Settling the moon

From the Moon to Markets: Building the Cis-Lunar Economy

Space Settlement Summit: Among the Top Space Events of 2026 - Part of UCF Space Week 2026 with The Economist

October 25th & 26th, 2026

the national space society's

Space Settlement Summit 2026

Connecting innovators to lead the next space economic boom.


The Space Settlement Summit 2026 Experience

You are invited to be part of a collaborative force actively laying the foundation for a sustainable future on the Moon and beyond. The aim of Space Settlement Summit 2026 is to bridge the gap between lunar exploration and commercial reality by tackling the structural frameworks of the cis-lunar economy.

Our workshops will dive straight into the vital logistics of living and working on the Moon, the security of space economic interests, governance, and the deployment of next-generation power grids and orbital habitats. Attendees are invited to join their selected breakout workshops. Click the tabs below to explore the daily schedules.

Space Settlement Summit 2026 Agenda
Space Settlement Summit 2026 — Agenda
Day 1: Sunday, October 25th
The Celeste Hotel
9:00–10:00 AM
Opening Remarks
Welcome from our summit hosts, introducing this year's key objectives, the thematic framing of the lunar economy, and essential event logistics.
10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Morning Workshop Block
Workshop A Why the Moon, Why Now?
Facilitated by Pascal Lee

The Moon is, to many, the obvious next logical destination for human space endeavors beyond low Earth orbit. To NASA and its Artemis partners, the Moon Base is now the new multi-decadal project all are working together to realize. To scientists, the Earth’s natural satellite is a companion world holding definitive clues to the origin and evolution of the Earth-Moon system, and possibly of many other planetary systems as well. To prospectors—at least the optimistic ones—the Moon offers the promise of a new Eldorado, rich enough to feed a “Gold Rush” predicated on an economically viable in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). To space entrepreneurs, the Moon is where the next big business venture and commercial opportunities lie, and where a wide range of new technologies will be demonstrated and tested. To geopolitical strategists and the military, the Moon is the new influence theater and warfare domain. To futurists, the Moon is where we become a multiplanet species.

Given the diversity of stakeholders and perspectives, can a common purpose and set of specific objectives be articulated regarding why we need to focus on the Moon, and why it should be done now? Led by Dr Pascal Lee, director of the Mars Institute, senior planetary scientist at the SETI Institute, and VP for Planetary Development at the NSS, this workshop will collect, synthesize, and if possible, unify all the good reasons we should aim for the Moon, establish a base there, and why we should do it now. This workshop will also be open to considering potential arguments for why we maybe should not, or should not now. The goal of the workshop is to collect input from all participants to help ensure our current national and international plans to return to the Moon and establish a base there are solidly founded, crisply articulated, realistically planned, and optimally implemented.

Workshop B Living and Working on the Moon
Facilitated by Saleem MiyanDescription coming soon.
Workshop C Orbital Space Settlement Design Part 1 of 2
Facilitated by Dale Skran, Fredrick Jenet & Bryce MeyerAs a participant in the 2026 Space Settlement Summit, you are invited to engage in a workshop that is part of the Orbital Space Settlement Design Project. Based on terms of reference adopted by the NSS in March 2026, the end goal of this five year effort is a complete engineering design for the first rotating space settlement in cislunar space. The focus of the workshop at the 2026 Space Settlement Summit will be twofold. The first is to take an initial look at the use case for a rotating orbital space settlement at some location in the Earth-Moon system. The second is the review, expansion, explication, and explanation of the questions that must be answered to complete the engineering design of an orbital space settlement. Additionally, the dependencies between the questions will be discussed. The workshop will be led by the RSSD Project Leads: Rick Jenet, Dale Skran, and Bryce Meyer. The questions will be divided into three groups to allow persons with differing interests and skills to participate in the section they find the most interesting. The three sessions are high level requirements, agricultural/biological, and physical/construction. Find out more >
1:00–2:00 PM
Lunch
A buffet lunch served at the hotel for all participants to connect, recharge, and build valuable professional relationships.
2:00–5:00 PM
Afternoon Workshop Block
Workshop A Powering the Future
Description coming soon.
Workshop B Vital Economic Interests in Cis-Lunar Space
Description coming soon.
Workshop C Orbital Space Settlement Design Part 2 of 2
Facilitated by Dale Skran, Fredrick Jenet & Bryce MeyerThis session continues the morning's Orbital Space Settlement Design workshop. As a participant in the 2026 Space Settlement Summit, you are invited to engage in a workshop that is part of the Orbital Space Settlement Design Project. Based on terms of reference adopted by the NSS in March 2026, the end goal of this five year effort is a complete engineering design for the first rotating space settlement in cislunar space. The focus of the workshop at the 2026 Space Settlement Summit will be twofold. The first is to take an initial look at the use case for a rotating orbital space settlement at some location in the Earth-Moon system. The second is the review, expansion, explication, and explanation of the questions that must be answered to complete the engineering design of an orbital space settlement. Additionally, the dependencies between the questions will be discussed. The workshop will be led by the RSSD Project Leads: Rick Jenet, Dale Skran, and Bryce Meyer. The questions will be divided into three groups to allow persons with differing interests and skills to participate in the section they find the most interesting. The three sessions are high level requirements, agricultural/biological, and physical/construction. Find out more >
5:00–7:00 PM
Reception
Join fellow summit participants and speakers for light bites, drinks, and informal conversation to spark new collaborations after the day's sessions. The reception also features the official book launch and signing of A Dream Renewed, with editors Dale Skran and Rod Pyle.
Space Settlement Summit 2026 — Agenda
Day 2: Monday, October 26th
UCF Campus, Business 1, The Exchange, Room 148
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Morning Workshop Block
Workshop A Space Economic Security
Description coming soon.
Workshop B We’re Going to the Moon. Who Cares About the Outer Space Treaty?
Facilitated by Michelle Hanlon

The rockets are being built. Companies are planning lunar mines, power systems, communications networks and settlements. Governments are forming competing coalitions. Surely a treaty written in 1967 cannot tell today’s entrepreneurs how to build a lunar economy. Or can it?

This interactive workshop will put the Outer Space Treaty to work. Participants will confront a fast-moving lunar scenario involving rival settlements, competing resource operations, safety zones, damaged infrastructure and interference with historic and scientific sites. Does the Treaty protect private enterprise or constrain it? Can companies secure investment without traditional property rights? Who gets priority when two operators want the same location? Can contracts, insurance, technical standards and private arbitration fill the gaps, or will governments inevitably step in?

This will not be a lecture about what lawyers think the Treaty means. Participants will determine what the Treaty must mean if people are actually going to live, work and do business on the Moon, then identify the practical steps needed to build rules that facilitate investment, commercial growth and human settlement without importing unnecessary terrestrial bureaucracy. The precedents established on the Moon will not remain there. They will influence how humanity approaches resources, property, commerce and settlement on Mars, asteroids and throughout the solar system. You may not care about the Outer Space Treaty. But the future space economy will be built within the legal framework it created.

Workshop C Earth, Moon, and Mars Logistics
Facilitated by Doug Owens

With NASA returning to the Moon via the Artemis program--this time with plans to stay--now's the time to iron out how we plan to move mass efficiently around the solar system to support these and other human space settlement activities. We'll focus on the supply chains, resource management, and orbital transit networks required to sustain human presence across cis-lunar and interplanetary space. In this two-hour collaborative workshop, we will map out the critical infrastructure, risks, and technical gaps preventing us from bridging these three celestial bodies. Through rapid brainstorming sessions and structured group debates, we will analyze current capabilities and future friction points. Ultimately, we will co-create and deliver to the assembled Space Settlement Summit three core architectural findings and three high-impact recommendations for immediate action by 2028.

12:00–1:00 PM
Lunch
A buffet lunch served at the hotel for all participants to connect, recharge, and build valuable professional relationships.
1:00–3:00 PM
Conference Report-Outs
A collaborative concluding session to summarize key outcomes, findings, and recommendations across all workshops. This joint review will identify shared priorities, critical dependencies, gaps, and concrete next steps to carry the summit's progress forward.
3:00–5:00 PM
Optional Tours
Option A Florida Space Institute
Longer description coming soon.
Option B Exolith Lab®
Longer description coming soon.
7:00–9:00 PM
ReceptionBack at The Celeste Hotel
Join fellow Space Settlement Summit and Space Economy Summit participants and speakers for light bites, drinks, and informal conversation to spark new collaborations after the day's sessions.

Space Settlement Summit 2026 will be at the University of Central Florida part of Space Week 

UCF logo: bold gold letters UCF with a white outline on a black background

Join us in Orlando for UCF Space Week, October 25th–30th, 2026 — a six-day series of events celebrating innovation in space science, exploration, and policy. Kicking off with the Space Settlement Summit on October 25th & 26th, the week continues with keynotes, tech demos, student showcases, and more. Don’t miss this unique convergence of visionaries, researchers, and future leaders shaping our multi-planetary future.


UCF Space Week Itinerary

October 25th – 30th, 2026

Space Week 2026 Schedule
National Space Society
Day 1: Sunday, October 25th (The Celeste Hotel)
Day 2: Monday, October 26th (UCF Campus)
Space Settlement Summit 2026
Our two-day summit explores settlement and exploration challenges and innovations tied to the moon. The cis-lunar-focused dialogue will include interactive workshops, panel discussions, and report-outs. Register now >
Reception & Dining
A light continental breakfast will be provided both days.
A networking full lunch will be provided both days.
Sunday evening reception with light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.
Monday evening joint networking reception for all Space Settlement attendees, Economist attendees, and UCF Space Week staff and students (with light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar).
University of Central Florida
Tuesday, October 27th
SpaceU Symposium
Join leaders, researchers, and students from across Florida to discuss the latest innovations and research driving the future of space science. Designed for students, researchers, and partners from UCF, UF, ERAU, Florida Tech, KSC, industry partners, and regional space organizations. Find out more >
Reception & Dining
Light breakfast and coffee break provided.
Networking lunch provided.
The Economist
Day 1: Wednesday, October 28th (Starts at 2:00 PM)
Day 2: Thursday, October 29th
Space Economy Summit 2026
The 4th annual Space Economy Summit connects space companies with senior decision-makers across government, defence, finance, agriculture, energy, logistics, telecoms, insurance, healthcare and industry. It is a cross-sector platform designed to move the conversation beyond the space-sector echo chamber and towards the customers, partners and investors who will shape demand. Whether you are building satellites, analytics platforms, launch services, connectivity networks, orbital infrastructure or lunar capabilities, this summit is the place to find out what the market needs next. Taking place on October 28th & 29th in Orlando as part of UCF's Space Week 2026, the summit will attract 500+ attendees with 100+ speakers and 30+ case studies. Find out more >

Space Settlement Summit attendees: Use code SPACE25 for an exclusive discount to the Space Economy Summit.
Reception & Dining
Wednesday evening networking reception from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
Please note there is no evening reception scheduled for Thursday.
UCF America's Space U
Friday, October 30th
UCF Space Game: Knights vs. Baylor
Capping off Space Week, celebrate the 10th anniversary of this annual tradition live at the stadium! Paying homage to UCF's deep connections to the space program, join thousands of fans to unite around UCF's identity as America's Space University. Can't make it to the stadium? Catch the live national broadcast on ESPN. Find out more >

Book Launch:

A Dream Renewed: Space Settlement in the 21st Century

A window into the possibilities of human expansion into the final frontier.

Recently, more than fifty academics, engineers, NASA officials, and high-level leaders in the space exploration industry worked in tandem to perform a careful review of plans for major space settlement. 

 A Dream Renewed: Space Settlement in the 21st Century dives deep into previously overlooked and lightly addressed subject areas and introduces many new and unique approaches to living off- Earth. This book is an exclusive report of that work and is the first comprehensive update since Gerard K. O’Neill’s work in the 1970s.

Join us on Sunday, October 25th, during the Summit reception for the official launch of A Dream Renewed, presented by editors Dale Skran and Rod Pyle. Copies will be available for purchase throughout the Space Settlement Summit, and both editors will be on hand to sign copies.

This Year’s Facilitators at Space Settlement Summit 2026

Visionaries in Space Exploration, Science, Policy, and Innovation at the 2026 Space Settlement Summit

Dr. Pascal Lee

Co-founder and Chairman, Mars Institute

Dale Skran

COO/SVP, National Space Society


About the National Space Society (NSS)

NSS organizer of the Space Settlement Summit 2025 space conference Orlando

The National Space Society (NSS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Our vision is a future where people live and work in thriving communities beyond the Earth. NSS is committed to a space settlement agenda that will transform space from a frontier to a robustly inhabited and developed domain.


Our Mission

To empower humanity's future in space. We advocate for the exploration and settlement of space through policy, advocacy, outreach, and education. We inspire and educate the general public, support cutting-edge research, and promote the unifying power of space for the betterment of humanity. Our goal is a future where the limitless resources of space benefit all of humanity, fueling a new era of prosperity, opportunity, and discovery.


Accommodation Details

Main Accommodations, Evening Receptions & NSS Board Meeting Location

Celeste Hotel Orlando FL of the Space Settlement Summit 2025 NSS Space Summit and space innovation conference

The Celeste Hotel, Orlando

A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

4105 N Alafaya Trail | Orlando, FL 32826

We are pleased to offer a block of rooms at the The Celeste Hotel in Orlando for the Space Settlement Summit 2026 attendees. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and convenient amenities, providing an ideal home base for your summit experience. The Celeste Hotel is just minutes away from the University of Central Florida campus. Rooms are available at a special rate of $189.00 plus tax from October 20th to October 31st, with availability extending a few days before and after these dates. All bookings must be made by October 2nd to guarantee the group rate.

Secure your stay at The Celeste Hotel in Orlando and be at the heart of all the summit activities. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank You to Our Space Settlement Summit Sponsors

NFCU Sponsor of the Space Settlement Summit 2025 for space conference Orlando
Heinliein Prize Trust Sponsor of the Space Settlement Summit 2025 for space conference Orlando

International Space Development Conference

May 27 - 30, 2027
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
Los Angeles, California

Interested in More Space?

Check out the National Space Society's Official Magazine

Have Questions?

Contact Aggie Kobrin at the National Space Society for more information

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