{"id":585280,"global_id":"spacenews.com?id=585280","global_id_lineage":["spacenews.com?id=585280"],"author":"10908","status":"publish","date":"2026-04-09 14:16:11","date_utc":"2026-04-09 18:16:11","modified":"2026-04-09 14:17:17","modified_utc":"2026-04-09 18:17:17","url":"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/event\/2026-spring-eisenhower-award-gala-space-security\/","rest_url":"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/wp-json\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/585280","title":"2026 Spring Eisenhower Award Gala: Space Security","description":"
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Business Executives for National Security (BENS) will focus on space security at the 2026 Eisenhower Award Gala, where public and private leaders will gather to honor General Stephen N. Whiting, USSF, Commander of U.S. Space Command<\/strong>, and Baiju Bhatt, Founder and CEO of Aetherflux and Co-Founder of Robinhood.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In an era of evolving threats, space has become essential to America’s national security. Protecting it requires the whole-of-nation approach that President Eisenhower knew as the true foundation of lasting security. Join BENS for the 40th Eisenhower Gala bringing together senior business, military, and government leaders to honor two extraordinary Americans who embody that belief as they protect our nation’s space-based capabilities and build energy independence from the high ground.<\/p>\n

As Commander of U.S. Space Command,\u00a0General Whiting<\/strong>\u00a0stands at the forefront of one of the most consequential strategic challenges of our time: preserving America’s freedom of action in a domain that underpins all others. He leads Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Guardians operating ground and space-based systems worldwide to deter aggression and defend our national interests and those of our allies.<\/p>\n

Addressing a parallel security challenge from the private sector,\u00a0Mr. Baiju Bhatt\u00a0<\/strong>is building an American power grid in space. As the Founder and CEO of Aetherflux, he is leading the development of space solar power systems to deliver continuous energy to contested military environments, remote communities, and critical infrastructure on Earth. A co-founder of Robinhood,\u00a0Mr. Bhatt\u00a0brings that same drive to transform industries towards America’s energy independence and supply chain resilience.<\/p>\n

Together, General Whiting and Mr. Bhatt exemplify the partnership President Eisenhower envisioned \u2014 public and private leadership united in service of a stronger, more prosperous nation.<\/p>\n

Black Tie\/Mess Dress Preferred.
<\/em>Sponsor opportunities available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t

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