The Top 10 Space Talks & Activities You Can’t Miss at SXSW 2025
From telescopes redefining the cosmos to space robotics, lunar living, and AI-powered astronomy, this year’s SXSW lineup is packed with mind-expanding sessions for astronomy lovers, sci-fi enthusiasts, and future space travelers.
We’ve scoured the schedule and picked 10 must-attend space talks and experiences you won’t want to miss at SXSW 2025—plus a bonus event that fuses space with the arts!
Whether you're a space industry professional, an aspiring astronaut, or just someone who loves looking up at the night sky and wondering, there will something there for you.
1. Talking Telescopes: The Future of American Observation
📅 March 9 | 11:30 a.m. Central
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 3
The future of astronomy is being built today. Next-gen telescopes could reveal dark matter, the first galaxies, and even signs of life—but who will lead the charge?
The U.S. has long dominated telescope innovation, but with rising costs and global competition heating up, our position at the forefront is no longer certain.
Join Carnegie Science President John Mulchaey for an inside look at the race to build the world’s most powerful observatories—including the Giant Magellan Telescope, which Carnegie Science is leading the effort to construct.
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2. Meet the Astronauts Going to the Moon with NASA’s Artemis II
📅 March 7 | 11:30 a.m. Central
📍 Austin Convention Center – Ballroom EF
NASA’s Artemis II mission will take humans farther into space than we’ve been in over 50 years. Meet the real-life astronauts preparing to orbit the Moon and lay the groundwork for a permanent human presence in deep space.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to train for a Moon mission, live in zero gravity, and prepare for humanity’s next giant leap, this is your chance to hear directly from the astronauts making history.
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3. Building and Fixing Things in Space With Robotics
📅 March 7 | 11:30 a.m. Central
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 1-2
The future of space is robotic!
In-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) is set to revolutionize how we build and maintain spacecraft. Imagine telescopes that repair themselves, spacecraft built in orbit, and medical breakthroughs in microgravity. ISAM could even reduce space debris by recycling materials in space.
Hear from experts who are leading the charge in making space robotics smarter, more sustainable, and mission-ready.
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4. NASA’s Science and Art of Imaging Extraterrestrial Samples
📅 March 7 | 2:30 p.m. Central
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 1-2
How do you study an asteroid sample from 200 million miles away? Or capture the inner structure of a Moon rock without breaking it open? NASA scientists and artists use ultra high-resolution imaging, X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT), and cutting-edge visualization tools to bring otherworldly geology to Earth.
This session is sure to blend science and art in ways that will change how you see planetary science!
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5. Lunar Living: Where Humanity Meets Space
📅 March 7 | 4:00 p.m. Central
📍 Museum of the Future
A Moon base is no longer science fiction. With NASA’s Artemis missions and the Lunar Gateway on the horizon, we’re rapidly approaching permanent human presence beyond Earth.
What will it take to survive and thrive on the Moon? How do astronauts grow food, generate power, and build sustainable habitats? Hear from experts who are designing the technology and infrastructure for humanity’s next great adventure, including Hazzaa Al Mansoori the first Emirati astronaut.
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6. Astronomers Looking Down: A Sustainable Earth Incubator
📅 March 11 | 4:00 p.m. Central
📍 Hilton Austin Downtown
Astrophysics isn’t just about looking up—it’s also helping us protect the planet beneath our feet. Scientists are now using AI techniques developed for mapping the cosmos to tackle some of Earth’s most urgent environmental challenges.
This panel explores how cutting-edge space science is being repurposed to track pollution, monitor climate change, and safeguard ecosystems.
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7. Live, From Space! Visualizing the Future With NASA
📅 March 11 | 11:30 a.m. Central
📍 Austin Convention Center – Room 12AB
For more than 60 years, NASA has captured the universe in stunning detail, from Moon landings to deep-space imagery. But how do they bring these moments to life?
Join NASA’s top imagery experts for a behind-the-scenes look at how they document missions, visualize discoveries, and make space exploration more immersive than ever. Get a preview of the innovations that will bring us along for the ride as we head back to the Moon—and beyond.
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8. Celestial Stewardship: Why Space Is Our Planet’s Most Precious Resource
📅 March 9 | 2:30 p.m. Central
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 3
Earth’s orbit is getting crowded! Satellites are essential for climate monitoring, navigation, and communication, but growing orbital debris threatens our ability to use space safely.
This session explores how AI, policy, and sustainability efforts can protect space before it’s too late. If you care about the future of both Earth and space, this talk will be worth your time.
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9. A Fast and Furious Return to the Moon
📅 March 10 | 4:00 p.m. Central
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 1-2
NASA and commercial companies are launching new lunar missions faster than ever. Firefly Aerospace and NASA will break down why we’re going back, how we’re doing it differently, and what’s next for lunar exploration.
Fun fact: Firefly had its first successful lunar landing on March 2, 2025—meaning you’ll get fresh insights!
10. Using ESA's Euclid Telescope To Probe The Dark Universe
📅 March 10 | 2:30 p.m. Central
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 1-2
95 percent of the universe is dark. Dark matter and dark energy shape our cosmos—but we can’t see them.
ESA’s Euclid Telescope is the first designed to map the dark universe. Launched in July 2023, it’s already surveying 2 billion galaxies and uncovering secrets that could change everything we know about physics.
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BONUS: Weaving Art and Science on the Stage
📅 March 8 | 4:00 PM CT
📍 Austin Convention Center – Room 9ABC
The performing arts aren’t just for entertainment—they’re becoming a powerful tool for science communication. This panel brings together experts from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television to explore how theater, storytelling, and immersive performances can bridge the gap between science and the public.
Add to Your Schedule🚀 Which Astronomy Talks Are You Attending?
With so many incredible space events at SXSW 2025, we know it's hard to choose. But if you’re looking for a deep dive into the future of astronomy, we’d love to see you at Talking Telescopes: The Future of American Observation on March 9 at 11:30 a.m. Central! Make sure to join in the conversation on X and BlueSky on the #TalkingTelescopes hashtag.
Are there other sessions you're excited about? Did we miss your favorite? Tag us on social media to let us know—we’d love to hear what’s on your SXSW space itinerary! See you in Austin!
