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About the Event

The Association of Commercial Space Professionals and the Nuclear Energy Institute invite you to join us for a Nuclear Launch Seminar in Washington D.C. The Seminar is a one-day training event hosted at NEI’s Washington, DC facilities on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Designed for professionals at the intersection of space and nuclear sectors, the seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory, technical, and safety frameworks governing the launch of nuclear power sources. Sessions will explore jurisdictional processes, launch licensing, insurance and indemnification, safety analysis methodologies, and more.

 

 

Agenda

7:30 AM
Registration Opens
8:00 – 8:05 AM
Introductions
ACSP & NEI
8:05 – 8:30 AM
Opening Remarks: National Objectives & how
the Administration will Push Space Nuclear Forward
Dr. Aaron Miles -  White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Why Nuclear? Why now? Overview of the State of Technology and Geopolitical Landscape
Dr. Bhavya Lal - RAND School of Public Policy
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Setting the U.S. Nuclear Space Launch Landscape: Jurisdiction, Process, and Hurdles
Alex Gilbert - Zeno Power
10:00 – 10:15 AM
BREAK
10:15 – 11:15 AM
Overview of Launch Regulations Under FAA Part 450
with Focus on Nuclear Elements
Greg Meholic - The Aerospace Corporation
11:15 AM – 12: 00 PM
Supply Chain Considerations: Reactor Design, Fuel, and More
Moderator: Bailey Reichelt -  Aegis Space Law
Panelists: Frank Putzu - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory / Will Madsen - Antares
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
LUNCH
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Debate: Insurance & Indemnification for Launch
Moderator: Brian Weeden - The Aerospace Corporation
Debate Panelists: Harsh Desai - Zeno Power & Stewart Forbes - Hogan Lovells
2:00 – 3:00 PM
From the Gate to Orbit: Infrastructure and CONOPS Considerations for Nuclear
Moderator: Andrew Nelson -  RS&H
Panelists: Matt Meader - Blue Origin / Joe Dant - Kennedy Space Center / Jodine Jansen Vehec - BWXT / David Schleeper - RS&H
3:00 – 3:15 PM
BREAK
3:15 – 4:00 PM
Launch Safety Analysis Methodologies &
Consequences of Reactor Launch
Dan Clayton, Sandia National Labs
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Government Perspective
Moderator: Dr. Bhavya Lal - RAND School of Public Policy
Panelists: Dr. Mark Glissman - U.S. Department of Defense / Steph Earle - FAA / Lindsay Kaldon - NASA
5:00 PM
Wrap-up; Closing remarks
ACSP & NEI

The conversation doesn't stop at 5:00! Stay for a networking happy hour immediately following the seminar, sponsored by Zeno Power.

Thank you to our sponsors!

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Interested in becoming an event sponsor? See below for information and reach out to jane@acsp.space for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?

We’re here to help. Reach out to the ACSP team for additional details about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or registration.