Duke Space Academy
Why Space. Why Duke. Why Now.
November 6-8, 2026 | Duke University | Durham, North Carolina
Co-Sponsored by Duke Space Initiative
Join Duke alumni for an immersive weekend of discovery, designed for learners ages 18 and older, featuring exclusive access to faculty, research laboratories, interactive experiences, and conversations exploring the future of space.
Duke Space Academy brings together researchers, educators, and students across science, engineering, medicine, law, public policy, and other disciplines to explore how collaboration is advancing space research and addressing some of today’s most complex challenges.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll enjoy behind-the-scenes access to research laboratories, interactive demonstrations, conversations with faculty and students, and opportunities to connect with fellow alumni.
Together, we’ll explore three guiding questions:
Why Space?
Discover how space research is transforming life on Earth while opening new frontiers for exploration and discovery.
Why Duke?
Experience Duke’s interdisciplinary leadership and meet the people advancing research, education, and innovation across the space enterprise.
Why Now?
Discover why this moment represents a pivotal time for space exploration, commercial innovation, scientific discovery, and international collaboration.
What You’ll Experience
Go behind the scenes of Duke’s work in space. Across three days, you’ll have opportunities to explore research, meet faculty and students, and take part in hands-on experiences spanning science, engineering, medicine, policy, and exploration.
- Explore remote sensing and discover how technology helps us observe and understand our planet from above.
- Meet Dan Scolnic, director of the Duke Space Initiative, and hear about Duke’s work and vision in space.
- See the dark universe with Duke’s cosmology group and explore images captured by telescopes high above Earth.
- Build a rocket alongside Duke’s student rocketry club and turn an idea into flight.
- Step inside space medicine and explore the history of human spaceflight, including a tour of a hyperbaric chamber.
- Explore robotics and telescope technology, hear perspectives from NASA and a Duke policy fellow, and spend an evening stargazing.
Whether your interests lie in astronomy, engineering, medicine, public policy, or simply the excitement of discovery, Duke Space Academy offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and explore how today’s research is shaping tomorrow’s possibilities.
Choose the experiences that spark your curiosity and discover Duke’s work in space from the inside.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus for a weekend of exploration, conversation, and inspiration.
Plan your weekend: Explore the schedule, meet the speakers, and find important event details using the tabs above.
Program dates and times are confirmed. Individual speakers, session topics, and activities are subject to change as the program is finalized.
$549 per person (plus tax)
Program Specific Refunds/Cancellations
Refunds are calculated per person and are based on the date your cancellation request is received relative to the program start date. The program begins on November 6, 2026.
- On or before September 7, 2026 (60 or more days before the program start date): You will receive a refund of your total payment (registration fee + tax), minus a $50 administrative fee.
- Between September 8, 2026, and October 7, 2026 (59–30 days before the program start date): You will receive a refund of your total payment (registration fee + tax), minus a $125 per-person administrative fee.
- On or after October 8, 2026 (29 days or fewer before the program start date): Refunds will not be granted.