NASA MAX POWER expo Showcases public-private partnerships at KSC

MAX POWER is an aerospace expo and air show running November 6 to November 8, 2026, at Kennedy Space Center, marking NASA’s return to hosting a public air show at KSC and celebrating America’s 250th anniversary as announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

NASA will host the MAX POWER aerospace expo and air show from November 6 to November 8, 2026, at and near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, including the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Shuttle Landing Facility, Apollo Saturn V Center, and Vehicle Assembly Building. The event is the fourth public air show hosted by NASA at KSC. It is intended to showcase the agency’s collaboration with commercial vendors, startups, and aerospace partners in the Florida space ecosystem. The event aligns with NASA’s strategy to engage the public and private sectors in advancing aerospace innovation.

• Gates open: Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 at 9:00 a.m. EST
• Nuclear media gaggle: Nov. 7 at 10:00 a.m. EST
• Student challenge announcement: Nov. 8 at 10:00 a.m. EST
• Roman Space Telescope session: Nov. 7 at 2:00 p.m. EST
• Air Dot Show opening remarks: Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m. EST
• Artemis III crew meet-and-greet: Nov. 7 at 12:45 p.m. EST
• Moon Base news conference: Nov. 7 at 5:00 p.m. EST
• X-59 media gaggle: Nov. 8 at 9:00 a.m. EST
• SpaceX Crew-12 meet-and-greet: Nov. 8 at 12:45 p.m. EST
• United States Space Academy session: Nov. 8 at 12:45 p.m. EST

Central to the expo is a space partner showcase that will feature exhibits from commercial vendors, startups, and aerospace partners contributing to NASA’s missions. These external displays will include Moon rovers, lunar exploration hardware, next-generation aircraft, autonomous vehicles, and spacecraft, alongside NASA’s own technologies. The event is a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The space partner expo is part of NASA’s public-private engagement model in Florida.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft will be displayed at MAX POWER, showcasing the Quesst mission’s effort to advance low-boom supersonic flight technology. On Nov. 7 at 2:00 p.m. EST, Julie McEnery, senior project scientist for the Roman Space Telescope at NASA Goddard, will discuss the observatory’s scientific objectives. These exhibits represent NASA’s investments in next-generation aviation and space observatories. The X-59 is part of NASA’s aeronautics research aimed at reducing supersonic noise.

On Nov. 7 at 5:00 p.m. EST, NASA will host a Moon Base news conference providing updates on the lunar South Pole outpost, humanity’s first long-term lunar exploration base. The conference will feature NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and experts from the Moon Base Program. After the briefing, NASA will offer one-on-one interviews with subject-matter experts. The Moon Base Program is a cornerstone of NASA’s lunar exploration strategy.

The Artemis III crew includes NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik and Frank Rubio, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, and NASA astronaut Bob Hines. They will meet the public on Nov. 7 at 12:45 p.m. EST, followed by a media gaggle. On Nov. 8 at 12:45 p.m. EST, SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway will greet visitors. The Artemis III mission aims to return humans to the Moon.

A nuclear media gaggle led by Cynthia Simmons, director of the Space Reactors Division, is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 10:00 a.m. EST to discuss advancements in nuclear propulsion and power systems. On Nov. 8 at 10:00 a.m. EST, Administrator Isaacman and Moon Base Program manager Carlos García-Galán will announce a student challenge. Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson will deliver opening remarks at the Air Dot Show on Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m. EST. A United States Space Academy session with Anderson is set for Nov. 8 at 12:45 p.m. EST.

The Air Dot Show will feature a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performance alongside aerial demonstrations by branches of the Department of Defense. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will join F-5 and MiG-29 flyovers during MAX POWER, including a flyover on Nov. 7 at 11:58 a.m. EST and another on Nov. 8 at 11:58 a.m. EST. The flyovers are part of the Air Dot Show, which is a component of MAX POWER.

Gates open at 9:00 a.m. EST on Nov. 7 and the following day for family-friendly events including a parade with off-Earth rovers, astronauts, special characters, and a marching band, as well as STEM activities and an art exhibition. Behind-the-gates bus tours will provide access to the Gantry, Apollo Saturn V Center, and Vehicle Assembly Building. NASA is offering a $17.76 discount on one-day admission to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex during the event. The discount makes the event more accessible to the public.

The MAX POWER event follows NASA’s Inspiration Tour, which included flyovers highlighting the agency’s aircraft fleet and built anticipation for the expo. The tour featured a Freedom 250 F-5 flyover during the national anthem at an NFL game on Sept. 27, 2026, as part of preparations. MAX POWER is the fourth public air show hosted by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Inspiration Tour aimed to generate public excitement for MAX POWER.

MAX POWER will include a speaker series with industry experts discussing innovations in space exploration, including lunar habitat construction. The event will also feature a WeFlip duo performance demonstrating basic science concepts through acrobatics, blending education and entertainment. The speaker series includes discussions of collaborations between NASA and its partners. The WeFlip performance engages visitors of all ages with interactive demonstrations.

On Nov. 8 at 9:00 a.m. EST, a media gaggle with X-59 team members will feature Laurie Grindle, Peter Coen, and Jim ‘Clue’ Less. The gaggle will provide journalists with an opportunity to learn about the progress of the X-59 project. The X-59 project aims to advance supersonic flight technology. The media event is part of NASA’s efforts to share aeronautics research advancements.

Florida’s space ecosystem is a critical partner for NASA, with commercial vendors, startups, and aerospace companies contributing to missions like Artemis and next-generation aviation technologies. The event aligns with NASA’s broader goals for Artemis and commercial crew operations. MAX POWER emphasizes the integration of new technologies and international partnerships. The expo serves as a platform for public-private collaboration in the Florida space ecosystem.