From 1 to 9 August 2026, Florence hosted the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, one of the major international events dedicated to space research. With 3,928 abstracts, more than 3,000 participants from 72 countries, 160 scientific sessions and 13 special events, COSPAR 2026 covered a broad scientific programme, from Earth and planetary sciences to astrophysics, space exploration, life sciences and new space technologies.
Space It Up! at COSPAR 2026
More than 30 SIU! researchers presented their work in scientific sessions throughout the Assembly, reflecting the wide range of research and expertise within the program.
The Space It Up! exhibition stand offered visitors a closer look at some of the work being carried out by researchers across the program. The display included a Lunar Pressurized Rover mock-up representing ongoing work by SIU! researchers, as well as 3D-printed components made from a composite material containing lunar regolith simulant. Videos and other visual content provided further examples of the different research topics explored within Space It Up!.
Throughout the week, we welcomed visitors from different countries, curious to discover Space It Up! and how researchers from academia and industry work side by side across the program. Their questions sparked interesting discussions about the work on display and the many areas explored within SIU!.
The stand was also a meeting point for Space It Up! researchers. With many of them in Florence for COSPAR, it was a chance to see each other in person, catch up and discuss their work between sessions.
A special visitor
Among those who stopped by our stand was Italian astronaut Andrea Patassa, a member of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Astronaut Reserve since 2022.
During his visit, we introduced him to Space It Up!, its goals and the work carried out within the program, while showing him some of the work showcased at our stand.
Young researchers sharing their science
COSPAR 2026 also gave several young Space It Up! researchers the chance to present their work directly to visitors. At the stand, they talked about their research, answered questions and explained the ideas and challenges behind their studies in a setting different from a traditional scientific session.
Preity Sukla Sahani (INAF) presented her research on Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun, their interaction with Earth and the modelling of their propagation through space.
Margherita Moretti (Politecnico di Milano) shared her work on using Earth Observation and geospatial data to support the development of photovoltaic systems in urban and suburban areas.
Laura Benvenuti and Chiara Bertini (University of Pisa and University of Trento) explored the effects of Martian gravity on intestinal cells and strategies to counteract these effects.
Giuseppe Prete (University of Calabria) presented his research on space weather, using numerical simulations to study Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), geomagnetic storms and the role of turbulence in the space environment.
COSPAR 2026 left us with new contacts, interesting discussions and plenty of ideas to take forward, as well as the chance to share Space It Up!’s research with an international audience.
