14th European Space Power Conference (ESPC 2026)

About ESPC 2026

ESPC 2026 is a specialist engineering conference covering electrical power generation, storage, conversion and distribution for space missions. The 14th edition runs from 5 to 9 October at Estoril Congress Center in Portugal. The European Space Agency’s Power Systems Division presents the conference, supported by its conference bureau and committees drawn from the space-power community.

The event combines a technical programme with keynotes, an industrial exhibition, networking and social activities. Authors contribute work on future technologies, technical solutions, component applications and experience from spacecraft power systems. The scope extends from solar generators and batteries to power-management electronics and nuclear sources, connecting component behaviour with equipment design and mission architecture. Industry, agencies, universities and research centres are invited, but the conference assumes technical familiarity and is not a broad energy or public space event. Authors must follow separate final-paper and presentation rules, including applicable publication requirements. Exhibitors have a dedicated route, while general delegates register for the conference programme. The current technical calendar identifies confirmed sessions because subject areas do not guarantee a particular paper or speaker.

Event history and organiser

The European Space Power Conference is a recurring specialist meeting for the engineers and organisations responsible for spacecraft electrical power. The series began in 1977 and has moved between European host locations, giving the community a periodic forum for technologies that develop over long qualification and mission cycles. The previous, 13th conference took place in 2023 before the 14th edition moved to Estoril. ESA’s Power Systems Division is the presenting organisation for 2026, while technical and local committees shape the programme and the ESA Conference Bureau manages practical delivery with its event partner. This relationship should not be simplified into a venue-led event: Estoril Congress Center hosts the meeting, but ESA provides the institutional and technical context. Earlier proceedings demonstrate the continuity of subjects such as solar arrays, storage and power electronics. They do not establish the accepted papers, exhibitors or operating arrangements for 2026, which remain controlled by the current official conference pages.

Topics and themes

ESPC follows electrical power from generation and storage through conversion, distribution and mission use. The technical programme links improved performance with reliability, qualification and environmental constraints.

• Power management and distribution: architectures, converters, control and protection determine how spacecraft supply stable power across changing mission modes.
• Solar generators: cells, arrays, deployment and degradation studies address efficient generation from launch through long operational lifetimes.
• Energy storage: batteries and alternative storage technologies are examined through safety, cycling, thermal behaviour, ageing and mission-level sizing.
• Nuclear power: radioisotope and other nuclear sources support missions where distance, darkness or environmental conditions limit solar generation.
• Components and qualification: power electronics, materials, modelling, radiation behaviour and environmental testing connect new device capability with reliable, assured long-term performance across demanding flight environments.

Who should attend?

ESPC is primarily for spacecraft power-system engineers working on generation, storage, conversion, control or distribution. Component manufacturers, equipment suppliers and solar-array or battery specialists can compare technical requirements with agency and prime-contractor experience. Mission designers and programme teams benefit from seeing how power choices affect spacecraft mass, lifetime, thermal design and operational flexibility. Researchers and doctoral candidates can present new methods or technologies, while students may use published support routes where eligible. Product-assurance, qualification and reliability specialists have a clear role because flight adoption depends on more than laboratory performance. Agency representatives and technical managers can follow maturity across the supply chain. The meeting is less suitable for a general energy audience or visitors seeking a broad commercial space expo, as its programme assumes detailed engineering interest.

Practical information

ESPC runs at Estoril Congress Center from 5 to 9 October. Registration, accommodation guidance, social events and local travel information are published on the official site.

Authors should confirm all final-paper and presentation rules, while exhibitors should review their separate on-site requirements. Every delegate should check the final technical calendar, social bookings and registration inclusions before travel.