Signature Series

Space Investors Forum 2026

July 21, 2026

Amazon, Arlington, VA
Unclassified

TITLE SPONSOR

mdp

Space is no longer the “final frontier”—it is a strategic and economic imperative. Bipartisan Government support for investment in national security space is at an all-time high, driven by escalating threats from China, Russia, and others. Ensuring U.S. leadership in space has never been more urgent.

Private capital—from venture investors, private equity, and space entrepreneurs—is fueling unprecedented innovation in space systems and services. Recognizing this shift, the Department of Defense is increasingly focused on leveraging private investment and commercial capabilities as a force multiplier for national security.

The 2026 NSSA Space Investors Forum convenes this entire ecosystem: national security leaders, pioneering space ventures, dealmakers, and private capital. This unique forum creates a space for candid discussion, alignment of priorities, and the formation of new partnerships.

Join other leaders shaping the next era of U.S. space leadership—where public priorities and private capital converge to define the future of space.

This event is closed to the press.

Date: July 21, 2026

Location: Amazon HQ2 | 510 14th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

Registration:

In-Person: Members - $499 | Non-Members - $599 | Government - Complimentary

Virtual: Members - $249 | Non-Members - $299 | Government - Complimentary

Featured Speakers

Esper

The Honorable Mark T. Esper

27th Secretary of Defense, 23rd Secretary of the Army
Confirmed
Trimailo

Col. Tim Trimailo

Director, Commercial Space Office, SSC 
Confirmed
carter

Josh Carter

Associate Administrator, Office of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration
Confirmed
Muend

Pete Muend

Director, Commercial Systems Program Office, NRO
Confirmed
Winston

Winston Beauchamp

VP of Intelligence Systems, Boeing 
Confirmed
Cruden

Andrea Cruden

Managing Director, Strategy for Space, Anduril
Confirmed
Davis

Mark (Chili) J. Davis

Principal, Product Management, Amazon Leo Government
Confirmed
DiPippa

Damian DiPippa

CEO, Auria Space
Confirmed
dodd

Joe Dodd

Chairman of the Board, NSSA
Confirmed
Fossel

Pieter Fossel

CEO and Co-Founder, Hydrosat
Confirmed
Gaddam

Pragna Gaddam

Associate, Stellar Ventures
Confirmed
Alyssa

Alyssa Goessler

Vice President, AE Industrial Partners
Confirmed
Grant

Brendan Grant

Vice President, Space Systems Space, Cyber and Intelligence Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Confirmed
Kelly

Kevin Kelly

Chairman and CEO, Arcfield
Confirmed
kirkland

Jonathan Kirkland

Managing Director, Baird
Confirmed
Brandon Levitan

Brandon Levitan

Managing Director and Co-Head of Technology & Government, Madison Dearborn Partners
Confirmed
norton-headshot-mdp_11-15_0145

Matt Norton

CEO, Watch Point Capital
Confirmed
saydah

Greg Saydah

Director, Baird
Confirmed
young

Thomas Young

Partner, Enlightenment Capital 
Confirmed
patrick

Patrick Zeitouni

CSO, Hawkeye 360
Confirmed

Agenda

1:15pm-1:45pm

Registration/Check-In

1:45pm-2:00pm

Welcome Remarks

  • Steve Jacques, President, NSSA
  • Joe Dodd, Chairman of the Board, NSSA
  • Mark (Chili) J. Davis, Principal, Product Management, Amazon Leo Government

2:00pm-2:30pm

M&A Landscape

  • Jonathan Kirkland, Managing Director, Baird

2:30pm-3:15pm

Government Investment & Disruptive Technologies

  • Josh Carter, Associate Administrator, Office of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration
  • JR Gibbens, Former Chief Investment Officer, Office of Strategic Capital
  • William Taylor, Director, NASA’s Office of Strategic Capital
  • Moderator: Matt Norton, CEO, Watch Point Capital

3:15pm-4:00pm

Panel: Private Equity Perspectives

  • Pragna Gaddam, Associate, Stellar Ventures
  • Alyssa Goessler, Vice President, AE Industrial Partners
  • Brandon Levitan, Managing Director and Co-Head of Technology & Government, Madison Dearborn Partners
  • Thomas Young, Partner, Enlightenment Capital
  • Moderator: Greg Saydah, Director, Baird

4:00pm-4:15pm

Networking Break

4:15pm-5:00pm

Panel: Industry Perspectives

  • Winston Beauchamp, VP of Intelligence Systems, Boeing
  • Andrea Cruden, Managing Director, Strategy for Space, Anduril
  • Damian DiPippa, CEO, Auria Space
  • Brendan Grant, Vice President, Space Systems, Space, Cyber and Intelligence Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
  • Moderator: Kevin Kelly, Chairman and CEO, Arcfield

5:00pm-5:45pm

Panel: Government & Commercial Perspectives

  • Col Tim Trimailo, Director, Commercial Space Office, SSC
  • Pete Muend, Director, Commercial Systems Program Office, NRO
  • Pieter Fossel, CEO and Co-Founder, Hydrosat
  • Patrick Zeitouni, CSO, HawkEye 360
  • Moderator: Joe Dodd, Chairman of the Board, NSSA

5:45pm-6:15pm

Featured Speaker

  • The Honorable Mark T. Esper, 27th Secretary of Defense, 23rd Secretary of the Army

6:15pm-6:30pm

Closing Remarks

6:30pm-8:00pm

Reception

 

*Agenda subject to change

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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amazon-leo
arcfield_one
baird
LeoLabs
redwire_one
stellar-one