AI at Lightspeed: Rewiring the Space Frontier from Autonomy to Interplanetary Economics - A Power-Packed Session by Leading Space & AI Researchers
Join us on December 05th for a high-impact, two-hour session where two world-renowned leaders—from cutting-edge AI innovation and advanced aerospace engineering—reveal how Artificial Intelligence is redefining the entire space ecosystem from Earth orbit to Mars and beyond.
This visionary talk explores how AI is no longer just a supportive tool—it is now the core mission enabler, powering:
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Autonomous spacecraft that navigate, diagnose faults, and self-correct on Mars and lunar missions
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Orbital edge intelligence enabling real-time decision-making aboard LEO constellations
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Predictive maintenance & habitat resilience for long-duration lunar bases
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AI-driven security across contested orbits and national defense missions
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The rise of orbital and lunar commerce, accelerating a sustainable interplanetary economy
You’ll see exclusive case studies from NASA, ESA, DARPA, and global commercial space ventures, showcasing how AI allows spacecraft and space infrastructure to think, adapt, and operate independently of human oversight.
Expect a dynamic, future-shaping session, packed with real mission examples, breakthrough research, and insights into how AI is catalyzing the next decade of interplanetary operations. The talk will conclude with a 15-minute interactive Q&A to spark ideas that you can bring into your own work or research.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- Fairfield Inn & Suites Houston Memorial City Area
- Houston, Texas
- United States 77043
- Building: 11080 Katy Freeway
- Contact Event Host
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Chair : harishpadmanaban@ieee.org
Vice-Chair: thangaraj.it@ieee.org
- Starts 13 November 2025 02:46 AM UTC
- Ends 06 December 2025 05:55 AM UTC
- Admission fee ?
Speakers
Dr. Sanjoy Paul
Biography:
Dr. Sanjoy Paul is a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, serving as the Associate Vice President of Technology Incubation & Commercialization at Rice University and Executive Director of Rice Nexus. He is also the Co-founder of Houston AI and teaches graduate computer science at Rice University, in addition to serving as Adjunct Faculty at the Baylor College of Medicine. A former senior executive at Accenture, Wipro, Infosys, Bell Labs, and AT&T, he has led groundbreaking work in Generative AI, Robotics, 5G, IoT, Digital Twins, and computer vision , building platforms that have transformed industries and saved enterprises hundreds of millions of dollars. His contributions also include pioneering medical AI solutions and advancing AI technologies for leading space companies.
An accomplished inventor and entrepreneur, Dr. Paul holds 95 U.S. patents, has founded startups across AI, EdTech, AdTech, and supply chain, and mentors innovators through Rice Nexus. He is a Fellow of IEEE and IEE, author of three books, and recipient of prestigious honors such as the IIT Kharagpur Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award, and recognition in The Wall Street Journal as a 2025 Distinguished Leader. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, and an MBA from the Wharton School.
Dr. Martin C. Heyne
Biography:
Dr. Martin C. Heyne is a seasoned aerospace executive and strategist with more than 25 years
of experience in guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C); spacecraft sensor modeling;
navigation algorithm development; and autonomous systems.
Before entering the commercial sector, Dr. Heyne served at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL) and Johnson Space Center (JSC), where he developed advanced measurement
processing and estimation techniques for interplanetary missions and spacecraft entry, descent,
and landing.
Today, Dr. Heyne is at the forefront of shaping the development and deployment of commercial
space infrastructure. He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas
and an MBA from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
An expert in data analysis and artificial intelligence for space applications, Dr. Heyne’s work
spans spacecraft guidance, navigation, and lunar mission operations. His mission is to bridge
the gap between legacy NASA research and development and the emerging commercial space
economy—accelerating innovation and sustainable growth in cislunar space.
Agenda
- 5pm to 6pm Excom Meeting
- 6pm to 8pm Speaker event followed by Dinner.
- 8pm to 8.15pm Conclusion & Awards for the speakers.