ASCEND 2026

Sterne Kessler’s Graham Phero spoke at the ASCEND 2026 conference hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The event brought together the global space community to drive real, actionable outcomes.

On May 20, 2026, Graham participated in the panel, “Safeguarding Innovation in the Space Economy; A Technical Discussion of Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets & Patents.” The session examined the role of intellectual property in enabling innovation across the space sector, from patents and trade secrets to the challenges of protecting IP in a global (and beyond) environment. Panelists discussed enforcement considerations, the impact of public-private partnerships, and best practices for both startups and established organizations.