Milbank LLP was pleased to co-host the New York Space Business Roundtable (NYSBR), along with Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), on September 2, 2026 at Hudson Yards in New York City. The roundtable topic, “The Industrial Base Behind Defense of Space,” covered what it takes to make space systems mission-ready before they ever reach orbit.
The session explored the industrial base and companies enabling the defense of space – from high-reliability electronics and specialized manufacturing to secure supply chains, insurance, risk management and the investment opportunities emerging around them. The headline conversation was followed by a closed-forum discussion on the companies, capital, risks and regional capabilities behind Defense of Space.
Dara Panahy, Transportation and Space partner and head of Milbank’s Space Business Group, along with the other speakers Quadri Bello (Empire Space), Zack Hester (Novaspace), Christopher Kunstadter (Triton Space) and David Myers (Applied Aerospace & Defense), had a lively discussion on a broad range of perspectives regarding the industrial base supporting the defense of space. The program also featured special guest Colonel Tim Trimailo, Director of the Commercial Space Office at Space Systems Command, bringing a critical government perspective to the conversation.
SSPI is the industry’s largest, international and cross-disciplinary professional network. NYSBR brings the space and satellite industry into conversation with the institutions and professionals that help determine how industries grow, attract capital, manage risk and earn public trust.
