First Workshop on Advanced Space Chemical, Electric and Nuclear Thrusters (ASCENT)

Program

Format

The First Workshop on Advanced Space Chemical, Electric and Nuclear Thrusters (ASCENT), hosted by the Space Propulsion Laboratory (SPL) of the University of Pisa, will be held in Pisa, Italy, from October 14th to 17th, 2026. The event is intended for students, researchers and engineers.

The workshop will be about Advanced Thrusters for Space Propulsion, covering the three complementary domains of electric, chemical, and nuclear propulsion. Space access and in-space transportation are entering a new era: the growing demand for higher specific impulse, the push toward environmentally sustainable propellants, and the renewed interest in nuclear solutions for deep-space missions are reshaping both the scientific agenda and the industrial landscape. These transitions bring together a rich set of technical, programmatic and regulatory challenges that deserve a joint discussion.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss the latest frontiers of space propulsion research and foster new collaborations. The program will include thematic sessions, panel sessions and a technical visit to an important company active in the space propulsion sector. A poster session will be organized to foster interaction and share ideas between researchers and passionate students of space propulsion. Experimental activities will complement the technical sessions with first-hand knowledge.

The team of the Space Propulsion Laboratory welcomes you to the first edition of the Workshop on Advanced Space Chemical, Electric and Nuclear Thrusters!

Venue

Register here (available soon)