2025 Highlights

UCF Space Week Highlights

UCF welcomed global space leaders, researchers, students, partners and fans for a celebration of ideas, discovery and Florida’s growing space economy.

Our conversations were nothing short of cosmic.

Melissa Patton, Founder and Managing Partner of Patton Consulting Group

7 Flagship events in 5 days

1,200+ Global space leaders and VIPs

44,000+ Space Game attendees

Tiffany Hughes, UCF College of Business; John Buckwalter, Provost; Greg Autry, Associate Provost for Space Commercialization; and Zaheer Ali, Program Director of Space Commercialization and Strategy pose outdoors with UCF mascot Knightro dressed as an astronaut. — UCF leadership welcomed renowned researchers and industry changemakers to America’s Space University to help shape the future of off-earth exploration.

Kiko Dontchev seated in conversation during a fireside chat at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — SpaceX Vice President of Launch Kiko Dontchev (left) joined a fireside chat at *The Economist’s* Space Economy Summit.

Zaheer Ali and Sharon Hagle speaking on a panel at the NSS Space Settlement Conference in 2025. — SpaceKids Global Founder Sharon Hagle (right) speaking alongside UCF Program Director of Space Commercialization and Strategy Zaheer Ali (left) at the NSS Space Settlement Summit. .

Guests holding up phones to photograph a glowing Knightro created by a drone light show. — A drone show on UCF’s campus, held in partnership with UCF’s Student Government Association, was a captivating finish to the SpaceU Awards Dinner.

Kareem Ahmed seated on a panel discussing space policy and governance at the Economist Space Economy Summit. — UCF Professor Kareem Ahmed joined a Space Economy Summit panel on policy and governance shaping the future of space law.

Greg Autry seated on stage during a fireside chat at the Economist Space Economy Summit. — UCF Space Week welcomed thought leaders at the forefront of space exploration, including former NASA administrator Bill Nelson (center) and UCF Associate Provost for Space Commercialization and Strategy Greg Autry (left).

Panelists addressing students and researchers at the SpaceU Symposium. — Julie Brisset (Florida Space Institute, second from right), Nicky Fox (NASA, center) and Mike Miller (AXIONS Corporation, second from left) joined a panel on funding research in the new space economy during the SpaceU Symposium hosted by UCF’s Florida Space Institute.

UCF football players on the field in custom uniforms nodding to hypersonic travel and space propulsion research, with fans filling the stands during the 2025 Space Game. — UCF’s team took the field in custom uniforms nodding to the university’s expansive hypersonic travel and space propulsion research for the 9th annual football Space Game.

Robert Katz spoke during the NSS Space Settlement Summit, hosted at UCF. — World Innovation Network Founder Robert Katz (center) spoke during the NSS Space Settlement Summit.

Attendees seated at round tables in a large arena watching presentations on overhead screens at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — More than 460 attendees, including global space leaders, policymakers and astronauts, filled UCF’s Addition Financial Arena for The Economist’s third annual Space Economy Summit.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright presenting an award to planetary geologist and Associate Professor Kerri Donaldson-Hanna at the SpaceU Awards Dinner. — UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright (right) presents planetary geologist and Associate Professor Kerri Donaldson-Hanna (left) with an award at the SpaceU Awards Dinner for her research on lunar and Martian surfaces.

Guests seated at round banquet tables during the SpaceU Awards Dinner reception. — *The Economist*’s Space Economy Summit VIPs and UCF’s space community members gathered for an evening celebrating the researchers, students and partners advancing space exploration.

Aerial view of a packed football stadium lit up at night. — More than 44,000 fans filled Acrisure Bounce House for Mission IX, UCF’s Space Game against University of Houston.

Congressman Mike Haridopolos posing in UCF's Acrisure Bounce House during the 2025 Space Game. — U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (second from left) joined UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright (center) and other UCF leaders and guests on the field for Mission IX, UCF football’s Space Game against the University of Houston.

Phil Metzger delivering the closing keynote in front of a large moon graphic and the question Why is the Moon so important? — UCF planetary physicist and Research Professor Phil Metzger delivered The Economist’s Space Economy Summit’s closing keynote on the race for lunar resources.

Aerial view of a poster showcase during the 2025 SpaceU Symposium Showcase at UCF — Students and researchers connected during the Florida Space Institute’s SpaceU Symposium showcase, featuring research posters, student clubs and programs from UCF and other Florida research universities.

Panelists seated on stage in front of a large screen reading "Space Economy Summit," addressing a full arena audience at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — Panelists representing the U.S. Air Force Academy, KPMG, Holland & Knight and UCF discussed the impact of policy changes on space governance at *The Economist*’s Space Economy Summit.

Large audience seated in a UCF lecture hall. — Visionaries, researchers and future leaders attended the NSS Space Settlement Summit, exploring innovation in space science that will shape our multi-planetary future.

Bill Nelson standing on stage speaking at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — Former NASA administrator and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson took the stage at *The Economist*’s Space Economy Summit. (Photo courtesy of The Economist)

Five panelists posing together indoors at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — Panelists gathered at *The Economist*’s Space Economy Summit following a session on private and philanthropic capital’s role in space research funding. (Photo credit: The Economist)

Panelists seated on stage in conversation in front of a screen reading "Space Economy Summit," with an audience seated in the foreground. — More than 460 global space leaders gathered at Addition Financial Arena for *The Economist*’s third annual Space Economy Summit, where panelists took the stage over two days of sessions. (Photo credit: The Economist)

Four panelists seated on stage at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — *The Economist*’s Space Economy Summit panel explored the business case for research and medicine in microgravity. (Photo credit: The Economist)

Dan Goldin speaking at a podium in front of a screen reading "3rd annual Space Economy Summit" at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — Former NASA administrator Dan Goldin, who led the agency from 1992 to 2001, shared insights about building America’s critical supply chains and wealth opportunities. (Photo credit: The Economist)

Three speakers seated together on stage in conversation during a panel discussion at the Economist Space Economy Summit in 2025. — UCF Space Week brought together renowned leaders to discuss space’s impact on the global economy.

UCF Space Week Events

A Week of Space Innovation

Join space leaders, researchers and students for summits, showcases, recognition events and the UCF football team’s 10th annual Space Game.

Sunday, Oct. 25 and Monday, Oct. 26

National Space Society Space Settlement Summit

This two-day summit explores settlement and exploration challenges and innovations tied to the moon. The cis-lunar-focused dialogue includes technical panels, visionary talks and networking opportunities, hosted in partnership with the National Space Society.

Join the Space Settlement Discussion
Monday, Oct. 26

UCF Innovate Day

The inaugural UCF Innovate Day showcases how UCF transforms research into impact through entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and strategic partnerships. Explore breakthrough ideas, hear pitches from emerging innovators and connect with industry leaders helping shape the future innovation in Central Florida and beyond.
Tuesday, Oct. 27

SpaceU Symposium

Join leaders, researchers and students from across Florida to discuss the latest innovations and research driving the future of space science.

Explore the SpaceU Symposium
Tuesday, Oct. 27

UCF SpaceU Awards Dinner

The university’s second annual SpaceU Awards Dinner will recognize excellence and innovation within the UCF space ecosystem, including key partners, industry leaders, and outstanding faculty and students.
Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29

The Economist’s 4th Annual Space Economy Summit

The 4th annual Space Economy Summit is where the space sector will meet the industries it is beginning to reshape. Over two days senior leaders from business, government and investment will examine how space-enabled tools can solve problems on Earth, what customers need before they adopt them, and how partnerships can move promising technologies from impressive pilots to everyday use.

Launch into the Space Economy
Thursday, Oct. 29

SpaceU Drone Show

Look to the skies as SpaceU lights up the night for a dazzling drone show celebrating UCF’s legacy of reaching for the stars. Sponsored by BNY, the one-of-a-kind showcase invites the UCF community to watch as synchronized drones take flight in a captivating display of Knight pride, space exploration and discovery.
Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.

UCF Space Game: Knights vs. Baylor

Capping off UCF Space Week 2026, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of this annual tradition, which pays homage to UCF’s connections to the space program and unites fans around UCF’s identity as America’s Space University. The game will air on ESPN.

Featured SpaceU Voices

Meet the Experts Shaping What’s Next

UCF researchers and leaders are advancing planetary science, space medicine, commercialization and the technologies that make exploration possible.

Planetary Science

Daniel Britt

Planetary scientist exploring space regolith (dirt) as an extraterrestrial resource and for its impact to scientific hardware.
Space Health

Melanie Coathup

UCF biomedical researcher developing advanced materials to protect human health in space.
Space Economy

Greg Autry

Renowned expert in the business of space commercialization and leader in space policy.
Aerospace Medicine

Emmanuel Urquieta

Physician-scientist specializing in aerospace medicine and human health in extreme environments.
Lunar Resources

Phil Metzger

Planetary scientist and expert in lunar exploration, regolith mechanics and space resources.
Lunar Environments

Adrienne Dove

Planetary scientist specializing in lunar dust, surface environments and exploration systems.

1,200+Global space leaders and VIPs expected to fill, panels and receptions.

7Flagship events will connect executives, researchers, students, press and fans.

44,000Fans packed the Space Game for one of UCF’s most visible traditions.

60+Years of NASA partnership power UCF space research, talent.

No. 1Supplier of talent to the nation’s aerospace and defense industries (Aviation Week).

Top 10Most innovative public university in the nation.

1,200+Global space leaders and VIPs expected to fill, panels and receptions.

7Flagship events will connect executives, researchers, students, press and fans.

44,000Fans packed the Space Game for one of UCF’s most visible traditions.

60+Years of NASA partnership power UCF space research, technology and talent.

No. 1Supplier of talent to the nation’s aerospace and defense industries.

Top 10Most innovative public university in the nation.

Partner With UCF Space Week

Help Launch the Next Era of Discovery

Sponsorship opportunities offer your organization visibility, talent engagement, and thought leadership across a week of summits, showcases, recognition events, and the UCF Space Game.

Contact Cody Gill, Executive Director of Partnerships
724-854-2089|cody.gill@ucf.edu

America’s Space University

Launched in the Space Age, Charging Into the Future

Born from the challenge of the Space Race, UCF was created to transform imagination into innovation and prepare people to launch humanity beyond its limits.

Today, our curiosity still drives discovery, bold questions shape the future and exploration advances life on Earth. UCF Space Week brings global leaders, researchers, students, partners and Knight Nation together to explore the breakthroughs shaping space science and the fast-growing space economy.

For more than 60 years, UCF has partnered with NASA and industry to power space exploration, develop new technologies and prepare the talent behind the next era of discovery.

Learn Why Discovery Starts Here

Explore recent stories about the research, partnerships and people moving space science forward at UCF.