Space visionaries, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students from around the world will gather in Florida next week for the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) 2025. Scheduled from June 19 to June 22 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, this year’s conference, organized by the National Space Society (NSS), promises to be a pivotal event for those passionate about accelerating humanity’s future in space.
ISDC 2025 will delve into cutting-edge innovations, ambitious missions, and collaborative strategies aimed at making space settlement and exploration a reality. The theme for this year’s conference, “Together, Beyond!” underscores the importance of collaboration across sectors and borders as humanity pushes further into the final frontier.
Key Highlights and Award Recipients
Among the notable award recipients is Space.com editor-in-chief Tariq Malik, who will receive the NSS Space Pioneer Award. This accolade recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to opening the space frontier. Rod Pyle, editor-in-chief of the NSS’s quarterly print magazine Ad Astra, praised Malik, stating,
“Tariq is one of a kind — truly an ace space reporter who gets it right every time without bias or an agenda. His passion for space is unmatched, and his expertise is as broad and deep as anyone I’ve met. Being in charge of a 24-hour specialty news outlet is no easy task, but he makes it seem so.”
Exploring Critical Topics
ISDC 2025 speakers will tackle several critical topics, including expanding global collaboration and access to space, developing spacefaring communities, space health, sustainability, and the reality of settling on the moon, Mars, and beyond. Sessions will also address the need for planetary defense strategies to protect Earth against dangerous asteroids.
For those interested in attending, more information, including registration details, pricing, and a full list of speakers and scheduled events, is available on the conference page online.
Notable Speakers and Sessions
Pascal Lee: Mars Exploration Expert
Pascal Lee, a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute, Mars Institute, and NASA’s Ames Research Center, will participate in a panel focused on space settlement ideas and lead the Mars session. Lee’s extensive experience in planetary development and his role as chief scientist at Ceres Robotics provide him with unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of Mars exploration.
Gretchen Green: Commercial Astronaut
Gretchen Green, who recently made history as the first woman physician commercial astronaut aboard Blue Origin’s NS-32 suborbital mission, will be a speaker at the “Many Roads to Space” session. Her background as a radiologist with over 20 years of experience offers a unique perspective on the intersection of medical expertise and spaceflight.
Jared Isaacman: Pioneering Astronaut
Jared Isaacman, known for commanding the first all-civilian space mission, Inspiration4, and the Polaris Dawn mission, will speak during Saturday’s dinner reception. Isaacman’s extensive experience, including over 7,000 flight hours and the first private astronaut spacewalk, makes him a key figure in the discussion of private space exploration.
Susan Kilrain: Former NASA Astronaut
Susan Kilrain, a former NASA astronaut and navy test pilot, will speak during multiple sessions, including an astronaut panel and a NextGen session. Her career, marked by piloting the space shuttle and receiving the Defense Superior Service Medal, positions her as a motivational speaker and STEM advocate.
Robert “Hoot” Gibson: Veteran Astronaut
Robert “Hoot” Gibson, a former NASA chief astronaut with a career spanning over 60 years, will bring his deep operational knowledge and mentorship in crewed spaceflight to multiple sessions. His experience includes flying five space shuttle missions, highlighting his significant contributions to space exploration.
Shawna Pandya: Space Medicine Expert
Shawna Pandya, set to become the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut, will lead the “Launchpad Talks” session. Her expertise in space medicine and her role as Director of Medical Research at Orbital Assembly Corporation make her a pivotal figure in discussing new ideas in space exploration and settlement.
Looking Ahead
The ISDC 2025 conference represents a unique opportunity for global leaders in space exploration to share insights, forge collaborations, and inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts. As humanity continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, events like ISDC 2025 play a crucial role in shaping the future of our presence beyond Earth.
