Author: Ron Faith
Date: April 24, 2026
Last week, we were at the National Space Symposium at the The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. It is always a very busy time, but here are some observations from the event:
Artemis II Success Halo Effect:
The conference had a higher energy level and a positive vibe from the start. This can be attributed to the successful Artemis II mission. Artemis II captured the imagination and was a rousing success, with a great crew that conveyed the awe and wonder of space exploration. There was an extra pep in everyone’s step.
The Need for Speed:
The new space race is on (U.S. & allies vs. China), and there is a sense of urgency to get new commercial capabilities into the hands of the warfighter. The government has provided a clear demand signal to industry with increased budgets, and now it is up to the commercial sector to deliver mission-critical capabilities.
Change in Acquisition Mindset:
There have been many lessons learned over the past few years, and one of them is the need for acquisition reform to increase the rate at which commercial capabilities can reach the warfighter. One bottleneck that was clearly identified is the shortage of contracting officers.
Many Spacecraft, Many Orbits, Many Partners:
The importance of allies, combined with the rise of many constellations across multiple orbits, is increasing execution complexity and the need for clear roles, responsibilities, and interfaces between parties. There is also a pressing need for greater launch capacity to place these thousands of spacecraft into orbit. It is clear that with the dramatic increase in spacecraft, demand for orbital data relays and ground stations will be significant.
Overall:
It was a very positive National Space Symposium. We enjoyed meeting with our mission customers, partners, and the broader ecosystem. The spirit of Artemis II lifted everyone’s outlook as we take on the challenges ahead.