Catalog

Technical programme

IAC-26 — 77th International Astronautical Congress

A2. IAF MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES AND PROCESSES SYMPOSIUM

The objective of the Microgravity Science and Processes Symposium, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), is to highlight and discuss the state of the art in microgravity (reduced-gravity) physical sciences and processes, as well as to prepare for future orbital infrastructure. Session topics cover all microgravity science disciplines (material science, fluid physics, combustion science, fundamental physics), current results and research perspectives, together with relevant technology developments.

Coordinator

Angelika Diefenbach
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

Remi Canton
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) — France

Qiu-Sheng Liu
Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences — China

A2.1. Fundamental Physics in Low Gravity

This session is devoted to low gravity and microgravity experiments addressing research in fundamental physics. Focus areas include quantum physics, soft matter and general relativity.

Co-Chair

Thomas Driebe
DLR (German Aerospace Center) — Germany

Vladimir Pletser
Blue Abyss — United Kingdom

A2.2. Fluid and Materials Sciences

The main focus of the session is on perspective research fields in fluid and materials sciences, multi-phase and chemically reacting flows including theoretical modeling, numerical simulations, and results of pathfinder laboratory and space experiments.

Co-Chair

Nickolay N. Smirnov
Lomonosov Moscow State University — Russian Federation

Qi Kang
National Microgravity Laboratory, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. — China

A2.3. Microgravity Experiments from Sub-Orbital to Orbital Platforms Science

This session presents recent results of microgravity experiments from all disciplines using different microgravity platforms, including drop towers, parabolic aircrafts, sounding rockets and capsules.

Co-Chair

Raffaele Savino
University of Naples "Federico II" — Italy

Rainer Willnecker
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

Rapporteur: Vladimir Pletser
Blue Abyss — United Kingdom

A2.4. Microgravity Experiments on board of Suborbital Platforms and Space Stations

This session is focused on the results of ground based preparatory experiments from all disciplines in physical sciences.

Co-Chair

Valentina Shevtsova
University of Mondragon — Spain

Antonio Viviani
Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" — Italy

Rapporteur: Nickolay N. Smirnov
Lomonosov Moscow State University — Russian Federation

A2.5. Facilities and Operations of Microgravity Experiments

This session is devoted to new diagnosis developments, the design and definition of new instruments and space platforms, and the concepts for future ground and flight operation (telescience, robotics, hardware & software).

Co-Chair

Qiu-Sheng Liu
Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences — China

Remi Canton
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) — France

A2.6. Microgravity Sciences on board of Space stations

This session focusses on the presentation of scientific and operational results obtained from microgravity sciences research conducted on large orbital platforms, in particular the ISS, the Chinese Space Station (CSS) and upcoming commercial space stations. Papers on planned or newly developed research topics and experiment scenarios are also invited. The session comprises the preparation scenarios for further long-term flight opportunities beyond low Earth orbits such as the Deep Space Gateway station.

Co-Chair

Angelika Diefenbach
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

MengYun Chen
Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences — China

Rapporteur: Thomas Driebe
DLR (German Aerospace Center) — Germany

A2.7. Life and Physical Sciences under reduced Gravity

This session focusses on the presentation of scientific and operational results obtained from life and physical sciences research conducted on large orbital platforms, in particular the ISS, the Chinese Space Station (CSS) and upcoming commercial space stations. Papers on planned or newly developed research topics and experiment scenarios are also invited. The session comprises the preparation scenarios for further long-term flight opportunities beyond low Earth orbits such as the Deep Space Gateway station.

Co-Chair

Angelika Diefenbach
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

Remi Canton
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) — France

Rapporteur: Peter Graef
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

A2.8. In-Space Manufacturing and Production Applications

In-Space Manufacturing and Production Applications leverage microgravity, vacuum, and orbital environments to unlock pathways in biomedicine, advanced materials, and autonomous production that are impractical on Earth. This session convenes practitioners advancing: bioprocessing (cell and tissue expansion, organoid and disease models, protein crystallization, biologics and nucleic-acid manufacturing); materials (defect-suppressed alloys, ultra-low-loss optical fibers, semiconductor epitaxy, glass/ceramic processing); and production architectures (additive and hybrid manufacturing, in-space assembly, robotic autonomy, digital twins, in-process metrology, and closed-loop resource use). Emphasis is placed on flight-demonstrated results, scaling from parabolic and ISS/pathfinder missions to commercial platforms, and on standards, certification, biosafety, and traceability needed for quality and repeatability. The session aims to share methods, lessons learned, and roadmaps that reduce risk and cost, enable interoperability across platforms, and build resilient supply chains. By integrating biology, materials science, automation, and operations, the community will translate microgravity advantages into reliable production capabilities that accelerate exploration and deliver high-value products for terrestrial markets.

Co-Chair

Fathi Karouia
NASA Ames Research Center, Blue Marble Space Institute Of Science; BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado Boulder — United States

David Estrada
Boise State University (BSU) — United States

Rapporteur: Albert Houcine TOUATI
Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA) — France

A2.IP. Interactive Presentations - IAF MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES AND PROCESSES SYMPOSIUM

This session offers a unique opportunity to deliver your key messages in an interactive presentation on any of the subjects of Microgravity Sciences and Processes addressed in the classic Sessions. The presentation will be displayed on a digital screen in a dedicated location and available for view by all Congress attendees for the entire Congress week. In addition, one afternoon is dedicated exclusively for the attendees to view the Interactive Presentations, and the author will be assigned a specific ten minute slot to personally present the topic and interact with the attendees present. The Interactive Presentation may take advantage of all electronic display capabilities, such as: PowerPoint charts, embedded hot links, pictures, audio and video clips etc. An award will also be presented to the author of the best Interactive Presentation in the A Category at a special ceremony. An Abstract that follows the standard format must be submitted by the deadline for standard IAC abstracts.

Co-Chair

Angelika Diefenbach
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

Remi Canton
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) — France

Rapporteur: Qiu-Sheng Liu
Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences — China