Celebrating the Success of the ASCenSIon Conference!

We are thrilled to share the remarkable success of the ASCenSIon Conference, a gathering that showcased the culmination of years of hard work and dedication within the ASCenSIon project and beyond. The project was funded by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant (GA. Nr: 860956). The project was in itself one of the lighthouse projects of Technische Universität Dresden.

This international conference, organized and hosted at TU Dresden from September 12 to 14, 2023, was a testament to the project's achievements and the collaborative spirit of its participants. With approximately 100 attendees from around the world, the conference welcomed a diverse and knowledgeable community of academics, industry representatives and students, which created a vibrant atmosphere for discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking.

The heart of ASCenSIon conference lay in its engaging technical presentations. The conference had not one but two parallel tracks, where a total of 60 technical presentations took place. These presentations covered a wide range of topics contributing to the advancement of space access capabilities. The depth and breadth of knowledge shared in these sessions truly highlighted the project's objectives. A special highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Dr. Vitali Braun, who delivered an enlightening talk on the pressing issues of space debris and clean space. His insights and expertise enriched our understanding of these critical challenges in space exploration.

The conference also featured stimulating panel discussions. These discussions delved into key subjects such as PhD training, sustainable space access, launcher start-ups, green propulsion, and innovative doctoral network training. These panels allowed experts to exchange ideas, share experiences, and provide valuable insights into these vital areas of space research and training.

In conclusion, the ASCenSIon Conference was a resounding success that brought together a global community dedicated to advancing space access capabilities. The knowledge shared, connections made, and discussions held during this event will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the field of space research. This event highlighted the success and potential of Doctoral network initiatives in nurturing and producing the next generation of space scientists and leaders.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for making the ASCenSIon conference a success.