ISPAI 27 — In-Space Physical AI Workshop · Houston · Feb 17–18, 2027
ISPAI 27 — In-Space Physical Artificial Intelligence Workshop poster: astronauts with NASA, Rice, Purdue and Vanderbilt insignia standing with a humanoid robot on the lunar surface. February 17–18, 2027, The ION at Rice University, Houston, TX.
Industry Academia Government

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.

DatesFebruary 17–18, 2027
VenueThe ION · Houston, TX
FormatKeynotes · Panels · Pitches
Convened byRice · Purdue · Vanderbilt · NASA
Reserve your seat View the agenda
Days
Hrs
Min
ONE MISSION
Why ISPAI is different

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.

Industry
Find your next customer, partner, or hire.Hear mission needs first-hand, scout lab-ready research, and pitch on the Day-1 lightning stage.
Academia
See where your research meets the mission.Pressure-test ideas against operators, find funding-aligned problems, and build tech-transfer relationships.
Government
Shape the ecosystem solving your shortfalls.Signal priorities early and survey emerging capability across startups, primes, and university labs.
Session Themes

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.

Topic 1

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.

Session LeadShirley Dyke, Purdue University
Topic 2

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.

Session LeadsVaibhav Unhelkar, Rice University · Juan Carlos Lopez, Microsoft
Topic 3

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.

Session LeadTBD
Topic 4

Defending the Homeland

How space-based AI systems support national security, threat detection, and resilient defense infrastructure — where mission need meets commercial capability.

Session LeadsMD S. “Doc” Rana, Capt, USAF · Andrew E. Coats, Lockheed Martin
Program

Two days, wall to wall.

8:00 AM
Registration & Badge Pickup
The ION, main lobby
8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
Welcome from the organizing institutions
9:00 AM
Day 1 KeynoteKeynote
Speaker to be announced
9:45 AM
Coffee BreakBreak
10:15 AM
Topic 1 — Lunar Infrastructure
Lead: Shirley Dyke, Purdue University
11:15 AM
Topic 2 — Autonomy, Robotics, and Onboard AI
Leads: Vaibhav Unhelkar, Rice University · Juan Carlos Lopez, Microsoft
12:15 PM
Lunch BreakBreak
1:15 PM
Startup Lightning PitchesStartups
Early-stage founders pitch to investors, agencies, and industry
2:15 PM
Topic 3 — Navigation, Tracking, and Space Situational Awareness
Lead: TBD
3:15 PM
Coffee BreakBreak
3:45 PM
Topic 4 — Defending the Homeland
Leads: MD S. “Doc” Rana, Capt, USAF · Andrew E. Coats, Lockheed Martin
4:45 PM
Day 1 Closing Remarks
5:30 PM
Evening ReceptionReception
Connect with speakers, founders, faculty, and agency leaders
Day 1 · 1:15 PM

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.

Apply to pitch
Venue

The ION. Houston's innovation hub.

Address
4201 Main Street
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.

Get directions
Organizing Institutions

Convened by four institutions on one crew.

RICE
Rice University
PURDUE
Purdue University
VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt University
NASA
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Sponsors

Supporting ISPAI 27.

Six tiers — from a $500 startup/academic rate to a $10,000 exclusive Presenting Sponsorship — plus à la carte add-ons for organizations seeking a specific, visible moment. Sponsor logos will appear here as partnerships are confirmed.

Presenting Sponsor
$10,000
1 slot · exclusive
  • “Presented by” naming rights
  • Co-introduces opening keynote (5 min)
  • Leads one themed panel of choice
  • Premier logo on all signage, program cover, and site hero
  • Invitation to VIP dinner
  • Dedicated press mention
Platinum
$7,500
Up to 2 slots
  • 10–15 min spotlight/fireside stage slot
  • Guaranteed panelist seat (topic preference)
  • Top-tier logo placement
  • Premium exhibit table
  • Recognized in opening/closing remarks
Gold
$5,000
Up to 4 slots
  • Guaranteed panelist seat (assigned to fit theme)
  • Featured logo placement
  • Exhibit table
  • Verbal recognition from stage
Silver
$2,500
Up to 6 slots
  • Priority (non-guaranteed) consideration for a panel seat
  • Standard logo placement
  • Shared exhibit/demo space
Bronze
$1,000
Open
  • Logo listing on website and program
  • Name recognition in program materials
Startup / Academic / Nonprofit Partner
$500
Open · eligibility-based
  • Reduced rate for startups, university departments, national labs, and nonprofits
  • Logo listing
  • Eligible to apply for a juried Startup Lightning Pitch slot
Full Benefits Matrix
BenefitPresentingPlatinumGoldSilverBronzeStartup/Acad.
Stage speaking slotKeynote co-intro + 5 min10–15 min
Guaranteed panelist seat✓ (choice of theme)✓ (preference)✓ (assigned)Priority only
Panel/theme leadership inputLight
Logo placementPremierTop-tierFeaturedStandardListingListing
Exhibit / demo tablePrime locationPremiumStandardShared
Lightning Pitch eligibilityn/an/an/an/an/a✓ (juried)
VIP dinner invitation
Dedicated press mention
À La Carte Add-On Sponsorships

These stack on top of any paid tier or can be purchased standalone by an organization seeking specific, visible recognition rather than a full package.

Evening Reception — Presenting$5,000
Exclusive; naming rights on Day-1 reception, branded signage/cocktail, logo on invites.
Day 1 or Day 2 Lunch$3,500 each
Branded signage, verbal thank-you, logo on menu cards.
Day 1 or Day 2 Breakfast$1,500 each
Branded signage, logo on menu cards.
Lanyard & Badge Sponsor$2,000
Exclusive; logo on every attendee badge/lanyard.
Startup Lightning Pitch Track — Presenting$4,000
Exclusive; branding of pitch competition, judge seat, may fund prize purse.
Poster / Demo Session Sponsor$1,500
Branding of poster/demo hall, signage, program listing.
Program Guide Ad — Full / Half Page$600 / $350
Full-color ad in the printed program.
ISPAI 27

In-Space Physical Artificial Intelligence Workshop · An industry–academia–government event · February 17–18, 2027 · The ION, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

Register on Luma
Organized by Rice University · Purdue University · Vanderbilt University · NASA
© 2027 ISPAI Workshop