Wolff Speaks at National Space Society Conference ISDC 2025

Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of speaking at the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) 2025, hosted by the National Space Society. The ISDC is a gathering of some of the brightest minds in aerospace, policy, and industry, and it was both humbling and energizing to contribute to the conversation on humanity’s future in space.

The Panel Discussion

I was honored to participate as a panelist on [insert panel name: e.g., Funding Planetary Defense or Frontiers of Space Law], where we examined the policy, legal, and financial frameworks necessary to advance space exploration and safeguard humanity’s future beyond Earth.

The discussion brought together a diverse set of perspectives—from engineers and policymakers to entrepreneurs and legal experts—underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of space development. My focus centered on the intersection of law, governance, and finance, and how we can craft mechanisms that both empower innovation and protect long-term planetary interests.

Key Themes We Explored

1. Funding the Future We explored models for financing large-scale space initiatives, ranging from private capital to innovative public-private partnerships. I emphasized the importance of legal clarity and investment protections to ensure that capital can flow confidently into space ventures.

2. Regulation and Governance The panel tackled the evolving landscape of space law, particularly around resource utilization, orbital traffic management, and planetary defense. I argued that we need frameworks that balance national interests with global cooperation, ensuring that space remains a domain of shared opportunity.

3. Planetary Defense One of the most urgent topics was protecting Earth from asteroid threats such as 2024 YR4. Here, law and finance converge with science and engineering: we need governance and funding mechanisms that can mobilize resources quickly to protect our planet.

Why It Matters

Speaking at ISDC 2025 reinforced for me just how critical these conversations are at this moment in history. Space is no longer a distant aspiration—it is rapidly becoming a central arena for commerce, security, and human expansion. The decisions we make today about law, policy, and investment will define humanity’s trajectory for generations.

Looking Ahead

I left the conference inspired by the collaboration and urgency that defined our discussions. I am more committed than ever to advancing frameworks that enable bold space initiatives while ensuring they serve the common good.

The ISDC was a reminder that while space is vast, our window to act is narrow. Together, through thoughtful governance, creative financing, and visionary leadership, we can lay the foundation for a thriving multi-planetary future.