July 21–23 event at Rice University unites NASA leaders, astronauts, scientists, innovators, and space executives on the next era of lunar and Mars exploration
Artemis II gave a new generation the experience of watching humans travel to the Moon. Now we have to turn that renewed sense of possibility into a clear and responsible path forward.”— Dr. Tiffany Vora, President and Board Member of Explore MarsHOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, July 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Just three months after Artemis II transported astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, space community leaders will assemble in Houston to map out the next steps. Explore Mars, Inc. is organizing the 2026 Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit, referred to as H2M2, from July 21–23 at Rice University’s BioScience Research Collaborative. For its first time in Houston, the Summit will situate the national dialogue on lunar and Mars exploration right at the doorstep of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a premier global hub for human spaceflight.
The three-day agenda marks a major shift in space exploration. With Artemis II showing that humanity can once again journey beyond low-Earth orbit, H2M2 2026 will zero in on the systems, collaborations, and choices needed to establish a lasting lunar presence, prepare for crewed Mars missions, and adapt technologies crafted for harsh environments into benefits for people back on Earth.
“This is an extraordinary moment for human exploration,” said Dr. Tiffany Vora, the new President and Board Member of Explore Mars. “Artemis II gave a new generation the experience of watching humans travel to the Moon. Now we have to turn that renewed sense of possibility into a clear and responsible path forward. This Summit brings together the people working on the systems, science, health, food, culture, and partnerships that will allow humans to flourish beyond Earth while creating practical advances that strengthen life here at home.”
The 2026 program will explore insights and prospects arising from Artemis II, the construction of a lunar base, the Moon’s role in enabling Mars missions, the expansion of commercial space infrastructure, nuclear propulsion and power, logistics for the Moon and Mars, public-private collaborations, and the trajectory of NASA science.
Considerable focus will also be placed on the human aspects of deep-space exploration. Sessions will cover astronaut physical and mental well-being, autonomous medical systems, human-spaceflight analogs, food and nutrition, biological adaptation, humanities, and culture. A dedicated Mars Innovation Workshop will tackle the problem of feeding a thriving Mars community, delving into food production, biomanufacturing, personalized nutrition, circular resource systems, and resilient supply chains that have Earth-based applications.
“Reaching the Moon again was a historic achievement, and the challenge now is sustained execution,” said Chris Carberry, CEO and co-founder of Explore Mars. “Government, industry, universities, researchers, and international partners must align around an achievable architecture for the Moon and Mars. Houston is the right place for this conversation because it combines the legacy of human spaceflight with the commercial, scientific, and technical capabilities needed to build its future.”
The conference will showcase leading figures in human spaceflight, science, and industry, such as:
• Vanessa Wyche, Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center
• Dr. Greg Bonnen, member of the Texas House of Representatives and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee[cc1.1]
• Kristin Houston, President of Space Propulsion and Power Systems at L3Harris
• Dr. James Green, former NASA Chief Scientist and former Director of Planetary Science
• Michael Gold, President of Redwire Space
• Dr. Leroy Chiao, former NASA astronaut and CEO of OneOrbit
• Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, NASA Astronaut, retired; Director | Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation
• Dr. Scott Parazynski, physician and former NASA astronaut
• Eddie Seyffert, Blue Origin| Director of Civil Space
• Dr. Shawna Pandya, physician and suborbital astronaut with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences
• Chris Coker, Intuitive Machines, Vice President, Civil Space Programs
• Aymette Medina, Blue Origin astronaut, NS-32
• Dr. Bruce Jakosky, founding principal investigator of NASA’s MAVEN Mars mission
• Ed Van Cise, acting Director of NASA’s Moon Base Mission and Systems Interoperability Office
• Audrey Morris-Eckart, Systems Architect in NASA’s Office of the Chief Architect
• Richard French, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy for Space Systems at Rocket Lab
• Humphrey “Hoppy” Price, Chief Engineer for NASA’s robotic Mars Exploration Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Michelle Frieling, Director of Human Health and Performance at NASA Johnson Space Center
• Dr. Grace Douglas, Lead Scientist for Advanced Food Technology at NASA Johnson Space Center
• Zack Rosenthal, Manager of Space Food Systems at Vast Space
• Dr. Scott Solomon, Rice University evolutionary biologist and author of Becoming Martian
• Dr. David Alexander, Director of the Rice Space Institute
• Dr. Robert Ambrose, Associate Director of the Texas A&M Space Institute
• Dr. Greg Autry, Senior Advisor for Space at the U.S. Department of State
• Megan E. Ortiz, Senior Director of External Relations at Axiom Space
The program will additionally include representatives from L3Harris, Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, Rocket Lab, MDA, Interlune, Volta Space Technologies, Advanced Space, Qwaltec, Axiom, Firefly Aerospace, Voyager Technologies, Amentum, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Astrobotic, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health, and The Planetary Society. Texas Representative Brian Babin will deliver a welcome video to attendees. Further discussions will explore whether the United States must be the first to send astronauts back to the lunar surface, Texas’s role in the expanding commercial aerospace sector, and how space exploration can foster international cooperation and hope.
In-person registration remains open for the July 21–23 Summit at the BioScience Research Collaborative at Rice University in Houston. H2M2 2026 will also be accessible via an online broadcast, welcoming space professionals, students, educators, and the general public worldwide. The 2025 Summit at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., drew nearly 11,000 online participants. Registration, the full agenda, speaker details, and online viewing options are available on the Explore Mars summit website at www.exploremars.org/summit/.
About Explore Mars, Inc.
Explore Mars, Inc. is a global nonprofit organization that brings together innovators, pathfinders, and policymakers to help establish a sustainable human presence on Mars. Through conferences, research, education, policy engagement, and collaborative programs, Explore Mars advances the scientific, technical, commercial, and human capabilities required to explore the Moon and Mars while promoting a peaceful, prosperous, and responsible future in space.
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