Izabela Kowalska- Leszczyńska graduated in astronomy from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw. There she obtained a Ph.D. in physics, presenting a thesis related to the subject of gravitational waves. Since 2017, she has been an employee of the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences, where she studies the influence of the Sun on the properties of the heliosphere. As a member of the scientific team of the GLOWS experiment, she is responsible for developing methods for calibrating the instrument once it is in orbit. Associate Professor at Space Research Centre – Polish Academy of Sciences.

Remco Timmermans is an independent online marketing and social media specialist for the international space sector. He is a well-known space influencer and mentor to aspiring space communicators. He is the founder of his own space marketing agency Spaceside OÜ, a faculty member of the International Space University and a vice chair and symposium chair of the IAF Space Education and Outreach Committee. Remco designs and runs creative online campaigns for space organisations, both in academic, government and commercial space. He is a founding member of the Space Communications Alliance, that brings together media, PR and communications professionals in the space industry. Remco has an undergraduate degree in business administration and mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in business sciences, and he is a graduate of the International Space University Space Studies Program, where he also periodically teaches space management and business, with an emphasis on marketing and communication.

Mary Murphy is the Principal Mission Manager at Voyager Technologies (formerly Nanoracks), where she has supported hundreds of launched payloads and contributed to the development of several platforms, chief among them Bishop Airlock. With over a decade of experience in payload integration, launch logistics, microgravity operations and technology demonstration, she has played a pioneering role in commercial access to space, helping shape the industry’s mission management practices. Her work spans both legacy platforms like the ISS and the emerging commercial successors that will define the next era of human activity in low Earth orbit. Mary serves on both the Oxford Space Initiatives Advisory Council as well as the Commercial Service Providers Subcommittee for the ISS National Lab User Advisory Group. Before her tenure at Nanoracks, Mary worked as a Program Engineer and Project Manager at Advanced Technology Systems Company, a Teaching Fellow in Project Engineering and Manufacturing at the University of Maryland, and an Assistant Project Manager and Bid Coordinator at Sun Control Systems. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Deputy Marshal of the Małopolska Province for the sixth term (2018-2024). Provincial Councilor for the fifth term (2014-2018). Since November 2015, he has been the head of the office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Construction, participating in the most important projects for the Małopolska Province in the field of road and rail infrastructure. Previously, he was the director of the office of the Provincial Association of Volunteer Fire Departments of the Republic of Poland and the coordinator of the Małopolska Regional Operational Program project concerning the purchase of specialized equipment to strengthen the rescue capabilities of Małopolska firefighters. He continues to be socially involved in the development of volunteer fire departments and local associations. He graduated from the University of Agriculture in Krakow with a degree in Agricultural and Forestry Engineering. During his studies, he was an active member of the student council, worked in the Student Research Club, and sat on the Senate of the University of Agriculture.

Julia Gościańska-Łowińska , PhD, Eng., has specialized in the development and implementation of modern technologies since 2008. For over 15 years, she was a researcher at a research institute and the Łukasiewicz Institute, where she gained over 10 years of management experience, serving, among other roles, as director of both institutions. As a member of international project consortia, she has participated in the European Commission’s research framework programmes, including major European initiatives supporting digital transformation and the development of robotics in the agri-food sector. She is the author of publications and patents in the field of mechanical engineering and serves as a European Commission expert on the evaluation of international projects and cascade financing (FSTP). Julia currently serves as Director of the Kąkolewo Campus at Poznan University of Technology —a research and implementation site for cutting-edge space technologies — and as an adjunct professor at the Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence. She is also the ESA Phi-Lab Poland Local Manager, a member of the ESA Spaceship Poland team, and a member of the Polish Space Professionals Association (PSPA).

Dominykas (Dom) Milašius is a DeepTech entrepreneur and investor with over a decade of previous experience in strategic and geopolitical risk advisory across EMEA. As co-founder of Delta Biosciences, he spearheads commercial and partnership strategies for medchem and space verticals, leading in-orbit testing and a landmark space medicine mission to the ISS in 2026. Dom serves on the European Business Angel Network (EBAN) Space & Defence Committee, is a member of LitBAN and an alumnus of the Paris Institute of Political Studies.

Dr Anna Łosiak is a researcher at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, planetary geologist specializing in the study of the surface of Mars and impact craters on Earth. A graduate of the University of Warsaw, Michigan State University, and the University of Vienna. Ania is a Fulbright Scholar, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship recipient, and she has received grants from the National Science Center and the Foundation for Polish Science. She has also interned at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, a research institute at NASA in Houston. Ania is the ERC Science Jury Coordinator and the designer of Marsyard, the track used for the European Rover Challenge rover competition.

Krzysztof Kanawka, PhD, graduate of AGH, Fachhoschule Muenster and Imperial College London. Currently, he serves as the president of the management board of Blue Dot Solutions, an SME operating in the space sector in Poland. Krzysztof’s activities focus mainly on the practical use of satellite data, i.e. on telecommunications applications, GNSS, EO and technological analyzes of the space sector. Moreover, since 2016, Krzysztof and his team have been supporting other technology startups in the form of the Space3ac business accelerator. Since then, the accelerator has supported over 150 technology startups from around the world. The accelerator usually operates in an “equity-free” form and provides contacts with the industry.

Maksymilian Brzezicki, BSc MB ChB DPhil – academic medical doctor in the field of neurology and functional neurosurgery, working at the University of Oxford and at the Department of Neural Engineering and Space Medicine of the University of Zielona Góra, cooperates with the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the University of Heidelberg. He trained in medicine at Oxford (academic) and Bristol (clinical). His scientific interests include electrical neuroengineering, space medicine and rare diseases. His research focuses on the objective quantification of neurological disorders, especially in extreme conditions and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Tomasz Banyś is a dedicated science communicator, at the helm of EC1 Planetarium in Lodz, Poland as its manager since 2020. Prior to this, he spent many years creating and managing its science communication team. He leverages his extensive academic, coaching, scientific, and journalistic background to convey complex knowledge about the Universe in a simple way.

Adrianna Bocheńska, who holds a master’s degree in photonics, is a project manager with many years of experience in the field of information technology, implementation, and innovation. She currently works as a Chief Specialist in the Research and Innovation Department of the Polish Space Agency, where she is responsible for implementing new tech solutions, cooperating with the sector, and activities in the field of space transport. She also coordinates the Polish internship program at the European Space Agency – NTP. She combines technical knowledge with experience in managing complex and international projects.

Aleksander Masłowski is a Project Manager at MDA Space in the United Kingdom. He graduated as Aerospace Engineer from the Warsaw University of Technology and received Master degree in Space Engineering and Robotics at the University of Surrey. He has dedicated his entire career to space technologies, with a particular focus on space robotics. At MDA Space he works on optical sensors which are dedicated for new space market linked to the Moon’s and IOSM missions. In the past, he was a participant of University Rover Challenge and European Rover Challenge. Currently, as a member of Polish Space Professionals Association he is now a judge at ERC. His dream is to develop systems that will aid us in the exploration of the universe and ensure sustainable life on Earth.

Jarosław Chojnacki is a Technology Broker at the European Space Agency and a Project Manager at the Krakow Technology Park. For over eight years, he has been supporting the development of startups and companies implementing innovative space technologies, including dual-use solutions, focusing on their commercialization in both the civilian and defense markets. He specializes in technology transfer, securing financing (including ESA Spark Funding), and building business relationships between the space sector and other industries. Jarosław has extensive experience in implementing projects related to the acceleration and incubation of deeptech and ICT startups. He coordinates programs supporting innovation, the development of young companies, and the implementation of groundbreaking technologies in the market. As a mentor and expert, he has participated in numerous acceleration programs and industry hackathons. He represents the Krakow Technology Park on the Małopolska Space Sector Council, where he co-creates the regional industry development strategy and integrates the innovation ecosystem. Jarosław is a member of the Association of Polish Space Professionals. He actively connects the space and defense sectors, initiating collaborations and projects at the intersection of these two areas, strengthening the position of Małopolska and Poland on the European space innovation map.

We are delighted to welcome back Katarzyna Głuchowska as the host and moderator of the European Rover Challenge 2025. She has been part of the ERC story since its first edition in 2014, when she joined the team as a simultaneous interpreter and provider of interpreting services. Over the past decade, she has hosted and moderated a wide range of high-profile events — from international science and technology forums, innovation and aerospace conferences, to climate, energy transition and ESG summits. Her portfolio includes the TOGETAIR International Climate Summit, the ESG Congress: Poland’s Business Power, GS1 Poland – The Code of Innovation, and conferences organised under the auspices of Poland’s Presidency in the Council of the European Union. As a seasoned conference interpreter for English and French, she has worked with heads of state, business leaders, scientists, and astronauts — including Dr. Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 astronaut and geologist. Known for her engaging style and ability to connect experts with audiences, she ensures every conversation at ERC is dynamic, insightful, and memorable.

Kamila Kabo-bah, Doctor of Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Geography at Nanjing Normal University in China, specializes in Space Technology, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, Cartography and Space Weather Forecast. Co-Founder of the Earth Observation Research and Innovation Center in Ghana and has served as the Ground Segment and International Cooperation Manager for the COSMIC-2/FORMOSAT-7 Satellite Mission with NOAA, NASA, ATLAS SPACE OPERATIONS, UCAR, SPACE X in the USA, NSPO in Taiwan, and government representatives in Ghana. Pioneer and organizer of the Science Festival in African countries and advisor to the Minister of Education in Ghana for improving the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. She is a long-standing member of the Group on Earth Observation (GEO and AfriGEO). Currently, she works as a specialist in satellite navigation and communication at the Polish Space Agency, focusing on GNSS signal disruptions. She is also a member of the European Commission’s working groups on GNSS disruptions. Outside of her professional work, she is an enthusiast of astronomy, classical music, mountain climbing, and exotic travel.

Nicolas Peter is Senior Policy Advisor in the Cabinet of the European Space Agency (ESA) Director General where among others he is involved in the development of a new initiative with Higher Educations Institutions (HEIs) to be presented at the 2025 ESA Council at Ministerial Level. Mr. Peter has been seconded by ESA to the International Space University (ISU) where he was Acting President and also served as Professor of practice in Space Policy and International Affairs. At ISU he headed the ISU Incubator and launched the “Space Policy and Entrepreneurship lab” (SPEL) which was dedicated to researching issues and trends in space policy and the space economy worldwide. Prior to his appointment at ISU, Nicolas Peter was the Head of International Affairs at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) where he led the development of the first internationalization strategy for the organisation. Prof. Peter has also been working at the European Commission supporting the 2016 EC Space Strategy development and other initiatives linked to space policy, space research, and entrepreneurship. He also worked at ESA in the Director General’s Cabinet and Strategy department including on the development of Agenda 2015–or the space exploration strategy for Europe–as well as the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), the George Washington University’s (GWU) Space Policy Institute, and was a Research Fellow at the X-PRIZE Foundation. Prof. Peter has 20+ years of international experience in space policy on 4 continents and 8 countries. He has published over 120 reports, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences related to space activities. He has also co-edited three books on space affairs. Prof. Peter is on the Editorial Board of the New Space Journal and is a regular peer-reviewer for the Journal’s Space Policy and Acta Astronautica. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E) and is an Honorary Board Member of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and a winner of the inaugural IAF Young Space Leaders award. Nicolas Peter holds a Bachelor of Geography from the Louis Pasteur University (ULP) (Strasbourg, France), and 2 Master’s degrees in Space Systems and Environment and in Space Technology Applications from ULP. He is also a graduate from ISU’s Master in Space Studies program and holds a Master of International Science and Technology Policy from GWU’s Elliott School of International Affairs (Washington D.C., USA). He attended business Executive Education courses on policy evaluation, strategy development, strategic performance management and prospectives at ESSEC (France) (2), HEC (France), Cranfield (UK) and the Manchester Business School (UK). He has been selected to be an auditor of the French Institute for Advanced Studies in National Defence (IHEDN) National session 2025-2026.

Justyna Redelkiewicz is the CEO & Founder of GoCosmic!, an advisory firm focused on commercialising deep tech innovations. A former EU official and seasoned business developer, she brings over 20 years of experience across IT, deep tech, and satellite technologies. Justyna has supported hundreds of startups in harnessing space-based technologies to disrupt industries and drive scalable growth. Recognised as a Strong Woman in IT, she led the EU’s flagship €1 billion Cassini initiative at the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), empowering entrepreneurship in the space sector. As a market innovator in downstream space technologies, she partnered with leading European corporations to advance innovation through satellite data and business intelligence. She also serves on the Space Executive Committee of the European Business Angel Network. Prior to joining EUSPA and founding her own start-up, she held business development roles at Toshiba, Nestlé, and Comarch. A passionate advocate for personal growth, Justyna studied at Columbia Business School, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, and Poznań University of Economics, and is a visiting lecturer at the International Space University.

Tolga Ors is the managing Director of New Space Consulting Ltd. He has a MSc and PhD in Satellite Communications from the University of Surrey. He worked for over 25 years in the space sector, which includes companies like Intelsat, Inmarsat, CGI, AST SpaceMobile, OneWeb, Future AI and Robotics for Space (FAIR-Space) hub, Alan Turing Institute, and Team Tumbleweed. For 3 years he has delivered space solutions to reduce poverty and save lives (one example is the use of Earth Observation and Satcom after natural disasters). He specializes in technology transfer, public-private partnerships as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in space. The objective of his company New Space Consulting is to accelerate the growth of transformative space and AI technologies by empowering startups to bridge the gap between ideas and sustainable implementation. Tolga frequently writes LinkedIn articles about New Space startups, sharing his insights and spotlighting emerging companies.

Justyna Średzińska is an education expert with a specialization in astrophysics at the European Space Education Resource Office ESERO-Poland, coordinated by the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. A graduate of the University of Bialystok, with specialization in theoretical physics. In the years 2013-2018, she conducted research in the field of astrophysics at the Astronomical Center of Nicolaus Copernicus PAS. Member of the Polish Astronomical Society and the Polish Space Professionals Association. Analog astronaut. In 2021 she trained at the Analog Astronaut Training Center in Krakow, as a member of the Kepleria mission. As part of the European Space Education Resource Office, ESERO-Polska organizes conferences, workshops, series of meetings for teachers in Poland. Facilitator of space topics at all stages of formal and informal education. Justyna leads a team of several dozen educators as part of the Space Education Ambassador Program. She prepares educational materials and conducts various activities to develop knowledge in the field of astronomy, astrophysics and space technologies, as well as competitions of the European Space Agency (ESA) addressed to children and teenagers. She coordinates the European Astro Pi Challenge, in which children and teenagers send their own codes to the International Space Station, and the European Moon Camp Challenge, in which children and teenagers design lunar habitats in 3-D technology. An important element of her work and taken actions is the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Especially goal no. 5 – gender equality. Justyna conducts a series of meetings called “Galaxy of Women”, during which she talks with experts in the fields of STE(A)M and business, with particular attention to the space sector. These interviews become an inspiration for young women and a base for interesting and diverse career paths. Last year, together with experts from the space sector, she developed workshops “Career in the space sector” addressed to secondary schools students, and now she organises them in different Polish cities. Justyna combines work with her passion for night sky observations, painting and photography of extreme natural phenomena such as lightning.

Magdalena Pilska-Piotrowska is the Director of the Olsztyn Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory, a certified science communicator, and a cultural manager. She holds degrees in biology and geography. Her professional career has been devoted to the popularization of natural sciences—first at the Planetarium of the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum in Frombork, and later in Olsztyn. She is the author of over a dozen original astronomical projections and conducts lectures, workshops, and sky shows. She is a member of the Polish Meteoritical Society and the Polish Astrobiological Society.

Tibor Pacher is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at the Puli Space Technologies Ltd. – a full service lunar water ice prospecting company. Tibor, trained as a PhD physicist (Budapest, Heidelberg), has a 10-years academic career, with numerous publications on General Relativity, Cosmology, and Quantum Chemistry topics. He has also a solid background in management and financial accounting consultancy (15+ years), and conducted many projects in 18 countries on 4 continents. Tibor is a dedicated advocate for a coordinated international lunar resource prospecting campaign. Since the founding of Puli Space in 2010 he is relentlessly working on the first Hungarian Moon missions. Puli is developing a range of lunar exploration technologies, including the NASA award-winning Puli Lunar Water Snooper (PLWS), a rugged, micro-sized, neutron spectrometer and its own low-cost, lightweight planetary rover platform with unique mobility capabilities. Puli’s first lunar payload, the Puli SpaceTime Plaque, was flown on the Peregrine Mission 1 of Astrobotic early 2024. On the IM-2 Mission of Intuitive Machines to the Lunar South Pole region in March 2025 the Puli Lunar Water Snooper became the first ever Hungarian instrument to land and operate on the Moon.

Innovation catalyst – Climate/Space, NASA Datanaut, and Smart Space Guest Lecturer Saïd Business School University of Oxford. Laura is a founding member of the Oxford Space Initiative which examines space commerce and governance ia a social sciences lens. Previously she served on the U.S. State Department Advisory Subcommittee for Technology and Innovation/Public Private Partnerships. Laura was named a 2021 Top 50 Leader in Space Tech. Laura’s a TED Speaker and was a TED Resident, as well as a UC Irvine, Living Systems Collaboratory and Buckminster Fuller Design Science Studio Resident. She consults and speaks globally on sustainable systems innovation. Example talks: Indo Pacific Earth and Space Summit in Perth – Satellite Data for Disaster Management, and COP28 in Dubai -Investing in Space to Support Climate Action.

Anna Krzyzanowska is an electrical engineer, working as a Senior Specialist in Printed Electronics group at Danish Technological Institute. She has acquired several years of experience in various aspects of electrical engineering and printed electronics. Trying to create a bridge between standard and printed technology. From programming programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to designing PCBs, working with printed technology, her technical prowess allows her to navigate the complex challenges with ease. One of her focus areas is structural monitoring using printed sensors for drones and airplanes. Being a specialist in this field enables me to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in the aerospace industry. For example: her role in the avatar project is to design, produce and test a multi-sensing skin for structural monitoring for drones and airplanes. Using her excellent expertise in the field of sensors and nanotechnology, allows her to prepare the best possible solution. One of Anna’s standout areas of specialization is wearables technology and digital health, particularly in the realm of remote patient monitoring. Her in-depth knowledge and experience in this field have enabled her to contribute significantly to advancements in healthcare technology, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Anna’s passion for space exploration is truly awe-inspiring. She has been actively involved in various Space projects, collaborating with prestigious organizations such as the European Space Agency. Apart from working at the Institute, Anna is part of a project aimed at building a launchpad for space rockets in Europe. Her diligent work and technical acumen have solidified her position as a specialist in space electronics.

Piotr Dunst graduate of the Poznań University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Physics. Doctoral dissertation related to generating precise atomic time scale using laboratory time and frequency standards. Since 2012, he has been working at the Time and Frequency Laboratory of the Astrogeodynamic Observatory of the Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN) in the time service, implementing numerous projects related to the use and transfer of precise time and frequency signals.

Dr. Krzysztof Walas (IRMI, PUT) graduated from Poznan University of Technology (PUT) in Poland, obtaining an MSc in Automatic Control and Robotics. He received a Ph.D. in Robotics in 2012 (with honors) for his thesis on legged robot locomotion in structured environments. He completed his postdoc at the University of Birmingham, School of Computer Science, and the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory. He is a recipient of the LIDER project from the National Center for Research and Development and was a Principal Investigator (PI) in the THING project on subterranean-legged locomotion within Horizon 2020. He also serves as a PI in the REMODEL project on deformable object manipulation within Horizon 2020. Presently, he holds the position of Robotics Team Leader at IDEAS-NCBR and Assistant Professor at the Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence at PUT, Poland. Krzysztof Walas has been a European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) member since February 2024. In June 2024, he was elected to the board of directors of the AI, Data, and Robotics Association (ADRA). His research interests revolve around robotic perception for physical interaction, applied to both walking and grasping tasks. He was co-PI at ESA OSIP Cognition – Distributed Data System for Lunar Activities Processing. He is also involved in ESA&POLSA Polish activities to fly on ISS, with a scene reconstruction experiment on a space-grade Data Processing Unit. Finally, he is co-leading the creation of ESA SpaceShip at PUT.

Paweł Ziemnicki has been involved in space since 2011, when he began working at the Heavens of Copernicus Planetarium at the Warsaw’s Copernicus Science Centre. He currently serves as Office Manager of the Space Industry Employers’ Association. As a journalist, he has interviewed, among others, the head of the European Space Agency (ESA), the head of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), and a NASA astronaut who visited the Moon in 1972 as part of the Apollo 17 mission. He is the author of the book “Cosmos: A Star Journey,” a guide to the solar system for children and youth.

Bogusława Marszał serves as a Contracts Officer at ESA BIC Poland, responsible for most of the incubator’s operational processes. She is involved in the recruitment and evaluation of applications for the ESA BIC Poland incubation program. Bogusława is responsible for the incubator’s internal administrative and financial processes and for ongoing monitoring of the incubation progress of startups covered by the ESA BIC Poland program.

Dr. Klaudia Proniewska is a leading biomedical engineer and medical physicist whose work bridges cutting-edge technology with clinical practice. She specializes in immersive and functional imaging solutions that transform both medical education and patient care. She is Director of the Center for Digital Medicine and Robotics at the Jagiellonian University Medical College and Head of the Functional and Virtual 3D Medical Imaging Laboratory in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at University Hospital in Kraków. Her research centers on the integration of mixed, augmented, and virtual reality into healthcare—advancing 3D visualization tools that enhance anatomical understanding, surgical training, and clinical decision-making. Dr. Proniewska earned her habilitation (DSc) in medical sciences for her pioneering work, Immersive Technologies and Functional Imaging in Cardiology, which demonstrated the value of virtual and mixed reality systems for cardiac diagnostics and interventional planning. She holds a Ph.D. in Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering (2014) and an M.Sc. in Physics and Applied Computer Science (2009) from AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków. Her portfolio includes groundbreaking projects such as: • eduXR Platform – a next-generation mixed reality learning ecosystem for medical students. • HoloMed – Holographic MedAssistant – an MR-based clinical support tool using Microsoft HoloLens. • XR-based preoperative planning systems and AI-driven Health Digital Twins for cardiology • And much more… Through her leadership, she has brought immersive technologies from research labs into real-world hospital settings, fostering a new era of digital medicine that unites AI, 3D imaging, and clinical expertise.

Maxwell Welyhorsky is a Business Development Officer at ispace Europe in Luxembourg. A qualified Professional Engineer from Canada, Maxwell also holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Maxwell was the former Vision System Architect/Technical Lead for all cameras and sensors (C&S) on the Gateway External Robotics System, also known as Canadarm3. He was responsible for the end-to-end performance of the C&S and collaborated closely with technical authorities, astronauts, and operators for Canadarm2 at the Canadian Space Agency and NASA. Maxwell holds a Master’s in Robotics and AI from the University of Ottawa and has over 7 years technical experience in systems engineering for space robotics, military and naval communication systems, electronics design and product development for commercial avionics, and algorithm R&D for real-time object tracking. Maxwell has a strong passion for learning with a desire to break down complex problems, understand their fundamental drivers, and resolve them.

Philippe is a Senior Robotics Engineer at ispace. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Luxembourg for his research on autonomous navigation for small lunar surface robots. His academic background includes studies in computer science, as well as computer visualization and animation. His experience spans both terrestrial and space robotics. He has worked on autonomous systems for unmanned aerial vehicles and served as the lead engineer on a NASA-funded high-altitude balloon experiment. He was also a trainee at ESA’s Space Operations Center (ESOC), gaining valuable experience in mission operations. At ispace, Philippe led the development of the hardware and software for the Tenacious rover’s camera systems. He directed the rover’s field test campaign, deploying test rovers in a variety of lunar analogue environments—including quarries, volcanic sites, and ispace’s indoor lunar testing facility. He also developed the ground tools used to drive the rover and served as a navigator on the operations team, supporting the pilot in guiding the rover through challenging terrain.

Aleksandra Chrzan, science popularizer working at the Silesian Planetarium, where she implements educational programs in the field of astronomy and geology. She is involved in the project “First Step into Space” and runs the Space Engineer Academy – an interest group for young people that develops passion and knowledge related to space engineering. A graduate of the AGH University in Krakow, she constantly improves her qualifications by participating in numerous scientific and educational conferences. She is also interested in computer graphics, manual work and fantasy, co-organizing the Silesian Fantasy Festival – Cosmicon. She combines science and creativity, inspiring young generations to discover space.

Pieter van Beekhuizen has worked his whole professional life in the space domain, first with ESRO and later with ESA. During this period, he has occupied a large variety of different staff functions and line management responsibilities within ESA. His last assignment was Head of ESA Industrial Cost Auditing and Return Division which has included industrial costs audits, and the provision of the industrial geo return data to ESA Member States. In this capacity he was involved in multiple program reviews and chaired various Management and Cost panels for large ESA program procurements. During the last years at ESA, he was also involved in the European initiatives for space commercialization opportunities/projects. Following his retirement from ESA he started a consultancy company (Bexperience) providing consultancy and support services for various clients in different countries and continents. He is Board member of SSPF (Stichting Space Professionals Foundation), a foundation set-up to financially support young professionals and/or students in the Dutch space sector to apply for educational space studies programs. In 2024 he has been appointed as Chairman of the board of NVR, the Netherlands Space Society with 1200 members. Within IAF he has been nominated as Chair of the CLIODN committee (Committee for Liaison International Organizations and Developing Nations) for the period 2024 – 2027. In addition, he is the Co-Chair of the IAA Symposium on Space Policy, Regulations and Economics. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Colombian Space Agency. In 2025 he has joined the Board of the Women in Aerospace – Europe. He is frequently asked to serve as moderator and as panel member in space related events at multiple occasions.

Michal Brichta works as the Director of the Slovak Space Office – Industry Branch operating within the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency. Since 2019, he has been responsible for launching and leading the comprehensive development of the national space ecosystem, increasing the Slovak space industry capabilities by 150% while making them significantly more collaborative and better connected internationally. Along with his main role, he serves as the Slovak Delegate to the Council of the European Space Agency and a Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation. He actively supports the democratisation of space and advocates for closer cooperation between the space sector and the broader ecosystem of relevant stakeholders including a wider range of technology companies, financial institutions, or major users of satellite data and signal. Over the past years, he has also been pioneering new initiatives aimed at unlocking the untapped potential of European space by fostering more efficient integration between its well-established industry and emerging space ecosystems.

Andrzej Bańka serves as Deputy Director of the Department of Corporate Supervision and Economy. An experienced leader working for the private and public sectors, as well as international corporations, he has completed numerous consulting projects in marketing and finance, serving as a task force leader. He is also the author and co-author of numerous projects supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, supported by EU funds. Andrzej Bańka initiated the creation of the Małopolska Succession Management Plan 2030 and coordinated work related to the implementation of the Małopolska Regional Innovation Strategy 2030, particularly in the area of smart specializations in the region. He actively seeks new areas for implementing innovation in the economy. A long-time editor-in-chief of “Business in Małopolska” magazine, he focuses on investment, export, and economic promotion. For many years, Andrzej Bańka has been involved in collaborating with local governments and business-related institutions to serve investors and develop and support entrepreneurs seeking new areas of expansion. On behalf of the Małopolska Voivodeship, he is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Business in Małopolska Center, a one-stop-shop for businesses. Member of the Małopolska Council for the Space Sector, the Małopolska Council for Business Succession and Transfer, the Economic Area Development Council of the Krakow Technology Park and the Provincial Labor Market Council.