Mars settlement and more: Global space leaders will tackle big ideas next week at ISDC 2025

By Samantha Mathewson

Space visionaries, scientists, entrepreneurs and students from around the world will gather in Florida next week for this year’s International Space Development Conference.

The conference — ISDC 2025 — will be held from June 19 to June 22 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Organized by the National Space Society (NSS), this year’s conference promises to be a pivotal gathering for those passionate about accelerating humanity’s future in space.

ISDC 2025 will explore cutting-edge innovations, ambitious missions and collaborative strategies that aim to make space settlement and exploration a reality. The theme for this year’s conference — “Together, Beyond!” — reflects collaboration across sectors and borders as humanity pushes further into the final frontier.You may like

Among the award recipients is Space.com editor-in-chief Tariq Malik, who will be receiving the NSS Space Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals who have helped open the space frontier.

“Tariq is one of a kind — truly an ace space reporter who gets it right every time without bias or an agenda,” Rod Pyle, editor-in-chief of the National Space Society’s quarterly print magazine Ad Astra, said in a statement announcing Malik as this year’s award recipient. “His passion for space is unmatched, and his expertise is as broad and deep as anyone I’ve met. Being in charge of a 24-hour specialty news outlet is no easy task, but he makes it seem so.”

ISDC 2025 speakers will tackle critical topics, including expanding global collaboration and access to space, developing spacefaring communities, space health, sustainability and the reality of settling on the moon, Mars and beyond. Sessions will also address the need for planetary defense strategies for protecting Earth against dangerous asteroids.

For more information, including registration details, pricing and a full list of speakers and scheduled events, visit the conference page online.