The U.S. Enduring Human Presence in Orbit: Reflecting on the Future and Past 25 Years

A reception will follow the conclusion of the event.

For 25 years, since the first crew arrived at the International Space Station on November 2, 2000, the United States has had astronauts in low Earth orbit. Please join the CSIS Aerospace Security Project on Tuesday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. for a conversation about this milestone and future of U.S. crewed activities in low Earth orbit.

The discussion will feature Jim Bridenstine, Managing Partner at The Artemis Group, NASA’s 13th Administrator, and former U.S. Congressman (OK-01), and Dr. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and now Vice President of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. The conversation will be moderated by Clayton Swope, Deputy Director of the Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow with the Defense and Security Department at CSIS. Kari Bingen, Director of the Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow with the Defense and Security Department at CSIS, will offer opening remarks.

Together, they will reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past quarter-century of human spaceflight, examine the future of U.S. crewed operations in low Earth orbit, and consider how commercial partnerships and international competition—including China’s space station program—are shaping the next era of orbital activity.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.