittmar, President and CEO, Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
Session Panelists:
+ Jeffrey Manber, CEO, Nanoracks
+ Andrew Rush, COO, Redwire
+ Tom Shelley, President, Space Adventures
November 16 | 4:00–6:00 PM ET
Discussion Session Title: The Future Is Here for Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing
Representative: Al Tadros, Chief Growth Officer (CGO) of Redwire and VP of Space Structures at Made In Space
Session Description: Over the past year, NASA has been working with other government agencies to coordinate the use of on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) capabilities to enable their ambitious future missions such as sustainable lunar infrastructure, large space telescopes, and more. This OSAM National Initiative has hosted two successful interagency workshops, facilitated a special session at the 2019 International Astronautical Congress, and stewarded collaboration on OSAM concepts and technologies. OSAM technology demonstrations are occurring in many domains currently or in the next few years (e.g., Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV); NASA’s Restore-L, SPIDER, and MakerSat; DARPA’s RSGS; and Made in Space’s Archinaut One). Considerable momentum has been leveraged within the government, but defining the next step that includes government, industry, and academia is crucial for success.
Session Moderator: Dale Arney, Ph.D., Space Mission Analysis Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
Session Panelists:
+ Debi Tomek, Senior Advisor, On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (OSAM), NASA HQ
+ Carissa Christensen, Founder and CEO, Bryce Space and Technology, LLC
+ Joseph Anderson, Vice President, Operations and Business Development, Space Logistics LLC
+ John Lymer, Chief Architect, Robotics and Automation, Maxar Corporation
+ Al Tadros, CGO of Redwire and VP of Space Structures, Made In Space
November 17 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET
Meta Session Panel: Moonshot to Moonbase: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Lunar Architectures and Infrastructure
Representative: Al Tadros, CGO of Redwire and VP of Space Structures at Made In Space
Session Description: We’re back focused on the Moon, but is this focus here to stay? It will be if we can agree on why we need to go back to the Moon. NASA’s Artemis architecture provides a good framework for getting started, but how will we develop a permanent presence on the Moon? What are the technological challenges? What economic drivers are most likely to lead to a permanent presence on the Moon? And what can we do now to maximize our learning on the Moon for future exploration and settlement of Mars?
Session Moderator: George Sowers, Professor, Space Resources, Colorado School of Mines
Session Panelists:
+ Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 Astronaut and former U.S. Senator from New Mexico
+ Paul Wooster, Principal Moon and Mars Development Engineer, SpaceX
+ David Wilson, Principal VP and Chief Innovation Officer, Bechtel Corporation
+ Al Tadros, CGO of Redwire and VP of Space Structures, Made In Space
+ Jonathan Cirtain, VP and Chief Technology Officer, BWX Technologies, Inc.
November 17 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET
Engagement Session Panel: Transforming the Future of Space Infrastructure: A Conversation With Redwire CEO Peter Cannito
Representative: Peter Cannito, CEO of Redwire
Session Description: Redwire CEO Peter Cannito sits down with Ben Iannotta, the Editor-In-Chief of Aerospace America, to discuss how Redwire is positioning itself to be a new leader in mission critical space solutions and infrastructure for the next generation space economy. Key topics include the current state of the aerospace and defense industry and the future of space-optimized structures. How will advancements in space infrastructure impact the globe and what are the most critical architectures for these industries?
Session Host: Benjamin Iannotta, AIAA
November 17 | 1:00–2:00 PM ET
Meta Session Panel: Space Structures at Scale
Representative: Andrew Rush, COO of Redwire
Session Description: As LEO commercialization moves from cautious early entrants to a burgeoning global effort, we’ll need space structures built at scale—for government labs, academic research, industry research and development, and space tourism. These structures will need all the considerations of resource-constrained habitats on Earth (power generation and construction optimization, sustainable and closed-loop life support, interior space allocation, user-centric design, and more), while also relying on the rigors of aerospace engineering to survive the unique challenges of the space environment. Listen to the leading minds in construction at mega-scale, to the architects, urban planners, and space engineers who will finally realize humanity’s centuries-old ambition of living in space habitats amongst the stars.
Session Moderator: Ariel Ekblaw, Founder and Lead, Space Exploration Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Session Panelists:
+ Michael Costas, General Manager, Defense and Space, Bechtel
+ Andrew Rush, COO, Redwire
+ Lara Kearney, Deputy Manager, Gateway Program, NASA Johnson Space Center
+ Thomas Heatherwick, Founder, Heatherwick Studio
November 18 | 9:00–10:00 AM ET
Tech Presentation: On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing II
Title: Archinaut One Technology Demonstration Mission Status Update
Representative: Elon Gordon, Mechanical Engineer, Made In Space
ASCENDxSummit Session: Space Science & Technology: Filling Technology Deserts with Space
Representative: Justin Kugler, VP of Advanced Programs and Concepts, Made In Space
Session Description: Our previous panel began the discussion about the future of telecommunications. Let’s continue this discussion with how to fill in the gaps in our network capacity, often referred to as rural broadband deserts. Representatives from large fiber network infrastructure and service providers will join space industry experts to raise awareness of the opportunities both on Earth and in space.
+ How can space technology be utilized to fill in these broadband deserts?
+ What is the role for terrestrial infrastructure companies in the future development of space?
+ Which terrestrial technologies are applicable and what needs to be developed?
+ How will space technologies help to increase throughput on our most highly used networks back on Earth?
