CLEVELAND (September 1, 2026) – Back for 2026, organizations across the state are joining together to celebrate Ohio Space Week, Sept. 14 – 20. From the Wright brothers’ first flight to pioneering advancements in space exploration, Ohio has been at the forefront of aerospace innovation for generations.

Ohio Space Week celebrates these deep-rooted contributions to the aeronautics and space industries, highlighting the people, institutions, and businesses that continue to shape the future of flight and exploration. Throughout the week, events will showcase how space technology impacts everything from national security to transportation and scientific discovery.

Students, professionals, and space enthusiasts can engage in hands-on activities, panel discussions, and networking opportunities throughout the week. Join us to celebrate Ohio’s aerospace legacy, past, present, and future!

September 14
NASA Glenn Airport Exhibit Opening
NASA makes the impossible possible, and it all starts at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. NASA’s only center in the Midwest is showcasing its rich history and bright future with a new exhibit at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Since 1941, Glenn engineers and scientists have worked behind the scenes to transform aviation, revolutionize space exploration, and inspire new discoveries for the benefit of all. This exhibit celebrates Northeast Ohio’s spirit of innovation and exploration.

Media access information coming soon!
 
September 15 - 16            
American Astronautical Society’s Glenn Space Technology Symposium at Cleveland State University
The American Astronautical Society’s Glenn Space Technology Symposium is a conference of top industry leaders, professionals, and students featuring timely conversations focusing on the technological developments that propel us into the future of space exploration. Enjoy and engage in discussions on a variety of topics including propulsion, power, technological innovation, workforce development, and more. Keynote speakers will expand on the current state and future of the aerospace industry, and valuable networking opportunities are built in throughout the event. Join your fellow astronautic and aeronautic colleagues and connect with the people advancing the industry.

For more information and to register, visit https://astronautical.org/glenn.

September 17
Ohio Space Forum at NASA’s Glenn Research Center at Hilton Downtown Cleveland
From research to orbit, Ohio accelerates what's next. Across our state, groundbreaking ideas move from the laboratory to real-world applications that advance space exploration and commercialization. With world-class research institutions, NASA assets, innovative companies, and a highly skilled workforce, Ohio is helping develop, test, and manufacture the technologies that will power the next generation of missions and discoveries. This year’s forum will spotlight Insights from industry leaders and subject matter experts on the critical issues driving the future of space, including hard-tech startup growth, space health and human performance, lunar energy solutions, space policy, and workforce development for emerging nuclear space technologies.

For more information and to register, visit Orbitohio.com.

September 18 & 19
Discovery Days at Great Lakes Science Center
Blast off into the future of space exploration and become part of the Artemis Generation at NASA Discovery Days, an interactive, free event featuring the incredible teams from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the only NASA center in the Midwest!

Dive into humanity’s journey back to the Moon and beyond as you explore how Glenn’s experts in power, propulsion, communications, and materials are helping NASA build the foundation for astronauts to travel farther than ever before. Explore how Ohioans power missions like Artemis II — NASA’s first crewed trip around the Moon in more than 50 years — and pave the way for the first astronauts of this generation to walk on the lunar surface, establish a sustained presence, and eventually travel to Mars.

This event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days.

September 20
Cleveland Space Race at NASA’s Glenn Research Center
The NASA Glenn Exchange and Hermes Sports & Events are hosting the inaugural Cleveland Space Race, 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at NASA Glenn Research Center’s Lewis Field campus. A grand finale to Ohio Space Week, the 5K Run/Walk is about celebrating curiosity and discovery with a little fun along the way. It’s an opportunity to showcase your incredible work and let the public see behind the scenes where it all happens. Register here!
 
MEDIA NOTE: Media interested in learning more about Ohio Space Week and the various activities should contact Cait Anastis at Great Lakes Science Center: AnastisC@glsc.org / 216-696-5192.
 
For more information on Ohio Space Week, visit: GreatScience.com/OhioSpaceWeek