NASA to Participate in ASCEND Conference, Brief Media on Tech Demo

The flexible thermal protection system contains two outer surface layers made of ceramic fiber fabric, several layers of insulator, and then a gas barrier that prevents hot gases from getting to directly to the inflatable structure. The inflatable structure is a high temperature capable, flexible structure that is inflated to provide the cone shape that the FTPS drapes over.

Credits: NASA/Greg Swanson

NASA leaders, including Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, will participate in the 2022 ASCEND conference, hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in Las Vegas from Monday, Oct. 24, through Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Agency speakers will deliver remarks and participate in panels highlighting various topics, including NASA's Moon to Mars exploration goals, the future of space technology, scientific advances, and more. The full program for the conference is available online.

Many events will be available online to registered conference attendees.

Among the activities NASA is participating in are:

Monday, Oct. 24(All times are Pacific)

8 a.m. Keynote address from Melroy on Going Back to the Moon by Design, followed a panel on Partnering for Innovation in Cislunar Space. Panelists include:

• Moderator: Ellen Ochoa, former NASA astronaut and former director of NASAs Johnson Space Center
• Jim Free, associate administrator, NASAs Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
• Sandra Connelly, deputy associate administrator, NASAs Science Mission Directorate
• Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno, director of staff, U.S. Space Force
• Todd Nygren, senior vice president, Engineering and Technology Group, The Aerospace Corporation
• Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer, SpaceX

12:45 p.m. Overview of NASAs Strategic Technology Framework. Panelists include:

• Moderator: Julie Van Kleeck, space domain Lead and ASCEND executive producer, AIAA
• Jim Reuter, associate administrator, NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
• Michelle Munk, acting chief architect, STMD

Tuesday, Oct. 25

7 a.m. Media briefing on NASAs Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) technology demonstration and other tech development for entry, descent, and landing. Participants include:

• Trudy Kortes, director of technology demonstrations, STMD
• Michelle Munk, acting chief architect, STMD
• Ashley Korzun, LOFTID aerodynamics database lead, NASA
• Neil Cheatwood, LOFTID principal investigator, NASA