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November 12-13, 2026 · Mojave Air and Space Port
CAL-SPACE
California Space, Propulsion and Aerospace Conference and Expo
Where California builds, tests, launches and scales the future.
cal-space.com2Days
FullTwo-Day Program*Program subject to change based on government participation
1Statewide Industry Platform
California's Aerospace Frontier
A mission-driven conference and expo built around the full aerospace value chain.
CAL-SPACE brings together commercial space, propulsion, advanced aviation, defense innovation, manufacturing, research, capital and workforce partners at one of the world's most iconic flight-test environments.
Hosted at Mojave Air and Space Port, the event connects strategic plenaries, an industry expo, technology demonstrations, supplier relationships, workforce development and regional economic-growth programming.
Why CAL-SPACE
From runway to orbit, California's capabilities converge here.
Test & Demonstration
Engage the organizations advancing aerospace testing, launch, propulsion, space systems and advanced manufacturing.
Mission Alignment
Bridge commercial-space innovation, government requirements, defense missions and national-security priorities.
Workforce & Growth
Strengthen talent pipelines, supplier readiness, commercialization and California business expansion.
Program Agenda
CAL-SPACE 2026 · November 12-13 · Mojave Air and Space Port
*Program subject to change based on government participation.
Day One
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Registration, Continental Breakfast
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks
CAL-SPACE opens by honoring the legacy, leadership and future of the Mojave Air & Space Port and the broader Aerospace Valley. Emcee Kari Crutcher will welcome attendees and introduce Stu Witt, former CEO and General Manager of Mojave Air & Space Port and namesake of the Stuart O. Witt Event Center. Witt will reflect on Mojave's pioneering role in aerospace, flight test and commercial spaceflight and collaboration across aerospace, defense, space, research and innovation.
Mojave Today: Building the Next Era of Aerospace and Space Innovation
Dr. David G. Smith opens CAL-SPACE with a forward-looking perspective on the region's role in shaping the future of aerospace, space, defense and advanced technology. Drawing on Mojave's legacy of flight test, experimentation and commercial spaceflight, he will outline opportunities to expand regional capability, attract investment, strengthen partnerships and connect industry, government, research institutions and workforce development around shared mission needs and a more connected innovation ecosystem.
Dr. David G. Smith, CEO and General Manager, Mojave Air and Space Port
Exhibition Area Open
Opening Plenary: CEO Roundtable - An Unfiltered View from Industry
A candid CEO Roundtable brings together senior aerospace, space, defense and technology executives to discuss the challenges shaping the industry and the changes needed to strengthen government-private sector collaboration. The conversation will examine acquisition timelines, regulatory requirements, access to capital, workforce constraints, supply-chain resilience, infrastructure, testing and demonstration opportunities, and the difficulty of moving promising technologies from development into operational use.
Desert, Sea & Space: California's Multi-Domain Test Enterprise
California's aerospace advantage includes an extraordinary concentration of test ranges, controlled airspace, runways, research centers, naval test assets and space-launch infrastructure from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific coast. This session examines how government and commercial users can improve access, interoperability, instrumentation, data sharing and coordination across air, land, sea, space, cyber and electromagnetic environments to accelerate the transition from laboratory development to realistic operational testing.
Hosted Luncheon & Networking
Space Force, Launch & Range Modernization: Scaling Access to Space
Higher launch cadence, responsive national-security missions and increasingly complex payloads require modern ranges, resilient ground systems, streamlined integration and closer coordination between government and commercial launch providers. This session examines range automation, digital infrastructure, resilient communications, autonomous flight safety, payload processing, shared-use facilities, launch-site capacity and scheduling flexibility, as well as how commercial capabilities can be integrated more effectively into national-security missions and assured access to space.
Propulsion, Hypersonics & Flight Test: From Test Stand to Flight
Advanced propulsion and high-speed flight depend on an integrated test enterprise that can move technology rapidly from ground testing to operationally relevant flight demonstration. The discussion will examine rocket and high-speed propulsion, energetic materials, thermal management, instrumentation, telemetry, range access, qualification, safety and test-to-learn processes, while exploring how Mojave, Edwards Air Force Base, NASA Armstrong and China Lake support development and demonstration of advanced aerospace systems.
Networking Break
Commercial Space Infrastructure: Ground, Orbit & Reentry
Commercial, civil and national-security missions increasingly depend on an integrated space transportation and operations ecosystem extending well beyond launch. This session examines ground networks, telemetry, command-and-control systems, communications architectures, orbital infrastructure and reentry capabilities, along with spacecraft maneuverability, autonomous operations and orbital logistics. The discussion will consider how resilient communications, tracking, space-domain awareness, orbital platforms, on-orbit servicing and reliable return from space can function as a scalable infrastructure layer.
Cocktail Reception and Buffet
Day Two
Friday, November 13, 2026
Continental Breakfast Networking
Opening Plenary - Layered Homeland Defense: The Space Layer
Protecting the homeland increasingly depends on space capabilities that provide persistent awareness, secure communications and decision advantage across a rapidly evolving threat environment. This opening plenary examines missile warning and tracking, targeting support, space-based ISR, assured PNT, resilient SATCOM, data fusion and timely command-and-control, with emphasis on how those capabilities integrate with air, maritime, missile-defense and cyber operations to create a coordinated, layered defense architecture.
Defense & Space Industrial Base: Critical Space Components & Spacecraft Manufacturing
National-security and commercial space missions depend on a specialized industrial base capable of producing and qualifying complex systems at greater speed and scale. This session examines spacecraft electronics, propulsion, sensors, optical systems, radiation-hardened components, power, communications hardware, structures and payloads, together with modular architectures, digital engineering, automation, additive manufacturing, robotics and advanced materials. Discussion will also address supply-chain vulnerabilities, component qualification, trusted suppliers, testing capacity and repeatable spacecraft production.
Business Growth & Deal Flow: Financing the Next Aerospace Economy
Aerospace companies face unusual capital demands created by long technical cycles, hardware-intensive development, specialized facilities, regulated testing and government customers. This session brings together investors, market analysts, corporate partners and commercialization organizations to examine how companies can finance growth, secure strategic customers and build durable pathways to scale. The discussion will also consider the conditions that can make California an attractive place for aerospace businesses to expand and grow.
Hosted Luncheon & Networking
National Security Space Architecture: Resilience, Proliferation & Mission Integration
A resilient national-security space enterprise requires an integrated architecture connecting sensors, spacecraft, ground systems, networks and users across multiple mission domains. This session examines proliferated architectures, mesh networks, crosslinks, distributed ground segments, modular system design and high-capacity data transport, as well as the challenges of integrating government and commercial capabilities through common standards, interoperability, open architectures, interface requirements, cybersecurity, data movement and mission integration.
Talent, Workforce & the Next Aerospace Generation
California's aerospace advantage depends on engineers, technicians, machinists, pilots, software developers and operators who can work across defense, commercial space and advanced manufacturing. This session focuses on the talent pipelines required for sustained growth, including apprenticeships, veteran transition, technical education, university partnerships, security clearances and housing. The discussion will explore how regional institutions and employers can prepare, attract and retain the next generation of aerospace workers.
Networking Break
Autonomous Spacecraft & On-Orbit AI: The Next Generation of Mission Operations
Artificial intelligence is beginning to change how spacecraft sense, navigate, communicate, coordinate and make decisions without continuous direction from the ground. As constellations grow larger and missions operate farther from Earth, greater autonomy will be required to manage spacecraft health, process data at the edge, respond to changing conditions and coordinate distributed systems. This session examines how on-orbit AI can reduce dependence on traditional ground-control architectures and enable more autonomous mission operations.
Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Event Architecture
Four integrated layers. One high-value industry experience.
1
Leadership Conference
Keynotes, plenaries and moderated sessions on growth, innovation and national security.
2
Industry Expo
Aerospace, defense, space, propulsion, manufacturing, university and workforce exhibits.
3
Test, Infrastructure & Mission Capability
Program discussions linking ranges, launch, manufacturing, propulsion, autonomy and space operations.
4
Business Growth & Deal Flow
Industry relationships, investment dialogue, recruiting and commercialization opportunities.
Who Should Attend CAL-SPACE
Built for the people who design, build, test, fund, procure and field aerospace capability.
CAL-SPACE convenes decision-makers and emerging talent from across California's aerospace, space, propulsion, aviation, defense and advanced-manufacturing ecosystem.
Aerospace & Defense Companies
Prime contractors, OEMs, defense-technology firms, advanced-aviation companies, program leaders and business-development teams.
Commercial Space & Propulsion Teams
Launch providers, satellite companies, engine developers, hypersonic programs, flight-test organizations and space startups.
Manufacturers, Suppliers & Small Businesses
Component makers, composites specialists, additive manufacturers, robotics firms, software providers and nontraditional suppliers.
Government, Military & Mission Partners
Government and military leaders, installation representatives, agencies, procurement professionals and mission stakeholders.
Research, Education & Workforce
Research institutions, universities, community colleges, faculty, students, apprentices, veterans and workforce-development organizations.
Investors & Regional Growth Leaders
Venture investors, economic-development organizations, site selectors, commercialization partners, infrastructure leaders and regional stakeholders.
Whether you are scaling a company, qualifying as a supplier, sourcing technology, recruiting talent or advancing a mission, CAL-SPACE is designed to create practical connections.
Register to AttendExhibit & Sponsor at CAL-SPACE 2026
Put your organization at the center of California's aerospace and space future.
CAL-SPACE brings together leaders from government, defense, aerospace, space, propulsion, research, academia and emerging technology. Sponsoring or exhibiting creates a visible platform for business development, strategic partnerships, technology awareness, recruiting and engagement across the aerospace and space ecosystem.
Why Participate
Be seen. Make connections. Build partnerships.
- Increase visibility with aerospace, space, defense, government, research and technology stakeholders.
- Showcase capabilities and solutions to organizations seeking technologies, suppliers and partners.
- Build relationships across government, commercial industry, academia and the research community.
- Support business development through conference sessions, networking and exhibition activity.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Elevate your brand. Influence the future.
| Benefit | Presenting | Platinum | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking Opportunity (Opening or Closing) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Premier Logo Placement on All Materials | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Logo on Website with Link | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recognition in Press Releases & Media | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Social Media Recognition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| On-Site Signage Recognition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complimentary Full Registrations | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Exhibitor Booth Space | 10' × 20' | 10' × 20' | 10' × 10' | 10' × 10' | 10' × 10' |
| Featured in Event Program | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Private Meeting Room Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Recognition in Keynote Session | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Custom sponsorship packages for educational institutions and NGOs are available upon request.
Exhibitor Opportunities
Showcase your solutions, connect with decision-makers and generate new business.
10' × 10' Booth$3,000
- 10' × 10' exhibit space
- 2 chairs
- 6' table
- Electricity
- 2 full registrations
10' × 20' Booth$5,750
- 10' × 20' exhibit space
- 4 chairs
- 8' table
- Electricity
- 4 full registrations
Sponsorship Prospectus
Download and share the complete one-page prospectus.
Use the prospectus for internal review, sponsorship planning or outreach to organizations considering a CAL-SPACE exhibit or sponsorship presence.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Inquiries
Matt Thomas · Matt.thomas@cal-space.com
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About the Venue
Mojave Air and Space Port
Mojave, California — an internationally recognized center for experimental aviation, flight testing, aerospace development and commercial space.
Mojave Air and Space Port Website
Join CAL-SPACE 2026
Registration is open.
Reserve your place at the California Space, Propulsion and Aerospace Conference and Expo, November 12-13, 2026 at Mojave Air and Space Port.