Jointly organized in cooperation with the Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Padova.
Main event sponsor and organzier: Qascom S.r.l.
Via Monte Asolon, 60
36022 Cassola (VI) Italy
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Rome | 3-4 June 2026
NAVSPACE 2026
The International Workshop on Navigation, Communication and Cybersecurity brings together academia, institutions, and industry to shape resilient space-based services for Earth, Moon, and beyond.
The International Workshop on Navigation, Communication and Cybersecurity
3-4 June 2026 at Sapienza University of Rome, bringing together experts across PNT, communications, resilience, and cyber assurance.
GOLD SPONSORS:
BRONZE SPONSOR
The robustness, assurance, and cybersecurity of space-based Positioning, Navigation, Timing, and Communication (PNTC) systems have become strategic priorities for governments, industry, and scientific institutions on Earth and beyond.
Since the last NAVSPACE edition in 2019, the space ecosystem has undergone a profound transformation. Multi-constellation GNSS is fully operational, Galileo services have reached maturity, and satellite communications are rapidly evolving through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), 5G/6G integration, and large-scale LEO constellations with all systems increasingly exposed to complex threat vectors.
NAVSPACE 2026 addresses this convergence across Earth, Moon, and Planets. The conference provides a multidisciplinary forum to explore how satellite navigation, satellite communications, and cybersecurity can be jointly designed to deliver resilient and trusted services for terrestrial, aerial, maritime, space, cislunar, and planetary applications.
Key Questions:
How can robustness, assurance, and cybersecurity be ensured for navigation and communication systems on Earth, the Moon, and Mars?
What are the technological and architectural synergies between GNSS, IRIS², NTN, Moonlight, LunaNet, and future planetary infrastructures?
Which solutions exist today for detection, mitigation, resilience, and recovery against RF and cyber threats?
How can AI, autonomy, and digitalization support resilient PNT and communication in contested and remote environments?
The workshop is organized in 3 main thematic streams:
A two-day program spanning system updates, research and innovation, and operational applications.
Program June 3rd, 2026
Session: Systems and Service Updates. Location: AULA 1
09:00
REGISTRATION
10:00
Dr. Oscar Pozzobon,Co-Founder, CEO and President, QASCOM Prof. Luciano Iess,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome
Welcome Speech
10:18
Lieutenant Colonel Air Force Marco Florissi,Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Office of the Military Advisor, Space and Aerospace Policies Unit
Italy's national approach to Resilient PNT
10:36
Paul Flament,Deputy-Director Space Policy, Satellite Navigation and Earth Observation, European Commission, DG for Defence Industry and Space
EC future satnav activities
10:54
Massimo Mercati,Head of ESA Security Office, ESA Security Authority, DG Service, European Space Agency (ESA)
11:12
Industrial Representative
11:30
Coffee Break & Networking
12:00
Ennio Guarino,Head of Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department, European Space Agency (ESA)
Navigation Systems updates
12:18
Giancarlo Varacalli,Head of Telecommunications and Navigation Dept., Italian Space Agency (ASI)
12:36
Marco Falcone,Head of Future Navigation Programmes, European Space Agency (ESA)
ResilientPNT: ESA's Strategic Vision
12:54
Dr. Massimo Crisci,Head of E2E System Division, European Space Agency (ESA)
13:15
Lunch Break
Session: Lunar, LEO Constellations, and GNSS Updates. Location: AULA 1
14:30
Dr. Masaya Murata,Lunar PNT Lead for Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
JAXA Lunar activities
14:48
Dr. Monica Gotta,Moonlight Navigation Manager, European Space Agency (ESA)
Moonlight and ESA PNT Exploration Roadmap
15:06
Dr. Joerg Hahn,Galileo Chief Engineer, Head of Galileo System Engineering Service, European Space Agency (ESA)
Galileo System development status
15:24
Dr. Alessandra Di Cecco,Seconded National Expert, European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)
Update on EUSPA activities
15:42
Prof. Fabio Dovis,Professor, Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino
LEO PNT, Speed and Opportunities
16:00
Coffee Break & Networking
16:30
Dr. Francesco Menzione,Technical and Scientific Officer, European Commission (EC), Joint Research Center
Resilient PNT and Communication Services via Next-Generation LEO Constellations.
16:36
Mauro Marinelli,Product Line Manager of GNSS and Lunar Navigation and Aerocom Systems, Payload and Satellites in the Observation and Navigation Domain, Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space in Galileo, LEO PNT and Moonlight activities
16:54
Marco Brancati,Senior Vice President of Technology, Innovation & Systems Architecture, Space Division, Leonardo S.p.A
17:15
Closure Day 1
Program June 4th, 2026
Session: Systems and Program updates. Location: AULA 1
09:30
Stefano Binda,NAVISP Technology Innovation Manager, European Space Agency (ESA)
NAVISP program updates
09:48
Dr. Mauro Cardone,Head of Navigation Division, Italian Space Agency (ASI)
LEO PNT Challenges and Opportunities
10:06
Alberto Iovino,Operational Support and Innovative Air Mobility Management, ENAV S.p.A
UTM Activities
10:24
Dr. Ilaria Martini,Head of Navigation and Cyber Resilience, Leonardo S.p.A
LEO Constellation Resilience and Protection
10:42
Dr. Alessio Martinelli,Head of Navigation Services, Telespazio S.p.A
The National GNSS Competence Centre
11:00
Salvatore Corvo,Head of Navigation Payloads department at Domain Observation and Navigation, Thales Alenia Space
LEO PNT
11:18
Dr. Andrea Nardin,Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino
LEO PNT
11:30
Coffee Break & Networking
Session: Scientific Missions and Applications. Location: AULA 1
12:00
Samuele Fantinato,Head of Navigation Technologies Division, QASCOM S.r.l
Moon Navigation
12:18
Dr. Mauro Di Benedetto,Experiment Manager of the 3GM investigation, ESA/JUICE mission, Sapienza University of Rome
Mars Navigation
12:36
Dr. Claudio Cesaroni,Senior Research Scientist, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia
Ionospheric Observations from the Moon
12:54
Dr. Francesco Ardizzon,Assistant Professor, University of Padua
Navigation with Signals of Opportunity
13:15
Lunch Break
14:30
Transfer to Sala del Chiostro for Panel and Conclusion
Program June 4th, 2026
Session: Security and Robust Navigation 1. Location: Sala Del Chiostro
09:30
Massimo Panzeri,Senior System Security Engineer, European Space Agency (ESA)
ESA Cybersecurity activities
09:48
Efer Miotti,Head of Engineering Division, QASCOM S.r.l.
QASCOM Past and Future Missions
10:06
Dr. Roberto Capua,Head of ComNav and Space Surveillance Solutions and Services, Leonardo S.p.A
ETSI 3GPP NTN and Terestrial ComNav
10:24
Dr. Andrea Dalla Chiara, Head of Communication Technologies, QASCOM S.r.l.
Radiobeacons as integration of future Robust Navigation
10:42
Prof. Nicola Laurenti,Associate Professor, University of Padua
Recent Advances in GNSS Spoofing Detection
11:00
Felix Krefft,Technical Architect, Spirent Communications
From Field Recordings to Simulation: Decomposing Real-World GNSS Events for Receiver Analysis
11:18
Mark Smorenburg,Product Manager, Qualinx B.V.
The End of Analog RF
11:30
Coffee Break & Networking
Session: Security and Robust Navigation 2. Location: Sala Del Chiostro
Dr. Alexander Rugamer,Head of Satellite Based Positioning Systems Department, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Secure GNSS with Galileo PRS
12:36
Dr. Elena Toson,COO, T4i - Technology for Propulsion and Innovation
Requirements for rockets and high dynamics applications
12:54
Wim De Wilde,OEM Platform Team Leader, Septentrio
13:15
Lunch Break
Panel: Future of Navigation in the Solar System: Challenges, Opportunities, and Threats. Location: Sala Del Chiostro
14:30
Moderator: Alessandro Pozzobon, QASCOM Speakers: Dr. Masaya Murata (JAXA), Andrea Mourglia (Thales Alenia Space), Dr. Mauro Di Benedetto (Sapienza University), Dr. Mauro Cardone (ASI), Gabriele Lambiase (Telespazio).
15:15
Closure Day 2
Hotel Recommendations for Rome
Should you be interested in the services of the following hotels please book your stay using the email booking@aghotels.it and add the code NAVSPACE 2026 to get a 10% discount.
The Glam Hotel ****
via Nazionale, 66 – 00184 Rome - Tel (+39) 0698968165
www.glamluxuryrome.com
info@glamluxuryrome.com
The Style Hotel ****
Via dei Due Macelli, 106 – 00187 Rome - Tel (+39) 06 98387006
www.thestylehotelroma.it
thestyle@aghotels.it
The Independent Hotel ****
Via Volturno, 48 – 00185 Rome - Tel. (+39) 06 4452657
www.aghotels.it/independent-hotel
theindependent@aghotels.it
The Republic Hotel ****
Via Gaeta, 61 – 00185 Rome - Tel. (+39) 068 1157001
www.therepublichotel.it
therepublic@aghotels.it
The Guardian Hotel ****
Via Palestro, 13 – 00185 Rome - Tel. (+39) 06 81153633
www.theguardianhotel.it
theguardian@aghotels.it
The Tribune by Hyatt ****
Via Campania, 45 – 00187 Rome Tel. (+39) 06 6228 3753
www.hyatt.com/jdv-by-hyatt/en-US/romjd-the-tribune
Starhotels Metropole ****
Via Principe Amedeo, 3 – 00185 Roma Tel. (+39) 06 47741
www.starhotels.com/en/our-hotels/metropole-rome
metropole.rm@starhotels.it
20% discount with code NAVSPACE 2026 using the above mentioned email address.
Please note that the code may be used up to two days prior to the main stay date and up to two days after the check-out day. Furthermore, it is not applicable to the reservations made through third-party channels.
NavSpace 2026 will be held at the Sapienza University of Rome in Rome, Italy.
Date: 3-4 June 2026
Venue: Sapienza University of Rome (Via Eudossiana 18, Rome).
Host and Organizer: University of Padua and Sapienza University of Rome
The event is co-organized by QASCOM who is also a GOLD sponsor of the event.
Scientific Committee:
Dr. Oscar Pozzobon, QASCOM, General Chair.
Prof. Luciano Iess, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome.
Prof. Nicola Laurenti, UNIPD, Research and Innovation Track.
Dr. Luca Canzian, QASCOM, Applications and Operational Track.
Prof. Fabio Dovis, Politecnico of Turin, NAVAS.
Location and Directions
NavSpace 2026 will be hosted at Sapienza University of Rome, at the historic San Pietro in Vincoli campus, located in the heart of Rome. Part of one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities, the San Pietro in Vincoli site is home to the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering and represents a unique meeting point between history and modern scientific research.
The campus is located in an area of exceptional historical significance, layered with archaeological remains dating back to ancient Rome and later shaped through medieval and Renaissance periods. Over time, these spaces have been continuously adapted for academic use, becoming a long-standing center for engineering education and research.
Since the late nineteenth century, San Pietro in Vincoli has played a central role in the development of engineering disciplines at Sapienza, hosting generations of scientists, engineers, and researchers. Today, the campus combines historic architectural elements with modern academic facilities, providing an inspiring setting for high-level scientific exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue, and international collaboration.
