Events
Mon 19 Oct
- Tue 20 Oct
2026
Luxembourg

NEOSPACE CHALLENGE AND UNIVERSEH STUDENT CONFERENCE

A two-day student programme combining the NeoSpace Challenge and the UNIVERSEH Student Conference on Space Sustainability, alongside NeoSpace Europe 2026.

The NeoSpace Challenge is co-organised by the Luxembourg Space Agency, UNIVERSEH European University, Technoport and Luxembourg AI Factory, with the involvement of the University of Luxembourg and the University of Namur.

Alongside the Challenge, UNIVERSEH organises the Student Conference on Space Sustainability.

Open to Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students, individually or in teams of up to six members. Individual applicants may also be matched with a team.

Apply by 15 September 2026

Register for the Challenge and Student Conference

 

Two days, two complementary experiences

On 19 October, participants will take part in the NeoSpace Challenge, working on a real-world space topic with mentors and industry experts.

On 20 October, they will attend the UNIVERSEH Student Conference on Space Sustainability, where they can present and discuss a previous or current mission concept, activity or research idea.

The two activities are complementary but distinct: the Student Conference contribution is specified separately from the Challenge submission and may be based on previous or current work.

Also on 20 October, selected participants receive full access to NeoSpace Europe 2026, the professional space conference.

Take on the NeoSpace Challenge | 19 October

The Challenge invites Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students, individually or in teams, to submit applications in one of the three areas:

  • Next-Gen Downstream
  • Biotech in Space
  • Space Operations


Each Challenge area includes a broad industry theme and may also feature specific company use cases based on real-world needs.

Participants can either:

  • work on a company-proposed use case, or
  • address the generic Challenge with greater freedom to define their own scope.


Solutions should consider technical, regulatory and economic dimensions, with support from mentors and subject-matter experts.

Selected participants will take part in online webinars and mentoring from 15 to 28 September, before coming together in Luxembourg.

On 19 October, participants will work throughout the day on their selected Challenge during an interdisciplinary hackathon in Luxembourg.

Top-selected Challenge contributions will have the opportunity to pitch on the NeoSpace Europe main stage on 20 October.

Present your work at the UNIVERSEH Student Conference | 20 October

Alongside the Challenge, UNIVERSEH organises the Student Conference on Space Sustainability as part of the two-day student programme.

Applicants specify a previous or current mission concept, activity or research idea, developed individually or as a team, that they wish to present at the conference.

The contribution must relate to one of the three event domains:

  • Next-Gen Downstream 
  • Biotech in Space 
  • Space Operations 

Participants will have the opportunity to present and discuss their work with fellow students, researchers and professionals from the space sector, and receive feedback on their ideas.

Application requirements

Applicants must:

  1. Register individually or as a team. Teams may include up to six members. Individual applicants may be matched with other participants.
  2. Select one of the three Challenge areas for the hackathon: Next-Gen Downstream, Biotech in Space or Space Operations.
  3. Specify the contribution they wish to present at the Student Conference: a previous or current mission concept, activity or research idea related to one of the three event domains.
  4. Submit the following documents:
    • a CV;
    • a document addressing the selected Challenge; and
  • an extended abstract describing the mission concept, activity or research idea to be presented at the Student Conference, prepared using the official template and uploaded as part of the application.

DOWNLOAD THE STUDENT CONFERENCE ABSTRACT TEMPLATE

One application covers the full two-day NeoSpace Challenge and UNIVERSEH Student Conference programme. Selected participants are expected to take part in both days.

Key dates

  • 15 September – application deadline
  • 15–28 September – online preparation, webinars and mentoring
  • 28 September – submission of developed work
  • 2 October – announcement of selected projects
  • 19 October – NeoSpace Challenge and full-day hackathon, followed by a networking event
  • 20 October – UNIVERSEH Student Conference on Space Sustainability + full access to NeoSpace Europe 2026, including selected Challenge pitches on the NeoSpace Europe main stage.

Financial support

Financial support may be available to eligible selected participants taking part in the full programme, subject to the organisers’ conditions.

Support may include:

  • up to €150 towards travel expenses for participants travelling from outside Luxembourg;
  • up to two nights of accommodation, including breakfast;
  • catered lunches.


Selected participants will also receive full access to NeoSpace Europe.

Apply by 15 September 2026

CHOOSE A CHALLENGE. TAKE IT ON. PRESENT YOUR WORK.

More information:
NeoSpace Challenge
NeoSpace Europe 2026

Questions:
info@neospace-europe.lu

View the Official NeoSpace flyer