Space Force chief to keynote Spacepower Conference in Orlando

Gen. Douglas A. Schiess will headline the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference Dec. 8-10 in Orlando, giving Guardians, allies and industry leaders a chance to hear the service’s top uniformed leader on where the Space Force is headed. The event comes as the service expands and space takes a larger role in national security.

Why it matters: - Gen. Douglas A. Schiess will address a broad mix of Guardians, joint and allied partners, and industry leaders at a time when the Space Force is expanding its role in national security. - The keynote is positioned as a signal-setting moment for a service that now has more than 15,000 uniformed and civilian members. - Spacepower Conference will also surface priorities tied to artificial intelligence, space nuclear power, in-space servicing and refueling, and the Golden Dome mandate.

What happened: - The Space Force Association announced that Schiess will deliver a keynote at Spacepower Conference, or SPC26. - The conference runs Dec. 8-10, 2026, at the Hilton Orlando in Orlando, Florida. - The event theme is “The Decisive Edge.” - Schiess was sworn in Sept. 3, 2026, as the third Chief of Space Operations in Space Force history.

The details: - Schiess leads the Space Force’s active-duty and civilian workforce. - His remarks are expected to give attendees a view of the service’s current posture and future direction. - The keynote comes as Golden Dome for America gains momentum and recent operations highlight the centrality of spacepower to national security. - Schiess entered the Air Force through ROTC in 1992 and transferred to the U.S. Space Force in 2022. - He has commanded at the squadron, group, wing, joint component, and field command levels. - His prior assignments include leadership of the 21st Space Wing and the 45th Space Wing. - Schiess also served as the first commander of U.S. Space Forces-Space and as Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander for U.S. Space Command. - Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, with responsibility for policy covering global operations, sustainment, training, and readiness. - Schiess has deployed in support of operations from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. - SPC26 will feature five stages and include senior leader keynotes and first-hand operator debriefs. - The conference is in its fourth year. - SPC26 is scheduled to close out America’s 250th anniversary year. - Registration, hotel information, and program updates are available at attendspacepower.org.

Between the lines: - The conference programming suggests the Space Force Association is using SPC26 to frame space as both an operational domain and an investment theme. - Schiess’ appearance gives the event added weight because he can speak to doctrine, readiness, and force development from multiple command levels. - The inclusion of allied partners and industry reflects how the Space Force now depends on both coalition coordination and commercial capability.

What's next: - SPC26 will take place Dec. 8-10 in Orlando. - Attendees can expect remarks from Schiess and sessions built around future Space Force priorities and emerging technologies. - The Space Force Association is using the event to convene Guardians, warfighters, investors, and space talent around the next phase of U.S. space security.