Space Lead Conference

Launchpad to Discovery. Gateway to Possibility.

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Agenda

Alfaisal University, Riyadh- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Registration / Wellness Breakfast

8:30 AM To 9:30 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Conference Tour

9:30 AM To 10:00 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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- National Anthem
- Recitation of Holy Quran
- Alfaisal University - Journey Towards Excellence and Innovation - Video Presentation
- Welcome Address - Alfaisal University - Dr. Maha Bint Mishari AlSaud, Steering Committee Chair, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), FII Institute-Conference Overview - Dr. Khaled Al-Kattan
Scientific Committee Chair, Vice President for Administration & Finance, Dean of College of Medicine - Alfaisal University

10:00 AM To 10:30 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Opening Remarks & Keynote

Recent Space Advances and Future Applications and Science Opportunities

10:30 AM To 10:45 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Prof. Charles Elachi
Prof. Charles Elachi
"Steering Committee Member Professor of Electrical Engineering and Planetary Science, Emeritus"
Astronaut keynote

Astro Ali Alqarni to talk about his experience in space and, mission milestones, and the future of space exploration

10:45 AM To 11:15 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Panel 1

Discussion Panel on Humans in Space; Scientific missions and health

10:45 AM To 11:15 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Panellists: Astro Rayyanah and Astro Dr. Mariam

Moderator: Dr. Hesham AlShugair, GM of Deep Sea Exploration, KACST

Keynote 1

Space microgravity as an aging and disease model

11:15 AM To 11:30 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Khalid Abu Khabar
Dr. Khalid Abu Khabar
Research Group Leader and Principal Scientist
Talk 1

Mission Possible – The Art of Engineering Missions That Matter

11:30 AM To 11:45 AM - 25 Oct 2026
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Mr. Khalid Manjoo
Mr. Khalid Manjoo
Director of Spacecraft Engineering
Talk 2

Engineering for Human Spaceflight: Lessons from Starliner and the Artemis Core Stage

11:45 AM To 12:00 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Michelle Parker
Dr. Michelle Parker
Vice President and Chief Engineer, Boeing Defense, Space and Security
Recognition Ceremony

Sponsors, Speakers, Committee & Little pioneers

12:00 PM To 12:20 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Lunch / Prayer Break

12:20 PM To 1:00 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Panel 3: Boeing & KACST

  1. 1. Engineering for Human Spaceflight: Lessons from Starliner and the Artemis Core Stage
  2. 2. Can a Spacecraft Handle the Unexpected?

1:00 PM To 1:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Amani Alonazi
Dr. Amani Alonazi
Associate Technical Fellow
Dr. Ali Alkhaleefah
Dr. Ali Alkhaleefah
Senior Researcher, KACST
Talk 3

Space-Borne Observations of the Global Water Cycle

1:30 PM To 1:45 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Prof. Dara Entekhabi
Prof. Dara Entekhabi
Bacardi and Stockholm Water Foundations Chair
Talk

KACST’s Space Efforts and Research Roadmap

Space & Advanced Engineering
1:45 PM To 2:00 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Talk 4

Dr. Majid Albahkali
Dr. Majid Albahkali
GM, Earth & Space Science Institute; Co-director, CoE for Earth & Space Science
Presentation

MADAK Program outcomes

Space & Advanced Engineering
2:00 PM To 2:15 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Presentation

Ms. Aya Aljuhani
Ms. Aya Aljuhani
Associate Principal of Space Research, Microgravity, and HSF Outreach
Talk 5

Small Space Operations - Science Missions in the New Space Era

Space & Advanced Engineering
2:15 PM To 2:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Andrew Klesh
Dr. Andrew Klesh
Associate Director and Chief Systems Engineer, Brinson Exploration Hub
Workshop

Gravity of Discovery: Space Research in Science and Medicine

Human Health Off-Planet
2:15 PM To 3:15 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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1 HR Workshop (Health and Medicine)

Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi
Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi
Associate Scientist, Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Research & Innovation, Assistant Professor — Alfaisal University
Dr. Baraa Alghaylini
Dr. Baraa Alghaylini
Vice Dean, College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Family & Community Medicine, Alfaisal University
Talk 6

Hyperspectral Earth Observation for Saudi Arabia: Emerging Capabilities and National Applications

Space & Advanced Engineering
2:30 PM To 2:45 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Naif Zaid Alsalem
Dr. Naif Zaid Alsalem
Earth Observation Expert, KACST

Break

2:45 PM To 3:00 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Workshop

From First Light in Saudi Skies to First Orbit: Engineering a Sovereign SAR Capability 

Space & Advanced Engineering
3:00 PM To 4:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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1.5 HRs Workshop 2 

Dr. Muhannad Almutiry
Dr. Muhannad Almutiry
Co-founder and CBO, SARsatX
Keynote

The Next Space Race Is Biological: How Strategic Partnerships Can Position Saudi Arabia to Lead the Future of Space Medicine

Human Health Off-Planet
3:00 PM To 3:15 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Kimberly Washington
Dr. Kimberly Washington
Co-Founder & CEO, Deep Space Biology
Workshop

Planetary Architecture  

Space & Advanced Engineering
3:00 PM To 4:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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1.5 HR Workshop 1 

Dr. Elena Manferdini
Dr. Elena Manferdini
Principal, Atelier Manferdini; Design Faculty, SCI-Arc

Telomere Biology Under Spaceflight Stress: Implications for Aging

Human Health Off-Planet
3:15 PM To 3:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Taghreed Al-Turki
Dr. Taghreed Al-Turki
Translational Scientist, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Space for All. Disability and Spaceflight

Human Health Off-Planet
3:30 PM To 3:45 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Irene di Giulio
Dr. Irene di Giulio
Senior Lecturer King's College London
Talk 7

Ageing beyond earth

Human Health Off-Planet
3:45 PM To 4:00 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Dr. Ghada Alsaleh
Dr. Ghada Alsaleh
Associate Professor, University of Oxford
Talk 8

Rethinking Architecture: Bio-Inspired Computational Design for a Resource-Conscious

Human Health Off-Planet
4:00 PM To 4:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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Prof. Achim Menges
Prof. Achim Menges
Founding Director, Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart

Day 1 Adjournment

5:30 PM To 5:30 PM - 25 Oct 2026
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