IEEE SMC-IT/SCC 2026

See Registration & Accomodation for details.

12th International Conference on Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology (SMC-IT)
17th International Conference on Space Computing (SCC)

Hilton Pasadena - Pasadena, California
August 3-6, 2026

Important Dates:

Paper abstract submission deadline for feedback: January 3, 2026 [optional]*
~~Workshop abstract submission deadline for feedback: January 14, 2026~~
~~Abstract feedback response: January 16, 2026~~
Deadline for full papers and presentation-only abstracts: ~~April 4, 2026~~ April 18, 2026 (EXTENDED)
~~Registration site opens: April 4, 2026~~
Author acceptance notification: ~~April 25, 2026~~ May 9, 2026 (EXTENDED)
Final presentations deadline: June 27, 2026
Final camera-ready versions papers deadline: July 7, 2026
Conference: August 3-6, 2026*

Sponsored by: IEEE Computer Society - Technical Committee on Software Engineering and Technical Committee on Computer Architecture

*To help authors prepare their papers for submission, we offer to provide feedback on abstracts submitted in advance. This step is not compulsory, and authors may submit papers without previously submitting an abstract.

The International Conference on Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology (SMC-IT) and the Space Computing Conference (SCC) gather system designers, engineers, computer architects, scientists, practitioners, and space explorers with the objective of advancing information technology, and the computational capability and reliability of space missions. The forums will provide an excellent opportunity for fostering technical interchange on all hardware and software aspects of space missions. The joint conferences will focus on current systems practice and challenges as well as emerging hardware and software technologies with applicability for future space missions.

Systems in all aspects of the space mission will be explored, including flight systems, ground systems, science data processing, engineering and development tools, operations, telecommunications, radiation-tolerant computing devices, reliable electronics, space-qualifiable packaging technologies. The entire information systems lifecycle of the mission development will also be covered, such as conceptual design, engineering tools development, integration and test, operations, science analysis, quality control.

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Student Registration Scholarship: Call for Applications

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We are pleased to offer a limited number of student scholarships to support participation in the Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology (SMC-IT) and Space Computing Conference (SCC). Each scholarship provides $500 toward conference registration for selected student applicants.

This opportunity is intended to help students engage with the space technology and computing community, attend technical sessions, connect with researchers and professionals, and broaden their exposure to current work in the field.

Scholarship Details

Award amount: $500
Use of funds: Conference registration for SMC-IT/SCC
Eligibility: Students only
Number of awards: Limited
Application deadline: 5/2
Notification date: 5/16

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student
Have an interest in space computing, information technology for space missions, or a related field
Plan to attend SMC-IT/SCC

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Demonstrated interest in space computing, mission IT, or related areas
Relevance of SMC-IT/SCC to the applicant’s academic or professional goals
Potential benefit of attending the conference
Clarity and completeness of the application

How to Apply

Please complete the application form and submit it by 5/2 to Jack Lightholder (jack.a.lightholder@jpl.nasa.gov).

Kareem Badaruddin

Kareem Badaruddin is the Mission Manager of the Voyager Interstellar Mission. He has been at JPL since 1994 and has served in line management as well as roles on Cassini, Dawn, SMAP, and various proposals and costing exercises. Kareem has an extensive background in flight system testbeds and in-flight anomaly investigation and resolution. He has demonstrated strong technical leadership in addressing serious anomalies that could have resulted in the loss of a spacecraft. He was fortunate to rely on the exceptional skill and creativity of the Voyager flight team as well as the expert JPL anomaly teams.

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Chris Mattmann

Chris Mattmann is UCLA’s inaugural chief data and artificial intelligence officer. The position is the first of its kind at any University of California campus and one of just a few at universities in the U.S. Chris joins UCLA from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where he was the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer. Chris has an established track record of conducting award-winning innovative use of technology and data throughout his career. As a Principal Scientist at JPL, he created the next-generation data processing systems used in NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory and other earth science missions. Chris’ work has been funded by NASA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and private industry. He also contributed to open-source technology development and was a member of the Board of Directors at the Apache Software Foundation (2013-18).

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Adam Thurn

Adam Thurn is the Chief Engineer for Space Missions at Anduril Industries focusing on providing technical oversight and direction in advanced space capabilities for the organization. Prior to joining Anduril, Adam served as the VP of Engineering for Terran Orbital and Tyvak overseeing all engineering functions for the various spacecraft missions including NASA's CAPSTONE and the SDA's Tranche 0 and Tranche 1 Transport Layer. He also served as a Spacecraft Mechanism Engineer while working for the Naval Research Laboratory and holds several patents across reusable burn wire release mechanisms and fluid transfer mechanisms for space applications. Adam holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

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Harrison Schmitt

Harrison Hagan Schmitt landed in the Valley of Taurus-Littrow as the only scientist and the last of 12 men to step on the Moon during the Apollo Program. Schmitt consults with a number of commercial and governmental entities on aerospace and Earth and space science issues. He also continues to participate in research and publications related to his December 1972 exploration of the valley of Taurus-Littrow on the Moon. Significant portions of his ongoing activity relates to the integration of 50 years of reported analytical research on lunar samples with the photographs and observations he made during the Apollo 17 mission. Receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Caltech, Schmitt studied as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Oslo, Norway, and attended graduate school at Harvard University. Geological field studies in Norway in 1957-58 and 1960 formed the basis of his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1964. His geological fieldwork on behalf of corporate clients and the United States Geological Survey included projects in California, Alaska, Montana, Arizona, and New England as well as the Moon.

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IEEE Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology - IEEE Space Computing Conference

Hilton Pasadena - Pasadena, CA, USA - Mon 3 Aug - Fri 7 August 2026

Registration is now open!

Call for IEEE SMC-IT/SCC 2026 submissions

Important Dates:

Student Registration Scholarship: Call for Applications

Speakers

Tracks

Workshops