Southern California’s space economy draws its strength from a dense concentration of companies, technical talent, investors, and research institutions.
The New Space Economy Forum at the University of Southern California brings this community together to explore what comes next.
Founders, operators, investors, public-sector leaders, and researchers will discuss the technologies, infrastructure, and commercialization pathways driving the sector, and the funding and partnerships needed to move it forward.
Join us for candid conversations about the region’s opportunities and challenges, and to build connections across industry, government, and academia.
Hosted by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the USC Stevens School of Computing & AI, and the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
OUR SPONSORS
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PROGRAM
When: November 17, 2026. 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM PST
Where: Ginsburg Hall, USC University Park Campus. GET MAP
9:00 AM
Arrival, Check-in and Breakfast
9:30 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Gaurav Sukhatme
Dean (Interim), USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Director, USC Stevens School of Computing and AI.
9:35 AM
Opening Remarks
Beong-Soo Kim
President, University of Southern California
9:45 AM
Panel 1
Propulsion and Launch Technologies
Moderator
Paul Ronney
Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
10:45 AM
Panel 2
Remote Sensing and Geospatial Intelligence
Moderator
Mahta Moghaddam
Vice Dean of Research, Ming Hsieh Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
11.45 AM
Lunch | Networking | PhD Poster Session
1:00 PM
Keynote
A.C. Charania
Balerion Space Ventures
Former NASA Chief Technology Officer
1:40 PM
Panel 3
Spacecraft, Autonomy, and Operations
Moderator
Keenan Albee
Assistant Professor of Astronautical Engineering and of Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering
2:40 PM
Panel 4
Human Permanence in Space
Moderator
Garrett Reisman
Professor of Astronautics Practice
3:35 PM
Break
3:55 PM
Spotlight Talk
Microelectronics & Computing Technology for Space
Spotlight Speaker
Steve Crago
Interim Michael Keston Executive Director of the Information Sciences Institute and Interim Vice Dean of Engineering, Research Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
4:20 PM
Panel 5
Funding the New Space Economy
Moderator
Gabriel Schlumberger
Managing Director, USC & Techstars Space Accelerators
5:20 PM
Closing Remarks
5:30 - 6:30PM
Networking Reception
With USC Faculty and Viterbi Student Design Teams (Location: Korean Air Convergence Plaza)
Aftershock II
Aftershock II
The USC Space Engineering Research Center
The USC Space Engineering Research Center
USC alumnus Neil Armstrong
USC alumnus Neil Armstrong
SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker
A.C. Charania
Balerion Space Ventures
Former NASA Chief Technology Officer
Spotlight Speaker
Steve Crago
Interim Michael Keston Executive Director of the Information Sciences Institute and Interim Vice Dean of Engineering
470,000 FEET. A WORLD RECORD.
In 2024, USC students shattered the international amateur rocketry altitude record, demonstrating the ambition and ingenuity driving the next generation of space exploration.
EXPLORE THE RESEARCH
Related research labs & programs
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Space Engineering Research Center |
Laboratory for Autonomous Systems in Exploration and Robotics |
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Robot Locomotion and Navigation Dynamics USC Dornsife |
Microwave Systems, Sensors and Imaging Lab USC Defense Ready Electronics and Microdevices Superhub |
BECOME A SPONSOR
Connect with the founders, investors, researchers and technical experts helping build Southern California’s space economy.
LET'S CONNECT
Questions about the program, registration or sponsorship?
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Maurena Nacheff-Benedict |
Candace House Teixeira |
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Assistant Dean of Corporate |
Associate Dean of Corporate housec@usc.edu |
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