Hosted by the Venetian Institute of Sciences, Letters and Arts in association with the Interstellar Research Group and the International Academy of Astronautics, the symposium will bring together an interdisciplinary community focused on the future of interstellar exploration.
Our objective is to foster an exchange on various aspects of interstellar travel, including human and robotic exploration, power systems, communications, system reliability, psychology, crew health, anthropology, legal regimes, ethics, propulsion, potential destinations (including exoplanet research), life support systems, and habitats.
Join us and the world’s experts in exoplanet research, advanced space propulsion, power, life support, communications, and more will gather to share their findings and propose innovative solutions to enable our future journeys to planets circling other stars.
We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Venice, Italy!
2-4 December 2026
For more detailed information, please visit the Symposium website at:
https://irg.space/second-european-interstellar-symposium/
2026 Scientific Committee
Paolo Villoresi,
2026 Symposium Chair,
Univ. of Padua and Venetian Institute of Sci. Lett. and Arts, Italy
Les Johnson,
Program Chair, Interstellar Research Group, USA
Patrizia Caraveo,
Italian Institute of Astrophysics and Venetian Institute of Sci. Lett. and Arts, Italy
Joseph Meany,
President, Interstellar Research Group, USA
Andreas Hein,
Univ. of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Roberto Ragazzoni,
Italian Institute of Astrophysics,Univ. of Padua and Venetian Institute of Sci. Lett. and Arts, Italy
Interstellar space is not the domain of any one discipline. It demands insight from across the full spectrum of human knowledge, creativity, and professional practice. While this includes science, engineering, philosophy, communications, media, policy, and the arts, these are only examples.
We welcome contributions from any field, industry, or perspective that helps advance interstellar exploration, understanding, and public engagement.
Abstract Submission Deadline: 31 Jul 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 15 Sep 2026
Space exploration is a multidisciplinary challenge.
For this reason, the symposium is organized with diverse topical sessions:
Astrophysics, objective selection and interstellar medium studies;
Extrasolar object observations;
Spacecraft engineering, propulsion, communications, sustainability;
Crew health, psychology and physiology;
Astrobiology;
Diplomacy, legislation and policy
Interstellar implications, studies of holistic significance.
On Dec. 1st there will also be a seminar half-day: these are 3-hour presentations on a single subject, providing an in depth look at that subject.
All sessions are organized to include a keynote and invited speakers, panels, and posters.
Contributions must be original work that has not been previously published.
If you need assistance please contact support@irg.space
