Physical AI is going to space. Every sector that builds it will be in this room.
ISPAI 27 is a hybrid of an industry event and an academic conference — two days where the companies shipping space systems, the labs inventing what's next, and the agencies defining the mission share the same stage in Houston.
Not a trade show. Not a paper mill. A working session for three sectors.
Space physical AI doesn't get built by one sector alone. Companies ship the hardware. Universities push the research frontier. Agencies define the missions and requirements. ISPAI 27 puts all three on every panel — deliberately designed as an industry–academia–government event, not a purely academic one.
Find your next customer, partner, or hire.
Hear mission needs first-hand, scout lab-ready research, and pitch on the Day-1 lightning stage.
See where your research meets the mission.
Pressure-test ideas against operators, find funding-aligned problems, and build tech-transfer relationships.
Shape the ecosystem solving your shortfalls.
Signal priorities early and survey emerging capability across startups, primes, and university labs.
Four topics. Both days.
Each theme runs as a moderated panel discussion on Day 1 and Day 2, seating industry, academic, and government voices together. Session Leads, moderators, and panelists will be announced soon.
Realizing Interconnected Lunar Infrastructure
Power, communications, and habitats that operate as a coordinated network rather than isolated outposts — and the commercial, research, and mission pathways to get there.
Autonomy, Robotics, and Onboard AI
The decision-making and manipulation systems that let spacecraft and rovers act without waiting on a ground link — from lab prototypes to flight-qualified systems.
Navigation, Tracking, and Space Situational Awareness
Knowing precisely where every asset and object is — and where it's headed next — across cislunar space and beyond.
Defending the Homeland
How space-based AI systems support national security, threat detection, and resilient defense infrastructure — where mission need meets commercial capability.
Two days, wall to wall.
Registration & Badge Pickup
The ION, main lobby
Opening Remarks
Welcome from the organizing institutions
Day 1 Keynote Keynote
Speaker to be announced
Coffee Break Break
Topic 1 — Realizing Interconnected Lunar Infrastructure
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Topic 2 — Autonomy, Robotics, and Onboard AI
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Lunch Break Break
Startup Lightning Pitches Startups
Early-stage founders pitch to investors, agencies, and industry
Topic 3 — Navigation, Tracking, and Space Situational Awareness
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Coffee Break Break
Topic 4 — Defending the Homeland
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Day 1 Closing Remarks
Evening Reception Reception
Connect with speakers, founders, faculty, and agency leaders
Welcome Back & Day 2 Overview
Day 2 Keynote Keynote
Speaker to be announced
Coffee Break Break
Topic 1 — Realizing Interconnected Lunar Infrastructure
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Topic 2 — Autonomy, Robotics, and Onboard AI
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Lunch Break Break
Topic 3 — Navigation, Tracking, and Space Situational Awareness
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Topic 4 — Defending the Homeland
Lead: TBD · Moderator: TBD · Panelists: TBD
Coffee Break Break
Workshop Synthesis
Cross-sector takeaways from both days
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Startup Lightning Pitches
Early-stage founders building in space robotics, autonomy, and situational awareness take the stage for rapid-fire pitches — in front of investors, agency program leads, industry primes, and university tech-transfer offices, all in one room.
The ION. Houston's innovation hub.
Address
Houston, TX 77002
The ION anchors Houston's innovation corridor in Midtown — a short walk from the METRORail Ensemble/HCC station, with easy access from I-69 and I-45. A fitting venue for an event built around industry, research, and mission.
Badge pickup and both days of programming take place inside The ION's main event space.
Convened by four institutions on one crew.
Supporting ISPAI 27.
Sponsor logos will appear here as partnerships are confirmed.
Put your organization in front of the industry–academia–government space AI community in Houston.
Become a sponsorReserve your seat at ISPAI 27.
Two days in Houston with the companies, labs, and agencies building physical AI for space. Request an invitation to join.