Live Poll — IAC 2026 SpS
Scan during the session to vote live
menti.com · code announced live at session start
Scan during the session to vote live
menti.com · code announced live at session start
77th International Astronautical Congress · Antalya, Türkiye · 5–9 October 2026
A Fishbowl Special Session examining why ADR has not yet transitioned from technology demonstrations to an operational space infrastructure protection capability.
Funded by the European Union — EIC Pathfinder Challenge 2024: Strengthening the Sustainability and Resilience of EU Space Infrastructure (Horizon Europe programme).
Session Panelists
Stella Tkatchova
Former EIC Programme Manager
Moderator
Máximo Roa
Head of Orbital Robotics
DLR — German Aerospace Center
Prof. Miguel Olivares-Mendez
Head of Space Robotics Research Group
University of Luxembourg
Tim Flohrer
Head of Space Debris Office
ESA — European Space Agency
Andrew Faiola
Commercial Vice President
Astroscale
João Lupi
Co-Head of Space & Satellites
Abreu Advogados
Organizing Committee
Fernando Ruiz Vincueria
Principal Investigator, STRATOLASER
Founder, FRV Space Technologies
Johannes Bünz
Portfolio Officer
European Innovation Council
Frédéric Voulouzan
Program Manager — Space
EIC / EISMEA — European Commission
Julien Le Romancer
CTO & Co-founder
Osmos X
Leonard Felicetti
Lecturer in Space Engineering
Cranfield University
Adam Baker
Senior Project Engineer
Magdrive Space
Céline Dubron
Project Manager
Arcsec Space
Jennifer Kingston
Senior Lecturer in Space Systems
Cranfield University
Jaan Praks
Associate Professor
Aalto University
Aníbal Ollero
Director, GRVC Robotics Laboratory
Universidad de Sevilla
David Tellet
Spacecraft Propulsion
Magdrive Space
Sergio de Florio
Head of On-Orbit Servicing & Autonomous Spaceflight Lab
TU Berlin
Tony Erdmann
Lecturer & Researcher
TU Berlin
Michele Maestrini
Assistant Professor
SPIRE · Politecnico di Milano
Jorge Rodríguez Rubio
AI & Software Engineer
STRATOLASER
Manuel Sanjurjo-Vivo
Orbit Dynamics Team Lead
NorthStar Earth & Space
About the Session
Active Debris Removal (ADR) is widely recognised as a key enabler for the long-term sustainability of space activities, yet it remains largely confined to technology demonstrations and isolated missions. This Special Session moves beyond technical readiness discussions to address a systemic question: why has ADR not yet become an operational space infrastructure protection capability, and what are the barriers to the development of a sustainable market?
The session uses the EIC Pathfinder Challenge WP2024 portfolio as a case study to explore transversal barriers, while explicitly opening the discussion to the wider international community. Rather than focusing on individual mission concepts, it examines pro-active portfolio management, project synergies, and the technology, market and operational risks — including economic viability and decision-making authority — that must be resolved for ADR to scale.
Through a highly interactive fishbowl format driven by live polling, participants will discuss the roles of public institutions versus commercial actors, and realistic ADR objectives over the next 10, 20 and 30 years. The session brings together technical, programmatic, and economic perspectives, designed to complement — not duplicate — traditional technical sessions within the Space Debris symposium.
EIC Pathfinder Challenge 2024
The EIC Pathfinder Challenge "Strengthening the Sustainability and Resilience of EU Space Infrastructure" funded seven projects with a combined budget of approximately €28M under the Horizon Europe programme. These projects form the portfolio context for this Special Session.
A stratospheric balloon-hosted laser platform for debris remediation. Operating above the atmosphere avoids turbulence, scattering, and enables UV wavelength operation. The mission progresses from ranging and nudging to full laser ablation for de-orbiting — at a fraction of the cost and complexity of space-based architectures.
Ion beam gun based on electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) technology to de-orbit debris via contactless ion blowing. Targets fragments down to millimetre size, including post-collision debris clouds.
Onboard sensor suite using innovative dynamic vision sensors with novel data processing pipelines for real-time space situational awareness and satellite self-monitoring in orbit.
Robotic tools to dismantle dysfunctional satellites in orbit and reuse their structural components — including converting aluminium into propellant. Reframes space debris as a resource rather than a hazard.
Bio-inspired capture payload using gecko-inspired micro-patterned dry adhesives and tether-based mechanisms to dock with non-cooperative, tumbling debris for controlled re-entry or recycling.
PIC-based LiDAR transmitter for in-situ detection and characterisation of small debris objects. Addresses the fundamental gap in cataloguing centimetre-scale debris populations.
Solar weather forecasting mission concept to improve prediction of space weather events affecting orbital decay rates, satellite lifetimes, and the evolution of the debris population.
Session Structure
The session combines a fishbowl discussion format with live audience polling. For each thematic round, the audience answers a live poll; results are displayed in real time and used to trigger the debate. Audience members may dynamically join the fishbowl.
Live Poll
The session uses Mentimeter for live polling. Scan the QR code during the session to vote. Results will be projected live and used to guide the fishbowl discussion.
Scan during the session to vote
menti.com · code shared live at session start
11 poll questions across three thematic rounds — Technology, Governance & Economics, and Market & Future Horizons:
Q1. Which ADR architecture is most likely to achieve the lowest cost at scale in the long term?
Q2. What is the main technical bottleneck for scaling contact ADR from single missions to routine operations?
Q3. What is the main technical uncertainty limiting non-contact (e.g. laser) ADR methods?
Q4. What is the main factor (not only technical) preventing ADR from becoming operational today?
Q5. Does a pro-active portfolio-based research approach accelerate ADR progress?
Q6. Who should decide when ADR is needed?
Q7. Who should primarily pay for ADR operations?
Q8. What is realistically achievable for ADR?
Q9. Is there a credible future market for commercial ADR and in-orbit recycling?
Q10. Should ADR be managed through an international body funded by mandatory contributions, similar to carbon pricing?
Q11. What are the barriers and opportunities for space SMEs and start-ups to attract private funding for debris remediation?
Congress Information
IAC 2026 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye — the first time the congress is hosted in Türkiye. Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and co-hosted by the SAHA İstanbul Aerospace Cluster. Theme: "The World Needs More Space."
Dates
5–9 October 2026
City
Antalya, Türkiye
Venue
NEST Convention Center
Special Session
8 Oct · 16:15–17:30
Contact
Questions about the session, speaker invitations, or media enquiries — reach the lead organizer directly.