The Next Maritime Advantage May Come From Space

An invitation-only executive roundtable exploring how satellite-enabled capabilities can transform ocean intelligence, science, maritime security, and commercial opportunity, and why San Diego is uniquely positioned to lead.

Overview

The convergence of the space and maritime domains is creating new opportunities to understand, operate in, and protect the ocean environment. Satellite-enabled capabilities are increasingly relevant to ocean intelligence, maritime domain awareness, environmental monitoring, communications, navigation, autonomous systems, scientific research, and maritime security.

TMA BlueTech, in direct collaboration with the Space Force Association San Diego Chapter, will convene the Space-to-Sea Executive Roundtable, an invitation-only strategic working session bringing together a select group of senior leaders from across the space, maritime, defense, science, technology, economic development, and investment communities.

The objective is straightforward: explore what it would take to position San Diego as a leading environment for the development, demonstration, and commercialization of space-enabled ocean technologies.

San Diego possesses an unusual concentration of assets relevant to this opportunity, including a globally significant maritime economy, major Navy and defense capabilities, world-class ocean science and research institutions, an established BlueTech innovation ecosystem, technology companies, investors, and a growing space and aerospace community. The Roundtable will examine where these capabilities intersect and, more importantly, where stronger connections between them could create new opportunities.

Rather than a traditional conference or panel discussion, the Space-to-Sea Executive Roundtable is being designed as a small, highly participatory working session. Participants will be invited to contribute their expertise and perspectives around emerging needs, existing regional capabilities, potential technology applications, barriers to collaboration, and opportunities for joint action.

Areas of discussion are expected to include:

• Ocean Intelligence & Maritime Domain Awareness: Applying space-based sensing, data, communications, and analytics to improve understanding of activity and conditions across the maritime domain.

• Ocean Science & Environmental Intelligence: Expanding the use of satellite observations and complementary technologies to support ocean research, monitoring, forecasting, and decision-making.

• Maritime Security & Defense: Exploring space-enabled capabilities relevant to operational awareness, communications, navigation, resilience, and emerging maritime security requirements.

• Technology Development & Demonstration: Identifying opportunities to connect space-derived capabilities with San Diego's ocean technology community, maritime operators, research institutions, and potential demonstration environments.

• Commercialization & Investment: Examining pathways for translating promising technologies and applications into commercial opportunities, partnerships, and scalable businesses.

• Regional Collaboration: Identifying the organizations, infrastructure, programs, and relationships needed to strengthen San Diego's position at the intersection of the space and maritime economies.

The goal is not simply to discuss the potential of space-enabled ocean technologies. The Roundtable is intended to identify where meaningful opportunities exist, who needs to be connected, and what practical next steps could move those opportunities forward.

The Space-to-Sea Executive Roundtable is part of TMA BlueTech's Mobilization Forum San Diego initiative and reflects TMA's broader effort to bring together the people, capabilities, and resources necessary to translate emerging Blue Economy opportunities into tangible regional and commercial outcomes.

September 3, 2026 | 3:00–6:00 PM PDT
University Club | 750 B Street, Suite 3400, San Diego, CA 92101

Participation

This is an invitation-only strategic working session with intentionally limited participation to preserve the quality and depth of the discussion.

Organizations and leaders whose capabilities, expertise, or strategic interests align with the Space-to-Sea initiative may submit a request for consideration.