San Jacinto College will host its 10th Annual History Talks Conference, titled Space City in the Shadow of the Challenger, on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the College’s North Campus Fine Arts Theater (Room N1.103).

The conference will examine the historical, cultural, and scientific impact of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, with a focus on its lasting influence on the Houston region and the nation’s space program. The event is free and open to the community and will be offered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in person or via Zoom livestream.

A highlight of the conference will be the keynote address by Dr. Moriba Jah, Space Systems and Astrodynamics, The University of Texas at Austin, who will virtually present as the keynote speaker. a National Geographic Explorer, MacArthur Fellow, and internationally recognized leader in space science and decision intelligence, Jah focuses his work on improving the stewardship of Earth and the space environment through data-driven systems thinking. He has co-founded multiple space-focused ventures, including Privateer Space, GaiaVerse, and Moriba Jah Universal, and his research has been featured in Nature, Popular Science, and National Geographic.

Before joining academia, Jah served as a spacecraft navigator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to missions including Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Exploration Rover, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. He is a fellow of several prestigious scientific organizations and was recently recognized during Black History Month 2026 as an exceptional alumnus by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for his lasting impact on the aerospace industry.

The program features a mix of panel discussions and keynote presentations led by scholars from regional and national institutions. The agenda includes a moderated panel including:

• Dr. Sarah K. Janes, (moderator) associate vice chancellor of Continuing and Professional Development, San Jacinto College
• Matthew Peek, associate director, UHCL Archives and Special Collections
• Robert Nañes, archivist, University of Houston Clear Lake Archives and Special Collections
• Traci Patterson, archivist/ special collections librarian, Rice University Woodson Research Center

Followed by featured talks from 

• Dr. Olga Bannova, director of the Space Architecture Graduate Program, University of Houston
• Dr. Jah

The History Talks Conference is hosted annually by San Jacinto College to promote interdisciplinary learning and public engagement with pivotal moments in history.

Community members interested in attending virtually are encouraged to pre-register for the Zoom livestream. Additional event details are available through San Jacinto College.