Space Industry and Education Workshop: Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme(BIP)

South East Technological University (SETU) in partnership with  Riga Technical University (RTU), Latvia, and Stockholm University, Sweden, is pleased to announce the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive programme(BIP) “Space Industry and Education Workshop – 2nd Edition.”

The programme provides students and academic staff with an opportunity to engage with experts from the space engineering and industry sectors, focusing on space mission planning, proposal development, and emerging opportunities in the space industry.

With the rapid growth of space technology, funding opportunities from organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union, and other international bodies continue to expand. This workshop supports pre-mission proposal development by bringing together universities, students, academic staff, start-ups, and industry professionals to collaborate on innovative space mission concepts.

Participants will gain practical insights into industry trends and scientific developments while working in teams to develop mission proposals.

Objectives

• Facilitate collaboration: Gather experts from space engineering and industry with a proven track record in university-to-private-sector commercialisation.
• Provide practical training: Equip students with hands-on experience in space mission planning in cooperation with small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
• Develop new collaboration models: Explore innovative collaboration frameworks between universities and industry, applicable during both the initial mission design and future implementation phases.

Programme Structure

The BIP consists of both virtual and physical components:

• Physical Workshop –  SETU's Kilkenny Road campus, Carlow (17–21 August 2026)
  A five-day intensive workshop with expert lectures, discussions, and hands-on sessions. Students will work in teams to develop space mission design proposals with guidance from experienced space engineers and industry experts.
• Virtual Component – Post-Workshop (24-26 August 2026)
  Student groups will refine their mission proposals using a structured template and submit a five-page mission proposal followed by a final online presentation evaluated by professors and industry experts.

Partner institutions

• SETU, Kilkenny Road campus, Carlow: Host Institute
• Riga Technical University (RTU), Latvia Partner Institute
• Stockholm University, Sweden Partner Institute

Speakers / Instructors

• Dr Ashish Vashishtha (SETU), Ireland
• Prof. Andris Slavinskis (RTU, Co-founder SIA Nanocraft), Latvia
• Prof. Wolf Geppert (Stockholm University), Sweden
• Prof. Martin Tajmar (TU Dresden), Germany
• Michael Martin (CTO, Réaltra Space), Ireland
• Perttu Yli-Opas (CTO, Aurora Propulsion Technologies), Finland
• Dr James Murphy, Founder & CTO, Setanta Space, Ireland
• Dr Lisa McNamee (Medical Officer, Irish Defence Forces, Co-Founder, Space Medicine Ireland), Ireland 
• Prof. Lorraine Hanlon (Director of UCD’s Centre for Space Research), Ireland
• Dr Robert Conway-Kenny, (Innovation Specialist, ESA Phi-Lab Ireland Manager based at IMR), Ireland

Additional guest speakers from the European space industry and research organisations will be announced soon.

Application

Application Deadline: 20 July 2026

Participants should first contact the International Office at their home university for nomination procedures.
English Proficiency Requirement: Minimum B1 level (B2 preferred)

Erasmus Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive 5 ECTS credits.