NewSpace Winter School 2026: Five Days of Learning, Innovation and Collaboration

Between 10 and 14 February, the first edition of the NewSpace Winter School, organised by Espaço ao Cubo, took place as an academic and scientific event developed within the framework of the national initiative Winter Schools on Space for Higher Education, promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency.

Over five days, students from several scientific fields came together to explore different areas of the space sector, deepen their knowledge and develop innovative solutions in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.

An Intensive Training Experience

The NewSpace Winter School was designed as an intensive training experience, with the aim of providing participants with a broad overview of the space sector. Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to gain knowledge about different areas of the space sector, develop practical skills and engage directly with researchers, industry professionals and specialists from several organisations.

In addition to its scientific and technological component, the NewSpace Winter School also sought to promote key transversal skills, such as teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.

Event Structure

The 2026 edition took place in person and was held across two different venues: the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, where the lectures and workshops of the first three days took place, and the Communications Museum, which hosted the final stage of the event.

The programme was structured around two main moments: during the first three days, participants attended lectures and took part in workshops dedicated to different areas of the space sector. These sessions combined theoretical content with practical activities, allowing students to explore fundamental concepts and learn about real-world applications of space technology.

During the final two days, the focus shifted to the practical component of the event: a 24-hour Hackathon, in which participants were challenged to develop innovative solutions related to the space sector.

Five Themes to Explore the Space Sector

The Winter School was organised into five thematic blocks, designed to cover different dimensions of the space sector.

The Telescopes block focused on the study of the universe from Earth, exploring scientific instruments and technologies used in astrophysical research. The Satellites block focused on the study of Earth and space from orbit, with particular attention to current applications and emerging trends in NewSpace.

The Downstream theme highlighted the use of space-derived data for applications on Earth, such as Earth observation and the development of services based on satellite data. The Launchers block explored the technologies associated with access to space, analysing different solutions and international examples.

Finally, the Beyond Engineering block brought an interdisciplinary perspective to the space sector, addressing topics such as space law, the socioeconomic impact of space and science communication.

The Hackathon Challenge

One of the central moments of the Winter School was the 24-hour Hackathon, in which participants were organised into teams of five and challenged to develop innovative solutions for a current problem in the space sector.

This edition’s challenge focused on the sustainability of space operations. As the number of satellites and launches increases, Earth orbit is becoming increasingly congested, leading to a rise in space debris and collision risks. In this context, ensuring that future space operations are safe, efficient and sustainable is one of the major challenges facing the space industry.

During the Hackathon, each team aimed to identify a specific problem related to this theme and develop an innovative solution proposal, demonstrating its practical applicability. Teams were challenged to define the concept behind their solution, its potential impact and a possible implementation model.

The Community Involved

The 2026 edition welcomed 50 participants, students from several Portuguese higher education institutions, including the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, the Instituto Superior Técnico, the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, NOVA FCT, ISCTE and NOVA FCSH.

The diversity of academic backgrounds contributed to a multidisciplinary environment, with students from areas such as Engineering Physics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, among others. This variety of profiles proved particularly valuable during the practical activities and especially during the Hackathon.

In addition to the participants, the NewSpace Winter School counted on the involvement of speakers, mentors and partners from several academic, scientific and business organisations, strengthening the connection between students and the national space ecosystem.

Over the five days, participants had contact with professionals and researchers from institutions such as the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Técnico, the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, LIP, N3O, Critical Software, GEOSAT, Thales Portugal, Omnidea, Beyond Gravity, PwC, Vieira de Almeida and TecLabs.

This diversity of contributions made it possible to approach the space sector from several perspectives — scientific, technological, economic, legal and communicational — bringing participants closer to the multidisciplinary reality of NewSpace.

In addition to the speakers and mentors, the event was also supported by several partner organisations, whose contribution was essential to making the initiative possible, from institutional and financial support to the provision of venues, logistics and food support.

A Very Positive Outcome

The first edition of the NewSpace Winter School received a very positive overall evaluation from participants, who highlighted the quality of the lectures, workshops and the experience provided throughout the week.

Beyond the training component, the collaborative environment created among participants, speakers and organisers also stood out. The combination of learning moments, practical activities and interaction with professionals from the sector contributed to making this experience particularly enriching for everyone involved.

“Impeccable. It was a great pleasure to witness such a well-oiled dynamic from a 100% student-led association. Keep it up!”

“Very well organised. I especially enjoyed the Hackathon atmosphere; everything was very well thought out so that we had everything we needed to work effectively.”

Looking to the Future

The first edition of the NewSpace Winter School demonstrated students’ interest in the space sector and the importance of initiatives that promote direct contact with industry. Over five days, participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, explore different areas of the sector and develop innovative solutions in a collaborative environment.

The enthusiasm and engagement shown by the participants highlight the potential of this initiative to continue growing and contributing to the training of a new generation interested in exploring the challenges and opportunities of the space sector.

This first edition therefore marks the beginning of a project dedicated to bringing students closer to the world of space, encouraging learning, collaboration and innovation within the context of the space sector.