Conférence / séminaire
The Antarctic Futures Symposium (AAFS) is a high-level international forum bringing together leading scientists, industry representatives, policymakers and investors to shape the future of Antarctic research and innovation.
Hosted in Luxembourg on 23–24 April 2026 at the Chambre of Commerce in Kirchberg, the Symposium marks a decisive milestone in the development of the Andromeda Earth Observatory, the next flagship initiative of the International Polar Foundation (IPF). Over two days, participants will explore how frontier climate science, sustainable infrastructure and technological innovation can be integrated into a next-generation Antarctic research platform.
Participants may register via the form to attend on April 23 only, April 24 only, or both consecutive days.
The programme includes plenary sessions, thematic working groups and contributions from members of the Science Advisory Committee, chaired by Prof. Eric Rignot (University of California Irvine). Topics range from climate science and Earth observation to energy autonomy, circular systems, mobility, space technologies and long-term financing models.
While the Symposium highlights Luxembourg’s and Belgium’s role in supporting sustainable infrastructure, advanced engineering, space technologies and climate innovation, it reflects above all the truly international nature of the Andromeda project. International scientists and leading research institutes from multiple countries are actively involved in shaping its scientific agenda. Major international companies — leaders in their respective fields — are contributing technological expertise and industrial know-how. Industry leaders, government representatives and scientists from various countries will address the audience, alongside experts from Luxembourg and Belgium who have already played a significant role in Antarctica, notably in the design, construction and operation of the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station.
The Symposium is organised by the International Polar Foundation in collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the House of Sustainability of the Chamber of Commerce
About the Andromeda Earth Observatory
The Andromeda Earth Observatory will be the station of the 22nd century ; a new-generation, zero-emission Antarctic research and technology platform designed with a long-term perspective at its core. The station is planned to be inaugurated during the 5th International Polar Year : 2033.
The project is structured around three integrated pillars:
- An Antarctic University Hub, welcoming participating universities and research institutes into a shared international infrastructure;
- A dedicated R&D Centre, enabling applied research, technology validation and industrial collaboration under extreme conditions;
- A Ground Station, supporting Earth observation, data acquisition and advanced communication infrastructures.
Together, these components form a coherent ecosystem combining science, engineering and data-driven innovation.
Beyond its scientific mission, Andromeda is conceived as a living laboratory for sustainable solutions. It will test renewable energy systems, closed-loop water and waste cycles, smart grids, advanced materials, autonomous systems and digital infrastructures.
Operated from a dedicated Luxembourg-based entity, Andromeda will build on the International Polar Foundation’s long-standing operational experience in Antarctica and its commitment to strengthening the links between science, industry, finance and public authorities.
PROGRAMME:
1st day: Thursday 23rd April 2026
8:30 - 9:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee
9:00 - 10:30 SESSION 1: OPENING OF THE SYMPOSIUM
Moderator:
Jean DE POMEREU, International Polar Foundation UK
Speaker:
Carlo THELEN, Director General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Welcome to the First Antarctic Futures Symposium from the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Alain HUBERT, Founder and President of the International Polar Foundation
Andromeda Earth Observatory: an International Project
Eric RIGNOT, Donald Bren Professor of Earth System Science at the University of California, Irvine
Rationale for a Next Generation Research Station in Antarctica
Olivier GUILLON, CEO of the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
Scientific Opportunities through the Andromeda Project
TBC, Representative of the Government of Luxembourg
TBC
Michel-Etienne TILEMANS, Belgian Ambassador to the Poles
TBC
Nighat AMIN, Co-Founder and Head of Environmental and International Affairs of the International Polar Foundation
The Antarctic Treaty System - Building International Partnerships in Antarctica
10:30 - 11:00 Networking & Coffee Break
11:00 - 13:00 SESSION 2: ANDROMEDA EARTH OBSERVATORY - BUILDING THE STATION OF THE 22nd CENTURY
Moderator:
Laurent NILLES, Prefalux
Panellists:
Ivan MAINERI, Schneider Electric
Resilient and Sustainable Energy Management & Automation Solutions (Antarctica Proof)
Pierre GOETSCHY, Prefalux
From Princess Elisabeth Antarctica to Andromeda (French)
Jan VAN STEIRTEGHEM, BESIX
BESIX: Built for Challenges
Philippe SAMYN, Samyn and Partners
Engineering Solutions for Extreme Environments
Dries DEMEY, Redwire
Circular Life Support Systems Sustaining Exploration of Space and Extreme Earth Habitats
Aymar DE LICHTERVELDE, Revalio
Water Treatment System Advances at Princess Elisabeth Antarctica
Jeroen VAN BEECK, Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Aerodynamics of Antarctic Architecture
13:00 - 14h00 Lunch
14:00 - 16:00 SESSION 3: BUILDING THE SCIENTIFIC CASE FOR ANDROMEDA
Moderator:
Isabella VELICOGNA, University of California, Irvine - United States of America
Chair of the Science Advisory Committee:
Eric RIGNOT, University of California, Irvine - United States of America
Introductions of the Science Advisory Committee:
Thomas STOCKER, University of Bern - Switzerland
Diana FRANCIS, Khalifa University - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Lucien HOFFMANN, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) - Luxembourg
Thomas JAMES, Geological Survey of Canada at Natural Resources Canada - Canada
René FORSBERG, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) - Denmark
Benjamin HORTON, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) - People's Republic of China
Jefferson SIMÕES, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Brazil
Thulani MAKHALANYANE, Stellenbosch University - South Africa
Frank PATTYN, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) - Belgium
Michael LEHNING, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) & WSL Davos - Switzerland
François FRIPIAT, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) - Belgium
Kate MACKEY, University of California, Irvine - United States of America
Sajad TABIBI, University of Luxembourg - Luxembourg
Tom BATTIN, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) - Switzerland
Marc DE KEYSER, Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium - Belgium
16:00 - 16:30 Networking & Coffee Break
| SESSION 4: EUROPEAN SPACE INDUSTRY - ANTARCTIC PERSPECTIVES (main Auditorium C1) | Break-out: Room F33 |
|---|---|
Moderator: Panellists: Steven KREKELS, Senhive TBC Maria BERDAHL, DG DEFIS |
This meeting is open only to members of the Science Advisory Committee and invited researchers in order to develop the "Overarching Science Plan for Andromeda". |
PROJECTION OF THE TRAILER OF THE DOCUMENTARY 2050
18:00 - 20:00 : Drinks & Walking Dinner
2nd day: Friday 24th April 2026
8:30 - 9:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee
9:00 - 9:15 WELCOME TO 2ND DAY OF THE SYMPOSIUM
Joseph CHEEK, International Polar Foundation
Explanation of the Organisation of the Working Groups
9:15 - 11:00 PARALLEL SESSIONS
| Room F33 | Auditorium C3 | Main Auditorium C1 |
|---|---|---|
WORKING GROUP 1 - This meeting is open only to members of the Science Advisory Committee and invited researchers in order to develop the "Overarching Science Plan for Andromeda". |
Moderator: Panellists: Carl SHNEIDER, University of Luxembourg Brandon VAN SCHAIK, EPFL Daniel F. SCHMIDT, LIST Thoman GIBON, LIST Frédéric ADDIEGO, LIST |
Moderator: Panellists: TBC Guus LUPPENS, Pull the plug Benoit HELLEBUYCK, International Polar Foundation Tom VAN HAREN, VITO |
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 15:00 REPORT TO THE PLENARY FROM THE WORKING GROUPS
Plenary: Main Auditorium C1
Moderator:
Nicolas VAN HOECKE, International Polar Foundation
Rapporteurs:
Eric RIGNOT, University of California, Irvine
WORKING GROUP 1 - Science Advisory Committee
Christine LEURQUIN, Aldoria
SESSION 4: EUROPEAN SPACE INDUSTRY - ANTARCTIC PERSPECTIVES
Åsa DECORTE, Samyn and Partners
WORKING GROUP 2 - Building Concept Elaboration
Dries DEMEY, Redwire
WORKING GROUP 3 - Life Support System & Circularity
Nicolas BAYOU, EarthScope Consortium
WORKING GROUP 4 - Science Support Platforms & Processes
Nicolas HERINCKX, International Polar Foundation
WORKING GROUP 5 - Energy & Mobility
15:00 End of Proceeding
15:30 - 16:30 MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE
Room F33
This meeting is open exclusively to Steering Committee members and invited participants.
Chair of the Steering Committee:
Alain HUBERT, International Polar Foundation
SPECIAL EVENT
17:00 - 20:00 PROJECTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY "2050"
Kinepolis Kirchberg, 45 Avenue JF Kennedy L-1855 Luxembourg
Register here
More information: https://www.antarcticfutures.org