Space for Inspiration 2026: Scaling Research and Production in Space
On 1–2 September 2026, around 500 participants from across the global space community gathered at the Bella Center Copenhagen for Space for Inspiration 2026, ESA’s annual conference on commercial space exploration.
Hosted by the European Space Agency together with the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science and organised by the ESA Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) and ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Denmark, the conference brought together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, researchers, service providers, ESA Member State representatives and international partners.
2
Full days
6
Flagship Plenary
13
Sessions
6
Workshops
Exploring the Next Era of Space‑Enabled Innovation
The conference opened in the presence of His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark, alongside ESA astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Corps Andreas Mogensen, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander, and Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund. Their participation underlined a central message of the conference: commercial space is increasingly moving from technological demonstration towards markets, products and services capable of delivering value in space and on Earth.
Under the cross-cutting theme “Scaling Research and Production in Space”, six flagship plenaries, 13 sessions and six workshops explored how commercial opportunities are developing across four strategic markets: Health & Life Sciences, Advanced Materials & In-Space Manufacturing, Agri-Food, and Space Resources.
Discussions ranged from microgravity-enabled drug development, advanced materials and future food systems to market-driven LEO infrastructure, lunar construction, resource prospecting and the economics of using resources on the Moon.
The BSGN Industry Accelerators supporting these markets are managed by MEDES, Satellite Applications Catapult, ESRIC, STAM and Space Commerce Matters.
The conference also provided the setting for tangible progress. ESA and ispace-EUROPE marked the Phase 2 agreement for MAGPIE – the Mission for Advanced Geophysics and Polar Ice Exploration – on the main stage. Led by ispace-EUROPE, the €65 million mission is planned for launch in 2029 and will deploy ESA’s first lunar rover to investigate water ice, other volatiles and regolith in the Moon’s south-polar region, providing critical knowledge for future resource prospecting and sustained lunar exploration.
Across the programme, companies demonstrated how emerging capabilities can turn space into a more accessible environment for research and production. Space Forge presented its ForgeStar platform and its approach to manufacturing and returning high-value advanced materials from orbit. Space Cargo Unlimited showcased its approach to scalable microgravity infrastructure, linking repeatable access to orbit with research, manufacturing and future food innovation. These examples reflected the conference’s broader focus on moving from one-off demonstrations towards repeatable, investable commercial activity.
Partners recognition
Space for Inspiration 2026 was made possible with the support and active contribution of its event partners: ispace-EUROPE, Space Cargo Unlimited, Danish Industry, Space Forge, Lambda Space, CONTEC and Xponential Space.
Relive Space for Inspiration 2026
Explore the conference media library, speakers, our partners, and programme to revisit the ideas, technologies and conversations shaping the next generation of commercial activity in Low Earth Orbit and on the Moon.
And these topics were explored...
Beyond the four market themes, Space for Inspiration offered a broader look at the commercial ecosystem enabling research and production in space.
- International Collaboration – Connected with agencies, organisations, and partners driving global approaches to exploration and commercialisation.
- Academic Challenge — Watched the winning student teams present breakthrough ideas contributing to future space markets. More info to follow.
- ESA Commercialisation Framework – Learnt how ESA supports companies across the full innovation pathway — from early ideas to large‑scale commercial ventures.
- Current & Future Supply Chain for Innovation in Space – Explored the evolving ecosystem of players enabling research, logistics, operations, and production in orbit.
- Future Markets in Space – A forward look at emerging opportunities, including areas such as space‑based data centres and other early‑stage commercial concepts.
Diverse stakeholders participated in the conference
Space for Inspiration is designed for the full commercial space ecosystem – from market builders to technology pioneers and policy leaders.
Investors
An opportunity to identify where the next generation of commercial space exploration markets is taking shape and where future growth and returns may emerge.
Entrepreneurs & Industry
Start-ups, SMEs and corporates – A platform to connect with customers, partners, agencies and investors, and to bring new solutions into a growing exploration economy.
Service Providers
A place to engage with future demand in Low Earth Orbit and lunar operations, connect with customers and partners, and position your services in emerging commercial value chains.
Academic Teams & Researchers
A platform to showcase emerging research and explore pathways from scientific discovery to commercial application.
ESA Member States
A strategic setting to align national priorities, industrial capabilities and European ambitions in commercial space exploration.
International Partners
An opportunity to build cooperation and partnerships around shared exploration goals and long-term market development.
