4-5 March 2026

London ExCeL

Agenda

Wednesday 12 March

12:10 - 12:40   |   Keynote Theatre

The Biology of the Final Frontier: Innovations for Long-Range Spaceflight and Earthly Challenges

As humanity prepares for long-duration space missions, such as the journey to Mars, one of the greatest obstacles lies not in engineering but in our own biology. Space travel exposes the human body to unique challenges, including microgravity, hypo-gravity, and cosmic radiation, which accelerate aging and cause organ damage.

This session brings together leading experts to explore cutting-edge innovations that could make extended space travel a reality while shedding light on the invaluable lessons space biology offers for life on Earth. From addressing combating age-related conditions to tackling kidney disease to preserving brain function, the physiological insights gained from space are driving breakthroughs in healthcare here at home.

Join us to uncover how the extreme conditions of space push the boundaries of human resilience and inspire solutions to some of Earth’s most pressing medical challenges.

See speaker profiles

Dr Carina Kern

LinkGevity

Prof Damian Miles Bailey

European Space Agency (ESA)

Dr Keith Siew

University College London

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