Brown Space Horizons

Space Horizons is a symposium held at Brown University to provide an open forum to discuss desirable innovations in space that appear not to be on anyone’s agenda. The conference assesses a wide variety of innovations, exploring their desirability, feasibility, and the next steps needed to begin making progress toward these advanced concepts.

For 2026, we are exploring the feasibility of tailoring the space experience to be attractive to the layperson seeking a unique experience—whether in sport, teaching, meditation and yoga, or experimentation. This topic has already proven itself a strong magnet for both technical participants in the space sector and the general public, who comprise an important segment of the U.S. space support infrastructure. It adds to Space Horizons’ ongoing exploration of the conditions, consequences, and future direction of human activities beyond the confines of Earth. Space Horizons is oriented toward answering “over-the-horizon” questions in space science and technology about human values, institutions, and ethics as they might translate into the space environment, and how everyday life might migrate some of its capabilities to extraterrestrial settings.

The symposium aims to prioritize dialogue and discussion over formal presentation, bringing together bright minds from engineering, the sciences, policy, law, design, finance, the space economy, and the humanities. Discussions will be facilitated in small groups with a moderator to sustain engagement and critical questioning. By the end of the symposium, we hope attendees will leave with a clearer, more rounded understanding of how to live—not just survive—in space.

This year’s Space Horizons theme is Living the Good Life in Space. By building on philosophical traditions surrounding the human quest for growth, satisfaction, and enjoyment of being alive, the conference asks what life in space could look like: experiential, social, political, and cultural/spiritual. Topics include discussion of the built environment, access, governance, labor, self-realization and growth, wellness, culture, and the narratives that can help shape a future among the stars.

Join us!

Friday, May 1st – afternoon
Saturday, May 2nd – all day

Listen to and interact with experts from across the space community. Together we will explore what it could mean to live well in space—considering the built environment, governance, culture, wellness, work, and the experiences that could make life beyond Earth meaningful and fulfilling.

Register to attend at no cost on our website. We look forward to imagining—and shaping—the future of life in space together with you.