Space Workforce Forum

A structured listening session across the space ecosystem, workforce conditions, pipeline readiness, and the signals shaping the next two decades of U.S. space industry.

What Is the Space
Workforce Forum?

What We’re Here
to Understand

Where and
When

Reserve Your
Seat Now

Venue
Information

Thursday,
May 7, 2026

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

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Robert H. Smith
School of Business
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.
In-Person + Livestream

Office of
Space Commerce

Phase 1 · Listening Forum

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Livestream Access

What Is the Space Workforce Forum?

The Space Workforce Forum is a structured, facilitated listening event organized by the Office of Space Commerce (OSC), Policy, Advocacy & International Division (PAID), as part of the Commercial Space Policy & Industry Strategy programming.

Phase 1 is designed to establish a shared state of awareness across the space ecosystem by combining structured listening with curated workforce perspectives. This phase is intentionally accessible and inclusive, enabling broad situational understanding of workforce considerations shaping the space sector.

The forum will be conducted in-person at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, with a live stream option for broader ecosystem awareness. Remote participants may observe proceedings and submit questions through a moderated Q&A channel.
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No policy decisions or commitments will be made or implied during the forum. All inputs are aggregated and non-attributable. What you share here doesn’t stop here – forum outputs will directly inform policy development, publishable workforce intelligence artifacts, NAICS classification input, and active ISO standards development initiatives. The Office of Space Commerce is committed to using this intelligence to identify opportunities to streamline regulation, reduce barriers, and advance a policy environment where U.S. commercial space can compete and innovate without unnecessary friction.

Space Workforce – Scope
Individuals directly or indirectly enabling the full lifecycle of civil and commercial space missions within U.S.-based entities.

Includes
→ Core operators
→ Enabling infrastructure
→ Multi-use technical talent
→ Certified pipeline participants

Excludes
→ General STEM without mission linkage
→ Unrelated aerospace activity

What We’re Here to Understand

Four objective themes guide listening sessions.
All inputs inform situational awareness, not policy prescriptions.

OBJECTIVE 01

Shared Definitions & Scope

Develop a shared, operational definition of the space workforce that clarifies scope, lifecycle coverage, and boundary conditions.

OBJECTIVE 02

Cross-Sector Perception Mapping

Document how workforce constraints are described across industry, academia, workforce organizations, and associations.

OBJECTIVE 03

Existing Programs Inventory

Inventory current workforce programs, partnerships, and pipeline efforts to understand coverage, alignment, and fragmentation.

OBJECTIVE 04

Gap & Uncertainty Identification

Distinguish validated workforce gaps from perception-based concerns and identify areas requiring additional data or engagement.
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May 7, 2026 · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

University of Maryland
Robert H. Smith School of Business,
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington, D.C. 20004

The event schedule will be released soon.

TIME

SESSION

FOCUS

PRE-EVENT & REGISTRATION

8:00 – 8:30 AM

Registration & Check-In

Name tags, info folders, breakout group assignments

OPENING 8:30 – 9:20 AM

8:30 – 8:45 AM

Welcome &
Opening Remarks

OSC Leadership — housekeeping, livestream rules, non-attributable posture set

8:45 – 9:05 AM

Opening Keynote

U.S. Space Economy Overview — Carissa Christensen, BryceTech

9:05 – 9:20 AM

Forum Framing

Purpose, scope, guardrails & policy context: Theresa Quitto-Dickerson, OSC

CYCLE 1 – Workforce Pipeline & Supply 9:20 – 10:55 AM

9:20 – 9:40 AM

Panel Discussion

NASA · DOL · EDA · U.S. Census Bureau · Academia

9:40 – 10:40 AM

Breakout Groups × 6

Workforce availability · Skills alignment · Regional gaps · Employer-education partnerships · Immigration · Retention

10:40 – 10:55 AM

Signal Read-Back

Facilitators return to plenary — no attribution, no advocacy

10:55 – 11:05 AM Break – Refreshments Hosted by AIAA

ACADEMIC CYCLE – Anchored by University of Maryland 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM

11:05 – 11:15 AM

Provost Remarks

State of Play: Space Education Framing — UMD Provost

11:15 – 11:55 AM

Academic Panel
& Breakouts

Space education ecosystems · Institutional capacity · Credential alignment · Research-to-workforce translation

11:55 AM – 12:05 PM

Signal Read-Back

Academic cycle signal aggregation

AIAA KEYNOTE & NETWORKING LUNCH 12:05 – 1:05 PM | Sponsored by AIAA

12:05 – 12:20 PM

AIAA Keynote

Industry Perspective on Space Workforce & Commercial Ecosystem — Clay Mowry, CEO, AIAA

12:20 – 1:05 PM

Networking Lunch

Panera Bread, sponsored by AIAA — Smith School Dining Area

CYCLE 2 – Commercial Ecosystem, Emerging Technology & Roles 1:05 – 2:40 PM

1:05 – 1:25 PM

Panel Discussion

AI workforce impacts · NAICS/ISO alignment · Credentialing gaps · Industry-led training models

1:25 – 2:25 PM

Breakout Groups × 6

AI/automation displacement · Credentialing barriers · NAICS/SOC gaps · Emerging roles · Clearance friction · Cross-sector transfer

2:25 – 2:40 PM

Signal Read-Back

Cycle 2 signal aggregation

2:40 – 2:50 PM Afternoon Break – Refreshments Hosted by AIAA

CYCLE 3 — Signal vs. Pipeline: Reimagining Workforce Ecosystems 2:50 – 4:20 PM

2:50 – 3:10 PM

Panel Discussion

Translation gaps · Training & apprenticeship pace · Compensation for system gaps · Cross-sector reimagination

3:10 – 4:10 PM

Breakout Groups × 6

Training gap root causes · Apprenticeship viability · Compensation friction · Clearance inequities · Sector constraints · Future signal mapping

4:10 – 4:20 PM

Signal Read-Back

Cross-cycle pattern framing begins — unresolved tensions surfaced

4:20 – 4:30 PM Break – Refreshments Hosted by AIAA

SIGNAL SYNTHESIS & CLOSE 4:30 – 5:00 PM

4:30 – 4:55 PM

Signal Synthesis
& Reflection

Facilitator-led cross-cycle aggregation · Alignment & divergence · Leadership-ready themes — Led by Theresa Quitto-Dickerson, OSC

4:55 – 5:00 PM

Close & Next Steps

Post-forum synthesis process · Non-binding posture reinforced

OPEN NETWORKING 5:00 – 5:30 PM

5:00 – 5:30 PM

Ecosystem Connector

Smith School Atrium/Lobby – unguided, self-organized (optional for all attendees)

Forum operates under a non-attributable, non-binding posture. OSC serves as neutral convener only.
Questions: theresa@quittodickerson.space | Office of Space Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce / NOAA

Reserve Your Seat

In-person space is limited. Virtual/livestream access is open to all. Pre-registration required for both formats.

In-Person
Registration

Attend the Space Workforce Forum in person at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Capacity is limited, register early
to secure your seat.

Lunch and refreshments provided
Full access to plenary and breakout sessions
Valid photo ID required for entry
ADA accommodations
available on request

Virtual /
Livestream Access

Observe plenary sessions in real time via Zoom. A moderated Q&A channel allows virtual participants to submit questions during plenary programming.

Breakout sessions are in-person only.

Plenary sessions only – no breakout access
Q&A through moderated channel
Access link sent 48 hours before event
Virtual registration required

Zoom Access Coming Soon

Event Posture
& Guidelines

The Space Workforce Forum is a structured listening event, not a policy forum, advocacy session, or debate. Understanding the event posture before you register ensures the right expectations on all sides.

No advocacy, solutioning, or debate
All inputs aggregated and non-attributable
Attendance does not imply policy endorsement
Media credentialing separate from registration
Questions: Theresa.Quitto-Dickerson@noaa.gov

View FAQs

04 · Logistics & Access

Venue & Practical Information

Venue

Robert H. Smith
School of Business 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C.
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Getting There

Metro: Federal Triangle (Orange/Silver/Blue) – 2-min walk
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial (Green/Yellow) – 5-min walk

Limited street parking ·
Nearby garage options available

Accessibility

Fully ADA accessible venue. To request accommodations, indicate during registration or contact jcrocker@umd.edu

Submit requests at least 10 business days before the event.

Meals & Refreshments

Lunch provided for in-person attendees and generously sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Morning and afternoon refreshments during breaks.

Dietary accommodation requests accepted at registration.

Event Posture

Structured listening forum. No advocacy, solutioning, or debate.
All inputs aggregated and non-attributable. Participation does not imply endorsement of any policy position.
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Contact & Questions

Policy, Advocacy &
International Division
Office of Space Commerce
Space.Commerce@noaa.gov

Media inquiries:
Space.Commerce@noaa.gov
email header “Media Request: [Your organization]“
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05 · Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers

Everything you need to know about the Space Workforce Forum and OSC’s commercial space workforce listening program.

What is the Space Workforce Forum?

Who should attend?

The forum is open to representatives from across the U.S. space ecosystem — commercial industry, academic institutions, workforce development organizations, industry associations, and relevant federal agencies.

In-person capacity is limited. Virtual observation via livestream is open to all registered participants.

What happens to what participants share?

All inputs are aggregated and non-attributable. The post-forum synthesis report reflects themes and signal patterns across the ecosystem without identifying individual speakers or organizations.

This posture is intentional and maintained throughout all forum outputs. Participation does not imply endorsement of any policy position.

Is this forum affiliated with a rulemaking, regulation, or policy decision?

No. This is a listening and learning event. No policy decisions, recommendations, or commitments will be made or implied during the forum.

Phase 1 is a situational awareness exercise — not a policy development, formal comment, or stakeholder alignment event. Any subsequent phases will be announced separately through official channels.

Is there a cost to attend?

There is no registration fee for either in-person or virtual attendance. Lunch and refreshments are provided for confirmed in-person attendees at no charge.

When does registration close?

Registration closes when in-person capacity is reached or on April 30, 2026, whichever comes first. Virtual registration remains open through May 6, 2026.

What identification is required for entry?

Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all in-person attendees. Registered attendees will receive security and check-in instructions approximately 72 hours before the event.

Can I transfer my registration to a colleague?

Registration transfers may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Contact email@noaa.gov at least five business days before the event with the original registrant’s name and the substitute attendee’s full information.

How are breakout sessions structured?

Breakout sessions are small, facilitated group discussions organized intentionally across sectors. Each session is guided by standardized prompts aligned to the forum’s workforce theme areas.

Sessions are designed as guided listening environments — not working groups, panels, or workshops. Facilitators draw out observations and patterns from subject matter experts without steering toward solutions or generating recommendations.

Participants rotate through multiple session cycles throughout the day, allowing for cross-theme engagement and layered insight development. All inputs are captured in a standardized format to support post-forum synthesis.

What outputs will be produced from this forum?

Phase 1 outputs include a non-attributable signal synthesis report capturing thematic patterns from structured listening sessions, a summary of perceived gaps and divergences, and a curated set of open questions surfaced during the event.

A post-forum synthesis webinar is also planned. Outputs will be posted to space.commerce.gov and linked from this page

How do I register?

In-person registration is available via the official Smartsheet Gov form linked in the Register section of this page. Virtual registration for livestream access will be added once Zoom procurement is finalized.

In-person seats are limited — register early. Subscribe to updates below for capacity alerts.

Will there be future forums or listening sessions?

Phase 2 design is contingent on Phase 1 outputs and leadership review. If OSC determines a subsequent phase of engagement is warranted, it will be announced through official channels.

Subscribe to the mailing list on this page to receive updates as they are available.

Which sessions are available via livestream?

Livestream coverage includes all plenary sessions: opening and welcome, workforce landscape framing, partner presentations, the Space Hub Leaders Panel, signal synthesis, and closing.

The three structured listening breakout sessions are in-person only and will not be streamed or recorded.

Can virtual attendees ask questions?

Virtual attendees may submit questions during plenary sessions through a moderated Q&A channel. A designated moderator routes appropriate questions to speakers.

Virtual inputs are not included in structured listening synthesis, which is limited to in-room participation only.

When will the Zoom link be available?

The Zoom link is pending procurement approval. Once finalized, it will be posted in the registration section of this page and distributed to all registered virtual attendees no later than 48 hours before the event.

Are media and press permitted to attend?

Media inquiries should be directed to the OSC Communications Office. Press credentialing, if applicable, is managed separately from general registration.

Recording of structured listening breakout sessions is not permitted under any circumstances.

Privacy Act Statement & Public Burden Statement

Updated 3/25/2026

Space Workforce Forum

Space Workforce Forum

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Robert H. Smith School of Business 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, D.C.

Office of Space Commerce

What Is the Space Workforce Forum?

What We’re Here to Understand

May 7, 2026 · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

Reserve Your Seat

In-Person Registration

Virtual / Livestream Access

Event Posture & Guidelines

Venue & Practical Information

Venue

Getting There

Accessibility

Meals & Refreshments

Event Posture

Contact & Questions

Questions & Answers

Thursday,
May 7, 2026

Robert H. Smith
School of Business
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C.

Office of
Space Commerce

In-Person
Registration

Virtual /
Livestream Access

Event Posture
& Guidelines