New This Year: ConnecTables

We’re piloting something new at SATELLITE x GovMilSpace 2026: ConnecTables — small, focused roundtable discussions designed for candid conversation and real peer exchange.

Each ConnecTable brings together a small group of attendees around a timely topic for 30 minutes of interactive discussion. No slides or panels. You’ll get practical dialogue with the people shaping the industry.

All ConnecTables will take place in the Exhibit Hall restaurant, creating a casual space on the show floor for deeper conversation.

Because the tables are intentionally small, space is extremely limited. Attendees will need to RSVP in the SATShow Week mobile app, and we recommend arriving early to secure a seat.

ConnecTables and Facilitators

Tuesday, March 24

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM

Women in Aerospace: What’s Worked, What’s Stuck, What’s Scaled
Facilitated by: Sam Sargent (Unibap US), Nana Gordon (Maverick Space Systems), & Jen Scholten (Portal Space Systems)

Fixing the Academia-to-Industry Talent Gap
Facilitated by: Emma Louden (Slooh)

If Sub-Centimeter Debris Is the Biggest Threat in Orbit… What Can We Do About It?
Facilitated by: Vanessa Mahoney (Wanderstar Marketing) & Dr. James New (Odin Space)

Reaching the Next Generation: How the Space Industry Can Educate and Inspire New Audiences
Facilitated by: Brendan Swanik (Voyager Technologies & Host of Chasing Space Podcast)

Wednesday, March 25

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM

Big Org vs. Startup: Navigating Career Growth in the Space Industry
Facilitated by: Josh Ingersoll (Amazon Kuiper Government)

Things That Make a Great Engineer That Don’t Make a Great CEO
Facilitated by: Jeff Thornburg (Portal Space Systems)

Credibility Over Flash: What Actually Builds Trust in Space Markets?
Facilitated by: Mike McClare (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) & Vanessa Mahoney (Wanderstar Marketing)

Why You’re Not Landing Customers (And How Marketing Might Be the Missing Link)
Facilitated by: Jen Scholten (Portal Space Systems)

Launch Capability & Capacity in the U.S. — What Will It Take to Meet Demand?
Facilitated by: Karina Perez Molina (CCIA)

Seats are limited. RSVP by finding the session in the schedule on the SATShow Week mobile app now!

We’re excited to pilot this new format and see where these conversations lead.