George Mason University Joins spaceNEXT as Lead Academic Partner
George Mason brings its expanding space science, satellite engineering, CubeSat development, and frontier research portfolio to the inaugural global convening of Connected DMV’s Potomac Center for the New Space Economy
“George Mason is the ideal academic anchor for spaceNEXT. Their leadership in space science, satellite engineering, and frontier research perfectly aligns with our mission to build Greater Washington into the global capital of the new space economy. This partnership brings world-class expertise, talent, and innovation to the main stage, and we couldn’t be prouder to shape this inaugural event together.”
Connected DMV has announced that George Mason University, one of the nation’s most innovative and fastest-growing public research universities, will serve as the Lead Academic Partner for spaceNEXT, the inaugural global convening focused on the commercialization of space and a flagship program of Connected DMV’s Potomac Center for the New Space Economy.
spaceNEXT will take place February 18–20, 2026, at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia, and bring together global leaders across industry, government, academia, and the investment community to accelerate what’s next in the space-for-space and space-for-Earth economy.
George Mason’s collaborative and creative research strengths align directly with the new space economy
Advancing space innovation that serves life on Earth—through Earth observation, remote sensing, planetary exploration, and space weather research—is a core focus of George Mason University’s Grand Challenge Initiative, which aligns research, education, and partnerships around solving problems that shape the future of humanity. The university’s growing strengths in robotics and autonomy, artificial intelligence, quantum science, integrated sensing and communication, and sustainable cyberinfrastructure—anchored by Fuse at Mason Square—support next-generation capabilities such as autonomous spacecraft operations, in-space servicing, on-orbit manufacturing, and resilient space infrastructure that connect scientific discovery to real-world impact.
“Our future in space is a key component to solving humanity’s grand challenge of creating a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future. George Mason is forging strategic partnerships and driving novel research across disciplinary boundaries to help shape and secure this bold future, recognizing that it will reach far beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, and we are proud to partner with Connected DMV to further these ambitious goals.”
As part of its powerful portfolio, the university is leading the $19.5 million NASA Landolt Space Mission, which will place an artificial “star” into orbit to calibrate telescopes and significantly advance the precision of space-based observations—unlocking new discovery pathways and supporting commercial applications across astronomy, imaging, quantum materials, space weather, and navigation.
How this partnership advances the mission of the Potomac Center for the New Space Economy
spaceNEXT is a core program of the Potomac Center for the New Space Economy, Connected DMV’s initiative to position Greater Washington as the beating heart of the global space economy. The center leverages the region’s unparalleled mix of assets—federal space agencies, aerospace giants, venture investment, world-class universities, national security infrastructure, and diplomatic reach—to build the partnerships, standards, workforce, and innovation pathways that will shape humanity’s next giant leap.
With George Mason at the helm of the academic program for spaceNEXT, the center strengthens its ability to:
Showcase regional leadership in orbital manufacturing, microgravity research, and logistics
Bridge federal space policy with the commercial and investment momentum driving new markets
Catalyze workforce growth through academic pipelines deeply tied to industry demand
Accelerate commercialization of frontier technologies across satellites, AI, autonomy, Earth intelligence, and in-space services
Unite the region’s public, private, academic, and policy talent under one global platform
George Mason’s expertise and programs embody the center’s mission: turn bold ideas into market-shaping realities and ensure that Greater Washington captures a decisive share of the growing space economy—projected to top $1 trillion by 2040.
A launchpad for the next space economy
With George Mason University as Lead Academic Partner, the inaugural spaceNEXT convening will demonstrate how universities, industry, and government can work together to accelerate the space-for-space and space-for-Earth economy—advancing national security, scientific breakthroughs, economic growth, and human progress on a global scale.
Together, Connected DMV and George Mason University will showcase how the Greater Washington region is not just participating in the future of space—it’s leading it.