The Opening Ceremony provides an overview of the forthcoming week of EPSC, as well as providing an opportunity for the Local Organizing Committee and Europlanet to welcome all delegates. We will also present some details on Europlanet with opportunities for delegates to join and help build the Society. The Opening Ceremony will end with the prize lecture of the winners of the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2026.

The EPSC stakeholders forum follows successful events at previous EPSC meetings, when it was often called ‘Agency Night’. With a set of panellists from funders, agencies and other key stakeholders supporting international planetary and space research, the meeting provides delegates with the opportunity to both listen to views and updates from key stakeholders, to ask questions and to represent views and opinions of the community to key influencers.

The Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement recognises the effort and excellence of initiatives to promote planetary sciences towards the public and schools. It promotes the outreach and education work of individuals or organisations. The 2026 recipient will receive their prize on the lightning stage and give a brief overview of their work.

The morning briefings, hosted by Niamh Shaw, are designed to give you a quick, interactive overview of the day ahead, including key scientific highlights and any important updates from the organizing team. Whether you're a researcher, student, or member of the media, the briefing will help you navigate the program and make the most of your time at the congress.

The morning briefings, hosted by Niamh Shaw, are designed to give you a quick, interactive overview of the day ahead, including key scientific highlights and any important updates from the organizing team. Whether you're a researcher, student, or member of the media, the briefing will help you navigate the program and make the most of your time at the congress.

The morning briefings, hosted by Niamh Shaw, are designed to give you a quick, interactive overview of the day ahead, including key scientific highlights and any important updates from the organizing team. Whether you're a researcher, student, or member of the media, the briefing will help you navigate the program and make the most of your time at the congress.

The morning briefings, hosted by Niamh Shaw, are designed to give you a quick, interactive overview of the day ahead, including key scientific highlights and any important updates from the organizing team. Whether you're a researcher, student, or member of the media, the briefing will help you navigate the program and make the most of your time at the congress.

The morning briefings, hosted by Niamh Shaw, are designed to give you a quick, interactive overview of the day ahead, including key scientific highlights and any important updates from the organizing team. Whether you're a researcher, student, or member of the media, the briefing will help you navigate the program and make the most of your time at the congress.

The Europlanet Early Career working group (EPEC) will give an overview of the events organized at EPSC2026

Exploring the lunar space environment is crucial both for fundamental planetary science as well impact on the human & robotic activities on the lunar surface.

Chemical processes in the solar system, interstellar medium, protoplanetary disks, and exoplanets.

All about regolith in general and regolith covered surfaces on small bodies, moons, and planets. This session highlights studies using laboratory experiments, numerical simulations, or theoretical analyses, in addition to studies using in-situ, remote sensing, or returned sample data and simulants.

With the advent of Juice, Europa Clipper, Dragonfly, and the progressing planning for ESA L4, icy moon exploration is in the spotlight. This lightning talk session focuses on the characterisation of icy moons and current efforts to maximise the scientific return of these upcoming missions.

To know the planets, we need to first look into the formation and evolution of planets and we can’t discuss it without also talking about stars and protoplanetary discs.

The Exhibitor Lightning Showcase is designed as a simple, friendly, and highly visible format in which the exhibitors’ work can be highlighted in the best possible way. Each exhibitor is allocated a few minutes on the Lightning Stage, where one representative is seated comfortably for a brief, professionally moderated conversation.

The discussion is guided by Niamh Shaw, who leads the conversation and helps bring forward the most engaging aspects of the exhibitors’ contributions.

Two exciting ESA missions arrive at their destination this year. Hear more about those missions and the upcoming amazing science they will deliver

The Europlanet Regional Hubs present their activities