Glenn Space Technology Symposium 2026

The Glenn Space Technology Symposium, a key event of Ohio Space Week, is NASA Glenn Research Center's annual industry-academic exchange focusing on aerospace and space propulsion technology. It is a principal venue where the program office, technical staff, and external collaborators come together each year to discuss the center's flagship work and emerging directions. Topics include Exploration Architecture, the Artemis program, Space Traffic Management, Space Nuclear Power, and Navigation and Communications. The program covers in-space chemical and electric propulsion (including Hall-effect, ion, and nuclear electric technologies), cryogenic fluid management and propellant transfer for Artemis-class missions, surface and orbital nuclear power, advanced communications architectures (optical and quantum links), materials for lunar dust, radiation, and high-temperature environments, and Glenn's growing role in Mars-forward systems, sustainable aviation, and high-speed flight research. Sessions feature plenary keynotes from NASA HQ, the Space Technology Mission Directorate, and major industry partners, alongside technical tracks with contributed papers from primes, small businesses, universities, and national laboratories. Dedicated tracks for small business innovation, university partnerships, and integration with NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate roadmap are included. Networking sessions, a poster reception, and guided lab tours of Glenn's test stands and the Neil Armstrong Test Facility (Plum Brook Station) complete the program.