The latest annual Space Symposium was the biggest ever for the global space community, bringing together spacefaring nations, private industry leaders, and military agencies. 

The annual event hosted by the Space Foundation brought together many sectors of the space community to collaborate and form partnerships between the international space agencies and governments, military leaders, commercial industry, and space entrepreneurs. 

The focus of the space conference was to inform and educate with an emphasis on collaboration, engagement, and connection regarding innovation, access and opportunity. 

The conference brought over 10,000 people and 275 exhibits to the Broadmoor Hotel, with 40 countries in attendance with a huge presence of space companies in attendance and 100 companies on a waiting list who wanted to participate. 

There was an unusually large number of groups in attendance due to the recent lifting of travel restrictions worldwide. Even so, online access to presentations and discussions was essential for those who couldn’t travel. 

In addition to the traditional programming at the Space Symposium,  special programs included presentations focused on artificial intelligence, investment, and workshops on space law, a new and evolving field.

Exhibitors competed for the attention of investors and potential partners with merchandise to lure people into their booths. Items included light-up Hawaiian leis, flip flops, and lightsabers. 

One of the coolest exhibits was a mock-up of HALO at the Northrop Grumman booth that is being developed to serve as a gateway to the moon in the future. Another was a spacesuit on display that will be used by Nasa’s Artemis program which aims to return humans to the moon in a few years.

An international art contest featured in the exhibit hall was created by children from all over the world with the theme of living, working, and playing on the moon. The overall Art Achievement Award for the contest went to a 16-year-old from Ukraine named Victoria.

The space store in the exhibit hall was also delightfully full of surprises.  Items included space luggage tags, planetary and constellation pattern socks, and specialty items such as Space Salsa and treats for dogs. All proceeds went to attendees of a space camp for kids.

The excitement of easier access to space was discussed at the opening reception of the symposium. This year, 20 astronauts had flown into space including the youngest man, oldest man and woman, and a married couple.

Emphasis was also placed on the crucial role of military dominance in space in national and international security. 

Space is now seen as a war-fighting environment by military leaders worldwide. The conference discussed several critical missions focused on deterrence, early warning systems, and communications.

Primary importance is being placed on integrating the flow of intelligence between each branch of the military in the United States. The newly created Space Force will be in charge of coordinating intelligence between each branch.

The use of satellites has been playing a dominant role in the war in Ukraine as intelligence-gathering reveals stark truths about the invasion.

Private industry, governments, and entrepreneurs are partnering to create new space technologies as it becomes more important to evolve. This integration  brings up the issues of protections for personnel and security  not just for the military but also personnel in the private sector and their companies who assist in the defense against Russian aggression or other global threats. 

General James Dickinson of the US Space Command emphasized the need for a commercial integration strategy with government agencies and the private sector . He also discussed how there was a need for the military and for  global allies and commercial partners  throughout the world to promote and protect  international security with space dominance and intelligence. 

One of the pressing issues for the space industry discussed at this conference is the need for space talent. The government and private industry is working to bolster K-12 STEM education. $20 million is being poured into internships and college programs to promote interest in space careers.

Currently, there are more openings than candidates in this field. One of the discussions was the loosening of restrictions between government and private industry in order to increase the efficiency of hiring space talent.

A new and unique program offered by start-up company Nova Space, Inc.,  has contracted with the Space Foundation to offer individuals, educational institutions, and corporations training in job preparedness for employment in the space industry. The program will allow people to earn certificates in space employment readiness, including space literacy regarding terminology, so they may feel comfortable working in the industry. This program may just be the tip of the iceberg in creating educational opportunities in the industry. 

Many countries were represented from around the world at this event. Exhibitors included countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Australia, and Japan, just to name a few.

The Australian government announced a partnership with NASA and won a 1.2 billion dollar contract to promote partnerships with the US in enhancing Earth observation from space. Australia is set to become a key contributor to this observation data.

Saber Astronautics is evolving as a key player in the industry, with labs in Boulder and corporate offices in  Sydney and Adelaide, Australia. It has recently won a US Department of Defense Contract for Sentinel.

In addition, Saber Astronautics announced the addition of RBC Signals as a satellite communications supplier to the Responsive Space Operations Centre (RSOC). The RSOC is Saber’s mission control centre program offering satellite operations and traffic support.

With several mission control centers based in Australia and Colorado, the RSOC provides a global “follow-the-sun” service for large numbers of satellites and an open marketplace for satellite communications and owners that scales services to their needs.

Space Symposium promises to be a spectacular event for years to come.

By April Chepovskygold

American Editor IdeaSpies