The European Space Agency
Schedule and Session Details - ESA Heliophysics
ESLAB + “Heliophysics in Europe 3” 2026
Monday 21 September to Thursday 24th September 2026
The aim of the meeting is to have more dedicated discussions and panel presentations, than a typical science conference.
The main part of the workshop will be dedicated to several topical discussions, which are detailed below.
All contributed abstracts will be presented in a 1-2 minute lightning talk, followed by poster sessions.
A more details breakdown of the sessions is indicated below the schedule. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Session 1: ESLAB and ILWS Hermann Opgenoorth Memorial Session
The ESLAB component of the week will contain dedicated presentations from several ESA Heliophysics activities:
10:30 welcome+intro history of ESLAB etc
10:50 An update on SMILE - Philippe Escoubet
11:10 Observing the Sun and Heliosphere with Solar Orbiter, SOHO and friends - Daniel Müller
11:35 Proba 3 - Miho Janvier
11:50 Cluster and its legacy - Arnaud Masson
12:10 An update on Bepi Colombo - Geraint Jones
12:30 An update on JUICE - Olivier Witasse
12:50 Discussion
13:00 LUNCH
14:30 Comet Interceptor - Charlotte Götz
14:50 Heliophysics across the Solar System: Plasma Interactions with Surfaces and Atmospheres - Yoshifumi Futaana
15:10 Update on Vigil - Matt West
15:30 Update on Swarm - Anja Strømme
15:50 End Session + Coffee break
The International Living with a Star session will be dedicated to Hermann Opgenoorth, and will provide updates from several agencies on their activities in the area of Heliophysics.
16:30 Opening Remarks
16:35 JAXA activities in Heliophysics - Iku Shinohara (online)
16:55 Chinese Plans for Heliophysics - Chi Wang (online)
17:15 Russian Space Program in Heliophysics - Anatoli Petrukovich (online)
17:35 CSA Heliophysics update - John Manuel (online)
17:55 NASA Heliophysics - Joe Westlake (online)
18:15 ESA activities related to Heliophysics - Matt Taylor (on behalf of ESA HWG)
Session 2:
Contributed science topics covering:
Topic 1: Cross-cutting science in the heliosphere and beyond
Topic 2: Putting Science into Space Weather
Topic 3: Methods, missions, tools, and instrumentation
Topic 4: Open topic (contributions not covered by the above)
This session will consist of 3 minute quick fire talks connected to the posters.
Details schedule is here
Poster details are here
Session 3:
Data, Tools and modelling/simulation including Mitigation strategies for data independence
This session will present a variety of European modelling, data and tool environments including machine learning and AI activities and will provide a platform to discuss data independence in Europe, how to achieve it, and how mitigation strategies should be defined.
14:30 - Talks by Arnaud Masson & Jorge Amaya
15:00 - Panel Discussion: Arnaud Masson, Jorge Amaya, Michaela Brchnelova, Eelco Doornbos, Matthew West
16:00 - Coffee break
16:30 - Demos: Eelco Doornbos - Timeline Viewer 2 & Alexis Jeandet - SciQlop etc
17:00 - Group discussions
Session 4:
How do we build a sustainable future for space research
Objective: Objective Raise awareness of the environmental impact of our activities and explore ways to empower our community to make informed decisions. This session will address not only our carbon footprint, but also the broader issue of aligning the purpose of our research with the need to leave a sustainable world for future generations.
Programme (preliminary)
Part 1: Review Talks (1h max)
Maxime Grandin (FMI, Helsinki): Space-sector activities and planetary boundaries: Where are we?
Aurélie Marchaudon (IRAP, Toulouse – online): Practical examples of sustainability initiatives that are currently implemented in France.
Part 2: Round-Table Discussion (1h max) Objective: Present a series of concrete examples and testimonies of how to address these sustainability issues, and provide the audience with an opportunity to interact on those questions. Format: 3-5 participants with live Q&A using tools such as Mentimeter. Key Themes: Address how to conduct future research more sustainably. • Highlighting actionable initiatives to provide constructive solutions. • Maintaining an authentic dialogue.
You may also contribute to the session by submitting a contributed poster on this topic, under the "topic 4- open topic"
Session 5:
From proposal to flight and legacy - the lifetime of a mission
How to lead a proposal
Most major advances in heliophysics have been made through collaborative projects involving researchers from different countries and across several sub-disciplines. This session features a series of testimonies by people who have led such projects, to encourage early-career scientists to engage in them as well, and be successful in their application.
Format will be in the form of several testimonies, with round table discussions.
How to be part of a mission: roles , realities, and pathways +Industry aspects
The possibility to be part of a mission frequently depends on whether you are at the right institute or know someone on the inside. The many opportunities – as well as limitations – one faces in getting involved in missions are also not publicly laid-out, and are frequently only discussed in informal, closed settings.
This discussion-focused session aims to shed light onto the process of building mission teams and what interested early-career researchers should consider if they aspire to be involved in missions. A panel of speakers with various levels and types of experience in missions (including current instrument and mission PIs) will answer questions directly from the audience. Insights and guidance into the various factors and stages one needs to navigate in order to be part of a mission will be shared. Areas of discussion will include: (i) how one’s affiliation influences the possibilities and restrictions in assuming various capacities within mission teams, (ii) the role that instrument labs play, (iii) the role of national agencies, (iv) the role of ESA, and (v) the role of industry partners. This session is expected to primarily – but not exclusively – benefit early-career researchers.
Session 6:
Outreach and communication
Heliophysics has fantastic visual indicators of our science in the form of the Sun and the aurora. However, a lot of our science is ‘invisible’ and can be considered challenging to put across to the public and stakeholders. This session will be centred around some testimonials and a panel session, consisting of journalists, science communicators as well as members of the creative community including recent artists in residence at ESA, with active audience participation expected.
Session 7:
Update on EHC activities and how to get involved.
This session will provide the attendees to find out recent activities of the European Heliophysics community, including updates on
Working groups and report of other activities such as EGU town Hall etc
There will be ample time to discuss in large and small groups regarding all aspects of the EHC.