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In-Space Physical AI Workshop


In-Space Physical AI Workshop

The Ion | 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 | February 11-12, 2026.

We are excited to announce the In-Space Physical AI Workshop on February 11-12, 2026. This event will bring together industry leaders, government agencies, and academia to explore the cutting edge of AI in space exploration.

The workshop will include sessions on:

  • AI-enabling mission to Mars

  • AI-magnified strategic economic presence in cis-lunar space

  • Defending the homeland

  • International collaboration

  • Short pitches and posters: Startups/commercial vendors

Presentations by leading space AI startups and government sponsors will highlight the latest advancements and future directions.

Register Here
Sponsor Here

Thank you to our sponsors!

Call for Poster or Presentation

If you are interested in participating in the poster/presentation portion of this event, please fill out the fields below.

Organized by Rice Nexus in collaboration with Purdue, Vanderbilt, and NASA.

Workshop Program

Day 1: February 11
Time Duration Session Description
8:00 – 8:30 30 min Registration, Tea/Coffee (Continues through lunch)
8:30 – 8:45 15 min Welcome Address
Dr. David Sholl, Executive Vice President for Research, Rice University
8:45 – 9:30 45 min Inaugural Address / Keynote
Featuring keynote speaker Matt Ondler, President, Aegis Aerospace
9:30 – 10:45 75 min Enabling Missions to Mars – Part I: Using AI independently of humans
This session brings NASA, industry, and university experts together to address the use of AI for autonomous robotic operations, repair, maintenance, logistics of systems during long periods of time without crew presence.
Moderator:
Montgomery Goforth, Chief Technologist, NASA Johnson Space Center
Panelists:
10:45 – 11:15 30 min Short Pitches & Poster Highlights: Startups / Commercial Vendors
  1. Torres Orbital Mining (TOM) — Luis Torres Juarez
    Title: Edge AI in Excavation: Local Autonomy for Space and Earth
  2. Novium — Brittany Commins
    Title: Modular Robotic Arm Demonstration for On-Orbit Refueling and Next Generation In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing
  3. Intuitive Machines — Jonathan Anthony
    Title: Lunar Terrain Vehicle
  4. Stellar Guard — Miguel Angel Lopez-Medina
    Title: "Earth-Independent Cyber Defense Platform for Space Systems: A SPARTA-Mapped, Multi-Agent Edge-AI Platform."
  5. Rice Nexus & Intuitive Machines — Miguel Angel Lopez-Medina & Leah Li
    Title: "Space Telemetry OS: AI Tool for Correlation Discovery & Dual-Model Mission Control with GenAI Insights"
  6. AiKynetix — Anton Galvas
    Title: AI-driven Physical Exercise/Therapy in Space
  7. Lola Vision Systems — Tayo Adesanya
    Title: The Edge AI Chiplet of the Future for Defense in Space
  8. EerDx — Jatin Tekchandani
    Title: AI-Based Classification of Neural Activity from an In-Ear Wearable for Detection of Circadian Rhythm Disorders in Astronauts
  9. Helios Solutions — Joel Busa
    Title: Total MC/DC Code Coverage Generation and Evidence for Human-Rated Flight Software Certification
11:15 – 12:15 60 min Lunch + Poster Session / Demos
12:15 – 13:30 75 min Strategic Economic Presence in LEO & Cis-Lunar Space – Part I: AI for Computing and Data Center
This session brings together NASA, industry leaders, and university researchers to examine the pivotal role of AI in advancing computing and data infrastructure for space.
Moderator: Brian Sierawski (Vanderbilt)
Panelists:
13:30 – 14:45 75 min Physical AI for Defending the Homeland – Part I: Missile Defense
This session brings industry, defense agencies, and academia experts together to identify critical In-Space Physical AI capabilities and needs for the nation’s SHIELD Missile Defense initiative.
Moderator: Ananth Grama (Purdue)
Panelists:
14:45 – 15:15 30 min Tea/Coffee Break
15:15 – 15:45 30 min Invited Academic Talk
Marshall Porterfield, Professor of Biological Engineering & Space Biophysics, Purdue University
15:45 – 16:05 20 min Virtual Presentation
Adam Amara, UKSA Chief Scientist
15:45 – 17:00 75 min International Collaboration in Space: The increasing role of AI in multilateral, interdisciplinary, and commercial space environments
This session brings together a number of representatives from government, business and academia to discuss how AI is influencing conversations and decision-making around space activities and operations.
Moderator: David Alexander, Director, Rice Space Institute
Panelists:
Virtual Presentation: Adam Amara, UKSA Chief Scientist
Day 2: February 12
Time Duration Session Description
8:30 – 9:00 30 min Tea/Coffee (Continues through lunch)
9:00 – 9:15 15 min Welcome
9:15 – 10:00 45 min Keynote / Fireside Chat
Featuring keynote speaker Steve Smith, Director, Flight Systems at Blue Origin
10:00 – 11:15 75 min Enabling Missions to Mars – Part II: Using AI to support humans in space
This session will bring together Subject Matter Experts to address the use of AI to aid astronauts in complex tasks during which they would historically have had MCC-based assistance.
Moderator:
Steven Fredrickson – Chief, Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division, Engineering Directorate, Johnson Space Center
Panelists:
11:15 – 11:45 30 min Featured Speaker: Academia
Ajay Malshe, Inaugural Director, Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL), Purdue University College of Engineering
11:45 – 12:45 60 min Lunch + Poster Session / Demos
12:45 – 14:00 75 min Strategic Economic Presence in LEO & Cis-Lunar Space – Part II: AI for Healthcare
Moderator: Xiaoguang Dong
Featuring confirmed speakers:
This session explores the expanding role of AI in healthcare for LEO and cis-lunar space.
14:00 – 15:15 75 min Physical AI for Defending the Homeland – Part II: PAI augmented operations
This session focuses on integrating robust, verified Physical AI systems to advance autonomous operations in space defense.
Moderator: Ananth Grama (Purdue)
Panelists:
15:15 – 15:45 30 min Invited Talk
Nicholas Skytland
15:45 – 16:00 15 min Closing & Wrap-Up
16:00 – 19:00 180 min The Inaugural Space Galette Reception
Hosted by the Consulate General of France in Houston and the Rice Space Institute, in partnership with Rice Nexus
Description:
To conclude the In Space Physical AI Workshop, we are pleased to invite the Houston space community to the Inaugural Space Galette Reception, a convivial and symbolic gathering inspired by the French tradition of La Galette des Rois.

This social event aims to bring together academia, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and institutional partners to celebrate the spirit of international collaboration that defines today’s space ecosystem. More than a reception, the Space Galette is designed as a community-building moment, fostering informal exchanges, new connections, and future partnerships across borders and disciplines.

Co-hosted by the Consulate General of France in Houston and the Rice Space Institute, in partnership with Rice Nexus, this first edition marks the launch of a new annual tradition in Houston, Texas. The Space Galette will henceforth take place each year between January and February, serving as a recurring rendezvous for the local and international space community.
Interested in Sponsoring? Contact Us!