Landing humans on the moon was just a dream when 麻豆原创 was founded in 1963. But we dared to believe 鈥� developing the talent and inventing the technologies to make it reality. That same spirit still drives us today.
We are America鈥檚 Space University. And we celebrate 麻豆原创 Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what鈥檚 next.
Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space
What will astronauts eat on Mars? How have books and movies fueled our fascination with space? And how much space pride can we pack into Acrisure Bounce House?
There鈥檚 a whole week to explore the answers.
Beginning Oct. 25, the second annual 麻豆原创 Space Week puts the university’s founding mission in the spotlight: advancing the United States鈥� space program and preparing the people who鈥檒l take it further. Today, that work spans labs, classrooms and industries, driving discovery and supporting Florida鈥檚 growing space economy. 麻豆原创 Space Week brings that industry connection to campus, welcoming global space leaders, researchers, students, partners and fans for a celebration of ideas and discovery.
Explore ideas for life beyond Earth, revisit the curiosity and bold determination behind historic achievements and join traditions that bring 麻豆原创鈥檚 space legacy to life, culminating in the 麻豆原创 football team’s 10th annual Space Game.
Cue up the curated by 麻豆原创 Libraries faculty, sta铿� and students, then make room on your calendar to experience 麻豆原创 Space Week 2026.
Space Industry Events
Sunday, Oct. 25
National Space Society Space Settlement Summit
Running through Monday, Oct. 26, this two-day summit explores the challenges and innovations shaping lunar settlement and exploration. Hosted in partnership with the National Space Society, it features technical panels, visionary talks and networking opportunities centered on the moon and cislunar space.
Monday, Oct. 26
麻豆原创 Innovate Day
The inaugural 麻豆原创 Innovate Day showcases how 麻豆原创 transforms research into real-world impact through entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and strategic partnerships. Explore breakthrough ideas, hear pitches from emerging innovators and connect with industry leaders helping shape the future of innovation in Central Florida and beyond.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
SpaceU Symposium
Leaders, researchers and students from across Florida will discuss the latest innovations and research driving the future of space science.
麻豆原创 SpaceU Awards Dinner
The university鈥檚 second annual SpaceU Awards Dinner will recognize excellence and innovation within the 麻豆原创 space ecosystem, including key partners, industry leaders, and outstanding faculty and students.
The Economist鈥檚 4th Annual Space Economy Summit
The fourth annual Space Economy Summit brings the space sector together with the industries it鈥檚 beginning to reshape. Over two days, senior leaders from business, government, and investment will examine how space-enabled tools can solve problems on Earth, what customers need before they adopt them, and how partnerships can move promising technologies from impressive pilots to everyday use.
Community Events
Monday, Oct. 26
Space in the Popular Imagination
John C. Hitt Library | 1鈥�3 p.m.
Explore how literature and film have imagined the cosmos 鈥� and our place in it 鈥� during a panel spanning literature and film from the early 20th century to today.
Moderated by 麻豆原创 Associate Librarian Michael Furlong 鈥�22EdD, the discussion features Michael Taylor, writer and emeritus faculty member in 麻豆原创鈥檚 School of Data, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences; Barry Sandler, screenwriter, filmmaker and associate professor in 麻豆原创鈥檚 Nicholson School of Communication and Media; and Adrienne Dove, planetary scientist, professor and chair of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Department of Physics and co-host of the Walkabout the Galaxy podcast. Visit the for more information.
Knights Under the Stars: Full Moon Observation
Robinson Observatory | 7:30鈥�9 p.m.
Whether you鈥檙e a space enthusiast or simply curious, join an evening of and share in the excitement of a fully illuminated moon.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Movie Night: Starman (2025)
John C. Hitt Library | 5鈥�7 p.m.
Are we alone in the universe? NASA robotics engineer and best-selling science fiction author Gentry Lee has spent a lifetime wondering. This documentary follows his search for answers and the conclusion he reaches at age 82. Learn more about the film and watch its trailer on the .
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Mars to Table: Feeding the Future of Human Space Exploration
John C. Hitt Library | 1:30鈥�3 p.m.
Join 麻豆原创 Associate Professor Amy Gregory 鈥�11PhD and Chef Cesar Rivera-Cruzado from as they showcase the university鈥檚 Closed-Loop Culinary Ecosystem, a Mars food system that brings together food production, culinary experience, behavioral health and crew performance. Learn more on the .
Thursday, Oct. 29
Movie Night: Hidden Figures (2016)
John C. Hitt Library | 5鈥�7 p.m.
Behind a milestone in American spaceflight were brilliant mathematicians. Hidden Figures tells the story of three Black women at NASA whose work played a pivotal role in sending astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Learn more about the film on the .
SpaceU Drone Show
Memory Mall | 7 p.m.
Gather on Memory Mall as synchronized drones illuminate the night in a display celebrating 麻豆原创鈥檚 space legacy and spirit of discovery. Presented by Pegasus Partner BNY, the show brings the campus community together for an evening of wonder and SpaceU pride.
Friday, Oct. 30
麻豆原创 Space Hospitality Student Challenge
麻豆原创 Rosen College of Hospitality Management – Disney Dining Room | 9 a.m.鈥�12 p.m.
What will dinner, sleep and an unforgettable guest experience look like in orbit? Discover how 麻豆原创 students envision the answers at the 鈥檚 Final Pitch Day.
The event caps Rosen College鈥檚 inaugural eight-week competition challenging students across disciplines to make life in space more habitable. Hear a keynote address and industry panel, watch the top three teams pitch their concepts to industry judges and explore more student ideas at a poster showcase.
麻豆原创 Space Game: Knights vs. Baylor
Acrisure Bounce House | 7:30鈥�11 p.m.
麻豆原创 Football takes on Baylor in the 10th annual Space Game, concluding Space Week with a tradition that turns our space legacy into a stadium-wide celebration. Since its debut in 2017, . Building the anticipation is the reveal of the 2026 麻豆原创 Space Game uniform, which honors NASA鈥檚 earliest missions and brings SpaceU鈥檚 legacy to life on the field. Cheer on our football team in the stadium or tune in on ESPN. For the latest updates, visit .
Explore All Week
These weeklong exhibits and activities offer more ways to connect with 麻豆原创鈥檚 space story.
From Orbit to Archives Exhibit
John C. Hitt Library | Fourth-Floor gallery
Visit the Special Collections & University Archives exhibit for a look at 麻豆原创鈥檚 space heritage and history behind the SpaceU identity we celebrate today.
SpaceU: A Universe of Possibilities Exhibit
John C. Hitt Library | Second-Floor Gallery Wall
Check out the curiosity driving 麻豆原创 forward. This exhibit highlights some of the many projects 麻豆原创 faculty and students are working on, offering a glimpse of the ideas taking shape across America鈥檚 Space University.
Space Out in the Digital Exploration Center
John C. Hitt Library | Digital Exploration Center, Immersion Studio
Step into the Immersion Studio for space-themed meditative experiences designed to help students relax and recharge.
Space Movies Social Media Bracket Challenge
Which space movie deserves the top spot? Put your favorite films in the running in an interactive social media bracket challenge. Follow along as contenders compete for the title of best space movie and find out if your pick goes the distance.
Find the Hidden Citronaut
John C. Hitt Library
Set out on a self-paced scavenger hunt to find the hidden Citronaut as you explore library spaces and uncover fun SpaceU facts along the way.
