Published on April 17, 2026
IAC 2026 Special Sessions Announced
18 Bold Concepts Selected
18 outstanding concepts, selected from a highly competitive pool of 74 submissions - have been chosen to shape the Special Sessions track at the IAC 2026 Technical Programme.
To everyone who submitted: thank you and congratulations! The ambition, creativity, and confidence reflected in your proposals are a powerful reminder of the dynamism driving the global space community forward.
The selected sessions are intentionally diverse and boldly interdisciplinary. Highlights include explorations of diagnostic imaging for deep space, cutting-edge material science challenges, live stratospheric missions for public engagement, AI-enabled space traffic management, and timely debates on governance and nuclear propulsion. The programme also features discussions on the current state-of-the-art in microgravity research, focusing on the most promising applications and pressing challenges in advanced materials and biotech manufacturing in space. Attendees will take part in immersive simulations, including planetary defense scenarios designed to unfold in real time. The full session lineup is available HERE:
This year鈥檚 format moves again beyond traditional presentations. Sessions will be interactive and participatory, ranging from fishbowl discussions and design sprints to debates and competitions, ensuring that every participant is actively engaged.
Expect intensity, exchange, and collaboration, where every voice contributes on equal footing.
Each selected session stands out for its originality in both content and format, bridging technical depth with strategic perspective while fostering meaningful dialogue. These are experiences designed not only to inform, but to challenge and connect.
18 remarkable Special Sessions, distinct, thought-provoking, and essential.