Space Force general to speak at Spacepower Conference in Orlando

Lt. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood will speak at the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference in Orlando on Dec. 8-10, bringing a top U.S. Space Command leader to a gathering of Guardians, allies and industry. The event will focus on space warfare, emerging technologies and the role of space power in U.S. and allied operations.

Why it matters: - Lt. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood leads the Space Force component that provides combat-ready space forces in support of U.S. Space Command. - His appearance signals that the conference will center on space operations, allied coordination and the future of space power. - Spacepower Conference also serves as a venue for industry, investors and the next generation of space talent to hear directly from senior military leaders.

What happened: - The Space Force Association announced that Bythewood will speak at Spacepower Conference 2026. - The conference runs Dec. 8-10, 2026, at the Hilton Orlando in Orlando, Florida. - The event theme is “The Decisive Edge.” - The conference will bring together Guardians, joint and allied partners, and industry attendees.

The details: - Bythewood has commanded U.S. Space Forces – Space, known as S4S, at Vandenberg Space Force Base since November 2025. - He also serves as U.S. Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander. - S4S is the field component responsible for commanding combat-ready space forces in support of U.S. Space Command. - S4S delivers space superiority and global space-enabled effects to the joint force alongside allies and partners. - Bythewood entered the Air Force through ROTC in 1992 after graduating from the University of Vermont. - He transferred to the Space Force in 2021. - His previous roles include commanding space operations at the squadron and group levels and leading Joint Task Force-Space Defense. - Before his current assignment, Bythewood served as Special Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations. - Damon Feltman, CEO of the Space Force Association, said Bythewood commands the forces that deliver space effects to the joint fight alongside allies and partners. - Feltman said the association is honored to have Bythewood speak at the conference about what it takes to hold “The Decisive Edge.” - The conference’s program spans five stages and includes senior leader keynotes, operator debriefs and sessions on artificial intelligence, space nuclear power, in-space servicing and refueling, and the Golden Dome mandate. - SPC26 also closes out America’s 250th anniversary year. - The conference is in its fourth year.

Between the lines: - The speaker lineup suggests the Space Force Association is positioning SPC26 as a high-level forum for strategy, technology and operational lessons. - The mix of military leaders, industry participants and investors points to a conference aimed at both policy influence and market signaling. - The focus on AI, nuclear power and in-space servicing reflects where defense and commercial space discussions are moving next.

What's next: - Registration, hotel information and program updates are available at attendspacepower.org. - The conference is expected to draw senior space leaders and industry stakeholders to Orlando in December. - Additional programming details may be released as SPC26 approaches.

The bottom line: - Bythewood’s appearance gives Spacepower Conference a marquee military speaker and reinforces the event’s focus on the operational future of U.S. space power.