A New Space Age: High School Symposium

Space remains the final frontier, but is no longer the domain of just a few powerful nations. The rapid expansion of the space economy – driven by private companies, international partnerships, and emerging technologies – is reshaping our future beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated that the space economy accounted for $240.9 billion of total U.S. GDP in 2023, up from $131 billion in 2022. When the Space Foundation released The Space Report 2025, Q2 revealed that the global space economy reached an unprecedented $613 billion in 2024—reflecting strong 7.8% year-over-year growth. The World Economic Forum estimates the global space economy will total $1.8 trillion by 2035, almost tripling its 2023 value of $630 billion.

Governments and private industries are racing to develop space-based industries, from asteroid mining and lunar settlements to satellite mega-constellations and space tourism. Meanwhile, the growing presence of military assets in space and concerns over space debris raise urgent questions about sustainability, security, and governance.

Who gets to decide the rules in space?

Can we balance exploration and commercialization with ethical responsibility?

How do we prevent the militarization of space from escalating conflict on Earth?

What role will your generation play in shaping humanity’s future beyond our planet?

These are no longer problems for science fiction – they are real challenges being debated and decided today.

Learn from experts in space law, policy, and industry.

Discuss with peers how the next generation will navigate this new frontier.

Designed for high school students to engage with industry leaders on space threats, law, and emerging technologies. Join us for a day full of panelists, roundtable discussions, and an impressive keynote speaker by an astronaut.