1st German Electric Propulsion Conference
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Innovations for the Future of Spaceflight
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About GEPC 2026
The 1st German Electric Propulsion Conference 2026 aims to establish a national forum for exchange in the field of electric space propulsion. The conference will bring together researchers, industry representatives, agency representatives, and early career scientists from across Germany to discuss current developments, strengthen scientific and professional networks, and identify opportunities for future joint activities.
A central objective of GEPC 2026 is to provide a dedicated platform for the German electric propulsion community. The conference is intended to support scientific exchange, foster collaboration between academia, agencies, and industry, and give early career researchers, in particular PhD students, an opportunity to present their work and connect with the wider national EP landscape.
Beyond the 2026 meeting, the organisers hope that GEPC will develop into a recurring forum for the German electric propulsion community, hosted by different universities and research institutions across Germany at intervals of approximately two to three years.
Scientific Scope
Based on initial feedback from the community, there is strong interest in a national meeting format dedicated to electric propulsion in Germany. The following topics have been identified as particularly relevant for GEPC 2026:
- Diagnostics of electric propulsion systems
- Application experience and results from space tests
- High power electric propulsion systems
- Very low Earth orbit applications
- Exchange between academia, agencies, and industry
- Coordination of national research infrastructure, resources, and projects
- Power processing units and electronics for electric propulsion systems
- Radiation hardness and electromagnetic compatibility
- Numerical modelling and simulation of electric propulsion systems
Contributions from experimental, theoretical, numerical, technological, and application oriented perspectives are welcome.
Conference Format
GEPC 2026 will be organised as a compact three day, single track meeting without parallel sessions. The format is designed to allow all participants to follow the full scientific programme and to encourage direct exchange across the German electric propulsion community.
The programme will include oral presentations, keynote lectures, plenary discussions, scientific discussion sessions, and time for personal exchange and networking.
To preserve a focused and interactive atmosphere, the meeting is aimed at a group of around 50 participants.
Important Dates
| Abstract submission deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Notification of acceptance | By 31 July 2026 |
| Registration opens | August 2026 |
| Conference | 22 to 24 September 2026 |
Abstract Submission
Contributions to GEPC 2026 are expected to consist of a one page abstract. Further details on the abstract format, submission procedure, and review process will be provided on this website.
Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their contribution by the end of July 2026. The conference welcomes submissions from researchers, industry representatives, agency representatives, and early career scientists working in the field of electric propulsion and related technologies.
Registration
Registration for GEPC 2026 will open in August 2026. The conference fee is EUR 300. The fee includes coffee breaks, lunch, and the conference dinner.
Registration and payment will be handled through an online ticket shop. The ticket shop will become available on this website in the coming months.
Due to the single track format and the intended discussion oriented character of the meeting, the number of participants is limited to 50.
Programme
The detailed programme will be published after completion of the abstract review process. The preliminary structure of the conference will include keynote lectures, oral presentations, plenary discussion, and dedicated time for scientific exchange.
Venue
GEPC 2026 will take place at Justus Liebig University Giessen.
Justus Liebig University Giessen
Ludwigstraße 23, Main Building
35390 Giessen
Germany
The venue is located in the centre of Giessen and is accessible by public transport from Giessen railway station. Further travel and accommodation information will be provided on this website.
Organisers
GEPC 2026 is hosted and organised by Justus Liebig University Giessen.
Organising Committee:
Prof. Dr. Peter Klar
Dr. Kristof Holste
PhD team of the Ion Thrusters Group, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Contact
For questions regarding the conference, abstract submission, registration, or organisational matters, please contact the organising committee.
Email: gepc@uni-giessen.de
1st German Electric Propulsion Conference 2026
22 to 24 September 2026
Justus Liebig University Giessen
Innovations for the Future of Spaceflight