Space and Missile Defense Symposium Highlights
The Space and Missile Defense Symposium is currently celebrating its 28th year at the von Braun Center, bringing together over 7,000 leaders from the military, government, and industry from across the globe.
This year’s event has sparked lively discussions, particularly around the Golden Dome concept, alongside a diverse lineup of presentations from US Space Command, US Northern Command, and other significant defense entities.
Being in Huntsville, a national hub for defense and technology, provides a fitting backdrop for the symposium.
Kristoffer Ison, president of Maximum Technology, emphasized that this event isn’t just a formal gathering; it’s a source of pride for the Rocket City community. He remarked, “This is a showcase for the city, the community, and places like Redstone Arsenal and the Marshall Space Flight Center. Coming together once a year allows us to present our work to the world and spotlight the contributions made here.”
Ison mentioned that for local companies, the SMD feels like a “family reunion,” but for many attendees, it may be their first time visiting Huntsville. He commented, “For most people, it’s really eye-opening to see what we have to offer and what’s being accomplished here.”
Local Capabilities on Display
The event also showcases various local capabilities, particularly those of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, which had a significant display highlighting its expertise in research, defense partnerships, and innovation. Christina Hendricks, Vice President of Strategic Communications at UAH, stated, “We’re committed to providing a variety of services and this is a chance to let others know about our work and collaborations in academia.”
The symposium features panel discussions, peer-reviewed research presentations, innovations in space and missile defense, along with exhibits from over 300 companies sharing insights about the Golden Dome.
Michael Thor, author of “Guardian: Space-Based Neutral Particle Beam – The Powerful Guardian of Peace,” expressed a desire to concentrate on the appropriate technical fields, despite the growing interest. He mentioned, “The ability to defend against missiles is crucial. General Saltzman recently highlighted the necessity for effective space control systems that incorporate capabilities and particle beam technology.”
Golden Dome Discussion and Industry Summit
Although the Golden Dome topic was absent from the Tuesday SMD Agenda, it has been rescheduled for a separate discussion during Thursday’s “Next Generation Missile Defense Industry Summit” at the Propst Arena. Scheduled for 1:30 PM, this event isn’t affiliated with the SMD Symposium, so attendees must register individually with the MDA to participate.
One exhibitor at SMD highlighted their Golden Dome Solutions, with Wayne CW Lau, CEO of Lau Superconductors, discussing their innovative use of superconductor coil guns. He described, “We harness solar energy to launch projectiles in space, avoiding issues like burning or explosions.” He added that the compact technology is about a meter in length, making it unique.
Lau expressed hope that President Trump would take notice of their advancements. With expectations surrounding US Space Command, it seems Huntsville could be the ideal setting for such announcements in the future.
