Join us at
SPACE FOR INSPIRATION 2026
ESA's Annual Conference on Commercial Space Exploration1-2 September, Copenhagen
The conference is hosted by the European Space Agency (ESA) together with the Ministry of Higher Education and Science Denmark. It is organized by the ESA Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) and ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Denmark.
2
Full days
6
Flagship Plenary
13
Sessions
8
Workshops
Explore the Next Era of Space‑Enabled Innovation
Space for Inspiration 2026 brings together companies, researchers, investors, and agencies working at the front edge of commercial space exploration. This year’s edition presents the cross-cutting theme Scaling Research and Production in Space. The conference will highlight four markets where microgravity, in-orbit and lunar space resources capabilities are already creating new opportunities for research & development, and production in space:
Microgravity
Life Sciences
Pharma • Biotech • Medtech
Explore therapeutic discovery, bioprocessing, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, and other technologies that use microgravity to advance biological research. This theme also looks at astronaut health and at innovations with clear dual benefits for space and terrestrial healthcare.
Microgravity
Advanced Materials & In‑Space Manufacturing
Materials • Processes • Production
Discover developments in novel materials, higher‑purity production, advanced characterisation, new manufacturing methods, automation concepts, and scale‑up considerations. The focus is on technologies that enable repeatable and high‑quality production in space while creating value for markets on Earth.
Microgravity
Agri‑Food
Bioprocessing • Fermentation • Controlled Cultivation
Explore microgravity-driven approaches to bioprocessing, fermentation, novel ingredients, controlled‑environment cultivation, food quality and safety, and stability solutions. This theme also examines closed‑loop food systems, waste‑to‑value processes, and plant biology relevant to both space missions and terrestrial applications.
Lunar
Space Resources
Construction • Infrastructure • ISRU
Discover pathways for using lunar resources — especially regolith and water ice — to support construction and infrastructure. This includes excavation and handling, processing, binders and building materials, landing and road surfaces, radiation shielding, and value‑chain aspects needed for long‑term lunar operations.
And that's only the beginning...
Beyond the four market themes, Space for Inspiration offers a broader look at the commercial ecosystem enabling research and production in space.
- Exhibition Area – Meet service providers, industry accelerators, and technology developers showcasing solutions that support commercial activity in space.
- International Collaboration – Connect with agencies, organisations, and partners driving global approaches to exploration and commercialisation.
- Academic Challenge — Watch the winning student teams present breakthrough ideas contributing to future space markets. More info to follow.
- ESA Commercialisation Framework – Learn 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 – Explore 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.
Join Space for Inspiration 2026
Early‑bird price for the first 100 tickets
Optional additions
Limited availability | Available with both ticket options
- Executive Pass: Executive lounge access, priority seating, and dedicated networking opportunities – 139 €
- +1 Guest for the Welcome Reception – 139 €
Programme Agenda
Flagship Plenary
- Scaling Up – Making Markets Investable: Strategies for Scale
- Health & Life Science – Explore how microgravity enables new advances in biomedical research and health technologies.
- Agri-Food – Explore how microgravity advances the development of future food technologies for space and Earth.
- Advanced Materials & In-Space Manufacturing – Explore how microgravity advances R&D in advanced materials and manufacturing processes for space and Earth.
- ISRU & Construction – Explore how in‑situ resource utilisation (ISRU) enables construction and infrastructure on the Moon.
- Astronaut final session: From Orbit to Business – Astronaut insights on how space can shape future commercial opportunities.
Sessions
- Lunar Resources Prospecting – Discover how the MAGPIE mission will assess lunar water ice and support the next steps toward resource utilisation on the Moon.
- Disruptive Innovation – Exploring the technologies, market shifts, and industry trends that could transform commercial space exploration in the decade ahead.
- Innovation for Astronauts Health – Deep Space Exploration: Driving Innovation in Astronaut Health and Wellbeing.
- Accelerating Innovation – Can Europe Turn Research Leadership into Market Leadership?
- Lunar Architecture – Building a sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon.
- LEO Commercial Service Providers – Introducing the next generation of commercial service providers in LEO.
- Scaling Up – What can space learn from deep tech leaders who have turned advanced innovation into a scalable business?
- Commercial Lunar Service Providers – Introducing the next generation of lunar commercial service providers.
- Market-driven LEO Architecture – How to prepare LEO platforms for sustained commercial use in the post‑ISS era?
- Industry accelerators sessions – Behind the scenes: lessons and market insights from ESA BSGN Industry Accelerators.
Workshops
- Lunar Construction – Unlocking the Potential of Space Resources.
- Lunar Value Chain – Space Resources as the Foundation of the Lunar Economy.
- Commercial Operations in Orbit: Lessons from the Field – Practical lessons on rethinking limits, navigating rejection, and building commercial paths in orbit.
- Economics of Space Resources – The business case for space resources – focusing on economics and scalability.
- BSGN Industry Accelerator workshops – Opportunities and Barriers for Market Scaling.
The Venue
This year, Space for Inspiration lands at the Bella Center Copenhagen, bringing our community together in a venue designed for meaningful networking, fresh ideas, and shared inspiration.
Set in one of Europe’s most dynamic and well‑connected capitals, the Bella Center Copenhagen offers effortless accessibility alongside the full range of facilities needed for a seamless conference experience, with the advantage of being located in a vibrant, friendly city that consistently ranks among Europe’s leading congress destinations.
Partner Opportunities
Partnering in the event offers a strong platform to reinforce your presence in Europe’s strategic commercial space domains while connecting with over 600 participants from across the global ecosystem. It enables valuable engagement with investors, entrepreneurs, and cross‑sector innovators, along with visibility through the official programme and event‑wide communications. This combination of reach, credibility, and exposure helps organisations strengthen their role in shaping the future of commercial space.
Timeline: Early‑bird pricing available until March 2026; standard rates preferably until June.
Price €950
- 2×2 meter booth with standard furniture, roll‑up banner, and branded stand wall. Premium furniture and/or screen are available at additional cost.
- Logo on exhibition materials and event portal.
- 1 standard conference ticket included
Early bird price €3,500 | Standard price 4,000
- Logo on exhibition materials and event portal.
- Branded video clips across the conference venue networking zone.
- Co‑hosting one coffee break with logo on screen.
- Distributions of your own merchandise during registration.
- 1 standard conference ticket included.
Early bird price €4,500 | Standard price 5,200
Includes all benefits from Level 1, plus:
- 2×2 meter booth with standard furniture, roll‑up banner, and branded stand wall. Premium furniture and/or screen are available at additional cost.
- A partner‑customised marketing post on event social media.
- Co‑hosting both lunches with a prominent logo presence.
- A dedicated 1‑minute project show‑up slot on the main stage.
- Total of 2 standard conference tickets included.
Early bird price €5,500 | Standard price 6,300
Includes all benefits from Level 2, plus:
- Enhanced logo visibility across event materials.
- Co‑hosting visibility across all coffee breaks and lunches.
- Co‑hosting visibility at the dinner and cocktail, including a short speech.
- A 3‑minute project show‑up slot on the main stage.
- Project show‑up slot on the dinner venue.
- Premium exhibition space (3×2 m) with screen, furniture, roll‑up, and printed stand.
- Total of 2 conference & dinner tickets included.
Early bird price €7,500 | Standard price 8,500
Includes all benefits from Level 3, plus:
- Company logo on event merchandise.
- Hosting a programme‑listed session (workshop or keynote).
- A 5‑minute project show‑up slot on the main stage.
- Total of 3 conference & dinner tickets with VIP pass included.
Join the Academic Challenge
As part of the 2026 edition, ESA’s Academic Challenge invites academic teams to submit innovative research concepts with commercialisation potential to shape future space‑enabled markets: microgravity-enabled in-orbit markets and lunar space resources value chain.
The Challenge welcomes universities, research institutes, and academic laboratories based in ESA Member, Cooperating, or Associated States, with proposals led by PhD‑level researchers or above.
Applications are invited under 3 distinct Tracks:
The Academic Challenge is looking for applicants to submit their ideas and concepts under 3 distinct Tracks:
- Track 1: Health & Life Sciences
- Track 2: Advanced Materials & In‑Space Manufacturing
- Track 3: Space Resources – Construction Applications.
Submission deadline is on the 5 June 2026.
Join Space for Inspiration 2026
Early‑bird price for the first 100 tickets
Optional additions
Limited availability | Available with both ticket options
- Executive Pass: Executive lounge access, priority seating, and dedicated networking opportunities – 139 €
- +1 Guest for the Welcome Reception – 139 €
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