Space Foundation

Speaker Spotlight | 41st Space Symposium Space Foundation is pleased to welcome William Adkins, Principal Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, to the 41st Space Symposium April 13–16. Appointed in January 2026, Mr. Adkins brings a career that spans nearly every corridor of the national security space enterprise — from spacecraft engineering at the Naval Research Laboratory and technology development at the CIA, to a decade of private sector advisory work and senior legislative roles on both the House Appropriations and House Science Committees. He arrives at the NRO with direct oversight experience across the Space Force, Space Command, NSA, NGA, and Cyber Command. Join us: https://bit.ly/4sDeiHY Colorado Springs, CO | April 13–16, 2026 #41Space

A compelling perspective from Victor Glover in @Tariq J. Malik's latest piece, reflecting on what Artemis II represents beyond the mission itself: https://lnkd.in/gXDjuuGB Glover’s connection to Whitey on the Moon is more than symbolic. It is a reminder that space exploration is deeply tied to the realities many people experience every day. As Artemis II prepares to carry humans around the Moon, the mission represents more than a technical milestone. The crew includes the first woman and the first person of color to travel to the Moon, expanding who is represented in this next chapter of exploration. It is an opportunity to broaden who feels included in the future we are building.

Blaine Brown has worked 40 years for Lockheed Martin and spent half his career on the Orion spacecraft. He entered the space industry just after the age of Apollo — and he's been chasing something bigger ever since. "That's why I am still working — to not only do what Apollo did but to take the next step and have a permanent presence on the Moon." As manager of Orion Spacecraft Mechanical Systems and Avionics Engineering, Brown joined the Orion project at its earliest stage in 2005. He says modern computing power and advanced manufacturing have made the spacecraft safer and tougher than anything that came before it — with robust flight rules and onboard systems designed to keep crews out of harm's way. "It is crew safety over and above mission success." Every flight brings anxiety, Brown said, because space remains wild, dangerous, and mostly unexplored. But Orion is built for it. "We know we have a good ship." For more on the people and effort behind Artemis II, download our free Moon Briefing Book: https://bit.ly/47BkXde Read Blaine's full story: https://lnkd.in/gqYmDcs6 Photo: Rockford Register Star

We're #hiring a new Space Education Specialist in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Speaker Spotlight | 41st Space Symposium Space Foundation is pleased to welcome Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, Commander, U.S. Space Command, to the 41st Space Symposium April 13–16. As Commander, Gen. Whiting is responsible for defending U.S. and allied interests in the space domain. He exercises command authority over service members operating ground and space-based systems worldwide. A 1989 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in aeronautical engineering, Gen. Whiting is a career space operations officer. His command history includes the 21st Space Wing, the Combined Force Space Component Command and 14th Air Force, and most recently, Space Operations Command at Peterson SFB. Join him. Be a part of the conversation: https://bit.ly/4uSrPga Colorado Springs, CO | April 13–16, 2026 #41Space

We're #hiring a new PT Summer Camp Educator in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Apply today or share this post with your network.

When a seal issue appeared during Artemis II stacking at Kennedy Space Center, NASA had one answer: fly in Steve Nielson. He had it fixed in four hours. For 37 years, Nielson has been the man in the middle — joining sections of Northrop Grumman solid rocket boosters, first for the space shuttle and now for Artemis. He's one of the last people on Earth with an encyclopedic understanding of the seals that hold back millions of pounds of thrust per booster. "There are only two of us who do it now. We used to have 50 or 60 people." Nielson learned the trade on the job during the shuttle program, refueling, inspecting, and repairing each steel segment before it flew again. Today, he brings that same precision to the first crewed Artemis flight. "Humans fly on these rockets, and that's why we take such pride in our work." For more on the people and effort behind Artemis II, download our free Moon Briefing Book: https://bit.ly/4bzDlpu Read Steve's full story: https://bit.ly/4lTKfJJ

It’s always rewarding to spotlight the future talent shaping this industry. Specialist 4 Logan E. Pinder is the recipient of the Admiral James O. Ellis Jr. New Generation National Security Scholarship and earned a front row seat to the 41st Space Symposium. Since joining the Space Force in 2023, Specialist Pinder has made an outsized impact — spearheading new intelligence capabilities, building tools that dramatically improve information sharing and decision-making across teams, and mentoring space leaders along the way. We are grateful to Admiral Ellis for making this opportunity possible for Logan. His lifetime of service and leadership as our board chair lives on through young professionals like Logan who are already making a difference. The future is in good hands. #41Space

“May You Always Find a Star to Wish Upon.” That’s how Ann Carlisle closes every email. She embodies the professionalism, warmth, and genuine helpfulness that define our Customer Relations Team. Even in the busy days leading up to Space Symposium, where thousands of attendees from scores of countries and hundreds of exhibitors and speakers all gather, Ann keeps her cool. And most impressive of all, she keeps her smile. She’s also fun to know year-round. Ask her about a Dancing Queen flash mob, how a soap commercial funded her college, or her family, and she lights up instantly. I hope you get to meet her…and the many teammates at Space Foundation who make the Space Symposium so special. Join us: https://bit.ly/3NSncSO #41Space

Space Symposium is just three weeks away. As the official airport of Space Symposium, Colorado Springs Airport provides an efficient travel experience for attendees of America's premier space event. Plan ahead and book your flight into COS for April 13–16. #41Space #FlyCOS