Event brings together international science and space experts in Coimbra

Umr Kelsey Young and the European Space Agency astronaut (ESA) Andreas Mogensen will be among the international experts who will be in Coimbra to discuss the future of space exploration.

“ We're gonna have the figure that's on the front line right now and that's Kelsey Young. She is the chief scientist of the Artemis mission and she is responsible for the lunar mission, both from a scientific point of view and from the point of view of team preparation,” said Expanding World CEO and co-founder of GLEX Summit, Manuel Vaz.

The city of Coimbra will host, on the 29th and 30th, the GLEX Ignition 2026, which will bring together scientists, astronauts and international experts to discuss the challenges of lunar exploration, the search for extraterrestrial life, the evolution of Venus and the role of space technology in protecting the planet.

During the presentation of the event, Manuel Vaz explained that the city of Coimbra was chosen to receive this “global summit of exploration” because it “produces knowledge for centuries”.

“ This edition of GLEX Ignition will reaffirm the historical and future role of Portugal and Coimbra in exploration, bringing together the leading explorers, scientists and innovators from around the world to exchange knowledge and discuss the most pressing issues on the planet,” he added.

Kelsey Young, who has been leading the integration of scientific teams in the programme since 2022 Artemis in NASA flight control operations will address the scientific objectives of the Artemis II mission and the challenges of lunar exploration.

In addition to this American scientist, they will be in Coimbra Andreas Mogensen, who is an astronaut of ESA and former commander of the International Space Station (ISS), as well as Pete Worden, former director of NASA Ames Research Center and current executive director of Breakthrough Initiatives, which include a $100 million project to investigate interstellar travel.

Among the 11 international speakers – who will address the Moon, the exploration of Venus, the search for other habitable planets, the observation of the Earth and the connection between science, culture and ancestral knowledge – still figure Sue Smrekar, responsible for NASA's VIRITAS mission to Venus.

According to the organization, the main program takes place on the 29th, in the Convent San Francisco, while the next day the Coimbra Supernova – Frontiers in Action provides a forum of limited participation, with two conferences and questions from the entrants.

For the mayor of Coimbra, Ana Abrunhosa, this event is for Coimbra an opportunity to bring its researchers, institutions and companies closer to an international community that works in some of the most advanced areas of science and technology.

“Coimbra has knowledge, talent, scientific and technological capacity and companies capable of competing internationally. Our challenge is to transform this knowledge increasingly into innovation, investment, economic activity and qualified employment,” he said.

The rector of the University of Coimbra (UC), Amílcar Falcão, indicated that GLEX Ignition 2026 reinforces Coimbra as a territory of knowledge, innovation and global ambition.

“For the UC, whose strategy has given particular relevance to space areas, this initiative is an opportunity to promote the excellence of research developed in our institution and strengthen links with national and international partners,” he said.

GLEX Ignition 2026 is organized by Expanding World Portugal, in partnership with The Explorers Club in New York, and aims to strengthen the link between the international scientific community and the Coimbra innovation ecosystem.