Satellites: Conference Brings together International Experts
09/30/2025So-called multi-satellite systems will be the focus of an international conference at the University of Würzburg at the beginning of October. In addition to specialist lectures, there will also be a series of public events.
From 6 to 8 October 2025, the international CAMSAT conference will take place at the University of Würzburg under the umbrella of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC). It is organised by the Professorship of Space Informatics and Satellite Systems at the Institute of Computer Science, which focuses on the future technologies of distributed satellite systems.
Multi-satellite missions - i.e. formations and networks of small satellites - are now regarded as the key to efficiently and sustainably mastering complex tasks such as earth observation, communication, navigation or even space debris removal.
With the CAMSAT conference, the University of Würzburg is making a strong statement in this field of research. In addition to scientific lectures for registered participants, the conference also offers a public programme: International keynote speeches will provide insights into current developments and a panel discussion with representatives from research, industry and space agencies will shed light on the social and technological perspectives of this dynamic sector.
All information about the programme
Satellite Anniversary Year at the University of Würzburg
The conference coincides with a special anniversary year: 20 years ago, UWE-1, the first University of Würzburg Experimental satellite, the first German picosatellite developed by students and researchers at the University of Würzburg, was launched into orbit. This project marked the beginning of a success story that made Würzburg a recognised centre for small satellite research.
Numerous other missions followed in the years that followed, including UWE-2, UWE-3, UWE-4 and the SONATE-1 and SONATE-2 satellites, which attracted worldwide attention. At the same time, a strong space ecosystem with research institutes, start-ups and international networking has developed in Würzburg.
The Professorship of Space Informatics and Satellite Systems
The Professorship of Space Informatics and Satellite Systems, established in 2024, continues this tradition. It combines basic research in space technology, computer science, control engineering and simulation with specific applications for distributed small satellite systems. A particular focus is on the use of modern digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence. The aim is to make satellite networks more autonomous, safer and more efficient - a crucial prerequisite for the success of future missions in earth observation, communication and navigation.
The professorship also researches innovative approaches for more sustainable space travel. These include cost-effective processes for the removal of space debris and the use of novel materials, such as gecko-inspired contact surfaces, which could enable the safe capture of defective satellites.
More information
Homepage of the Professorship of Space Informatics and Satellite Systems
Press release on the removal of space debris
Contact
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mohamed Khalil Ben-Larbi, Institute of Computer Science, University of Würzburg, Tel: +49 931 31-81511, E-Mail: khalil.ben-larbi@uni-wuerzburg.de
