Kelsey Young, one of the scientists behind NASA’s Artemis mission, and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen will join international experts in Coimbra to discuss the future of space exploration.
“We will have someone who is currently at the forefront: Kelsey Young. She is the chief scientist for the Artemis mission and is responsible for the lunar mission—both from a scientific perspective and in terms of preparing the teams,” revealed Manuel Vaz, CEO of Expanding World and co-founder of the GLEX Summit.
On the 29th and 30th, Coimbra will host GLEX Ignition 2026, an event bringing together scientists, astronauts, and international experts to discuss the challenges of lunar exploration, the search for extraterrestrial life, Venus’s evolution, and the role of space technology in protecting our planet.
During the event’s presentation, Manuel Vaz explained that Coimbra was chosen to host this “global exploration summit” because it has been “producing knowledge for centuries.”
“This edition of GLEX Ignition will reaffirm the historical and future role of Portugal—and Coimbra—in exploration, bringing together leading explorers, scientists, and innovators from around the world to exchange knowledge and debate the most pressing issues facing our planet,” he added.
Kelsey Young, who has led the integration of Artemis program science teams into NASA’s flight control operations since 2022, will discuss the scientific objectives of the Artemis II mission and the challenges of lunar exploration.
In addition to the American scientist, the event will feature ESA astronaut and former International Space Station (ISS) commander Andreas Mogensen, as well as Pete Worden—former director of the NASA Ames Research Centre and current executive director of the Breakthrough Initiatives, which include a $100 million project to investigate interstellar travel.
Among the 11 international speakers, who will cover topics such as the Moon, the exploration of Venus, the search for other habitable planets, Earth observation, and the connection between science, culture, and ancestral knowledge, is Sue Smrekar, lead for NASA’s VERITAS mission to Venus.
According to the organisers, the main program will take place on the 29th at the Convento São Francisco. The following day, “Coimbra Supernova – Frontiers in Action” will feature a forum—with limited attendance—consisting of two lectures and a Q&A session for registered participants.
For Coimbra Mayor Ana Abrunhosa, this event offers the city an opportunity to connect its researchers, institutions, and companies with an international community working in some of the most advanced fields of science and technology.
“Coimbra possesses knowledge, talent, scientific and technological capacity, and companies capable of competing internationally. Our challenge is to increasingly transform this knowledge into innovation, investment, economic activity, and skilled employment,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the Rector of the University of Coimbra (UC), Amílcar Falcão, indicated that GLEX Ignition 2026 reinforces Coimbra’s position as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and global ambition.
“For the UC—an institution whose strategy places particular emphasis on space-related fields—this initiative serves as an opportunity to showcase the excellence of the research conducted here and to strengthen ties with both national and international partners,” he stated.
Expanding World Portugal, in partnership with The Explorers Club (New York), organised GLEX Ignition 2026 to strengthen connections between the international scientific community and Coimbra’s innovation ecosystem.