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George Mason University

Space Day 2026

Register to attend George Mason Space Day 2026

Join us Saturday, September 26 for an afternoon filled with engaging lectures, hands-on STEM activities, planetarium shows, and tours of George Mason’s satellite dish. Whether you are a space enthusiast or simply curious about the cosmos, there’s something for everyone. 

Captain Hoot Gibson signing child's space suit.

Ever wondered what it’s like to live and work in space?

Hear a keynote address from Brigadier General Nick Hague, U.S. Space Force leader and NASA astronaut, who has completed three spaceflights, amassing 374 days in space performing operations aboard the International Space Station, including four spacewalks.

Brig. Gen. Nick Hague is the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Headquarters United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Join Us for Liftoff

Saturday, September 26, 2026
1 to 5 p.m. 
Johnson Center on George Mason's Fairfax Campus

Lectures and Lightening Talks

Hear engaging lectures and fast-paced lightning talks from experts at the forefront of aerospace and space discovery, featuring the latest breakthroughs shaping the future of exploration.

Keynote Speaker:

  • Brigadier General Nick Hague
    Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Headquarters United States Space Force

Mason Space Day Speakers:

  • Anamaria Berea, Associate Professor, Computational and Data Sciences, College of Science
  • Steve Dam, President and Founder of the Systems and Proposal Engineering Company (SPEC Innovations)
  • Hina Kazmi, Adjunct Faculty, Schar School of Policy and Government, College of Science
  • Eileen Kragie, Founder, Dark Sky Friends
  • Anne Ostermann, Dean of Libraries, George Mason University
  • Andrew Pace, GECO Fellow, University of Virginia
  • Tom Reinert, Board Member and Former President, DarkSky International
  • Caelus Rocketry
  • Laura Sauls, Assistant Professor, Global Affairs, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Michael Summers, Professor, Physics and Astronomy, College of Science
  • Samantha Thompson, Astronomy Curator Air & Space Museum

View full speaker bios. 

Space Day Activities

Planetarium Shows: Shows will start every 20 minute and last 15 minutes. During a planetarium show, you will watch a tour through space and learn about celestial objects as you pass by them. This show is not suggested for guests with sensitivity to flashing lights, dark environments, or enclosed spaces.

Radio Dish Tours: Tours start every 40 minutes and last 30 minutes. On the radio dish tour, you will get to see George Mason’s 30-foot satellite communications dish. 

Organizing Committee

Gabriele Belle, Committee Chair, College of Science
Rob Parks, Co-chair, College of Science
Tracy Mason, Co-chair, College of Science
Phillip Cunio, College of Engineering and Computing
S Falgiano, College of Science
Natasha Gilliam, College of Science
Hina Kazmi, Schar School of Policy and Government
Audrey Kelaher, College of Science
Ferah Munshi, College of Science
Laura Powers, College of Science
Steven Robeson, College of Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.