This space optics engineering conference is the 16th ICSO edition, co-organised by ESA and CNES within a series that has connected mission and optical-technology specialists since 1991. Its plenaries, technical papers, posters and proceedings cover instruments, telescopes, detectors, lasers, photonics and communications for engineers, researchers, mission teams, agencies, students and specialist suppliers.
About ICSO 2026
ICSO 2026 is the 16th International Conference on Space Optics and takes place at Hilton Sorrento Palace from 12 to 16 October. The conference brings together people developing optical, optoelectronic and photonic technologies for space applications. Its purpose is to exchange research, development, qualification and flight experience so that mission specialists and technology experts can examine both what has worked and what needs to advance next.
The technical scope extends from imagers, radiometers and spectrometers to lidars, metrology, telescopes, detectors, lasers, fibre optics and quantum communications. Oral presentations and posters contribute to proceedings published in open access through the SPIE Digital Library, giving the meeting a durable technical record. Plenary talks place individual developments within agency programmes and major mission questions, while specialist sessions allow detailed comparison of design, manufacture, calibration, qualification and operational performance. This makes ICSO more than an optics supplier exhibition: it links component-level work with complete instruments and mission needs. Authors must follow separate final-paper and presentation instructions, and attendees should use the official programme when selecting sessions because the topic list is substantially broader than any one optical application.
Event history and organisers
The International Conference on Space Optics began in Toulouse in 1991 and has developed into a biennial series hosted in different European locations. The official history records editions in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Croatia and other host countries, with a virtual edition in 2020. Antibes hosted the previous conference in 2024 before the series moved to Sorrento for its 16th meeting. ESA and CNES co-organise ICSO, while the ESA Conference Bureau and its event partner manage current practical information. The series’ stable purpose is to connect optical-technology experts with mission specialists and to preserve lessons from research, qualification and flight use. Publication through SPIE extends that exchange beyond the conference itself. ICSO also has a sister educational event, the International School on Space Optics, but the school and conference are separate programmes. The 2026 page should therefore be used for Sorrento registration, papers and logistics rather than information belonging to a school edition.
Topics and themes
ICSO follows light through the complete space-instrument chain, from sources and components to calibrated systems and mission operations. Its topic structure connects scientific performance with engineering reliability.
- Imagers, spectrometers and lidars: instrument concepts translate optical measurements into Earth, planetary and astronomical observations across many wavelengths.
- Telescopes, large optics and metrology: mirrors, structures, alignment and wavefront control determine whether ambitious instruments achieve required performance.
- Detectors and focal planes: sensor materials, readout electronics, filters and calibration methods shape sensitivity, long-term stability and usable scientific measurement quality.
- Lasers, fibres and microphotonics: sources, integrated devices and optical components support sensing, processing, control and compact spacecraft architectures.
- Optical and quantum communications: inter-satellite, deep-space and ground links address capacity, precision pointing, atmospheric effects, qualification and secure quantum key distribution.
Who should attend?
ICSO 2026 is designed for optical engineers, photonics researchers and mission specialists working on space instruments or communications. Telescope, spectrometer, lidar, detector, focal-plane, laser and fibre teams can compare technologies across design, manufacture, calibration and qualification. Scientists responsible for Earth observation, astronomy, planetary missions or deep-space communication can use the programme to understand how instrument choices affect achievable measurements. Agency and industry programme leaders gain a view of development maturity and flight experience across the supply chain. Doctoral candidates and early-career engineers can present work and follow a broad technical programme, while specialist suppliers can meet the community using their components and systems. The content assumes engineering or scientific familiarity, so it is less appropriate for visitors seeking a general public space event or a broad commercial satellite exhibition.
View ICSO 2026 informationPractical information
ICSO 2026 is hosted at Hilton Sorrento Palace, within walking distance of central Sorrento. Registration, the main technical programme and official conference accommodation information are published through the event site.
Authors should confirm current final-paper, slide or poster requirements and their assigned presentation time. Other delegates should check registration, social-event bookings and transfers from Naples before travel.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is ICSO 2026?
ICSO runs from 12 to 16 October 2026 at Hilton Sorrento Palace in Sorrento, Italy. The hotel is close to the town centre above the Bay of Naples.
Which edition is ICSO 2026?
The Sorrento conference is the 16th ICSO. The official history traces the series to its first meeting in Toulouse in 1991.
What does ICSO cover?
Topics include imagers, spectrometers, lidars, metrology, telescopes, detectors, focal planes, lasers, fibre optics, photonic components, optical communications and quantum key distribution for space.
Who should attend ICSO?
The conference is for optical and photonics engineers, instrument scientists, mission teams, agency specialists, researchers, students and suppliers working on space-qualified technologies.
How are papers published?
ICSO papers are prepared under the official author instructions and published in open access through the SPIE Digital Library, subject to final-paper, copyright and presentation requirements published for accepted authors.
What should authors confirm?
Authors should verify the final paper deadline, oral or poster assignment, slide or poster file requirements, registration status and the exact time allocated in the final published conference programme before travelling internationally.