Glex Ignition: Coimbra welcomes the leading figures of the new space age

# tags: Coimbra , Events , Portugal , Glex Summit

Glex Ignition will take place on 29 and 30 October in Coimbra, which will host leading figures from the fields of space exploration and scientific research.

Following Ottawa, Canada, hosting the most recent international edition of the Glex Summit, Portugal is once again welcoming this global community of explorers, astronauts and industry leaders.

Glex Ignition Coimbra is an initiative in the spirit of the Glex Summit, organised by the Portuguese company Expanding World in partnership with The Explorers Club, an international organisation founded in New York in 1904 and dedicated to the advancement of scientific research and exploration.

The event aims to bring the space sector closer to the general public, demonstrating that space is no longer the exclusive domain of major powers or state agencies. Today, it is a rapidly expanding sector with an increasingly direct impact on everyday life, encompassing private investment, communications, Earth observation, security and new economic opportunities.

The debate will focus on key topics such as a return to the Moon, human presence beyond Earth, the growth of commercial missions, and the contribution of science to our understanding of the universe. More than just a theoretical conference, the event will give a voice to the real-life stories of resilience from those at the forefront of technological development and human exploration.

“We are living through a new era of space exploration. A transformation that involves missions to the Moon, Mars and Venus, scientific research, new technologies, private companies and a rapidly growing global economy. But, above all, it involves extraordinary people, with real-life stories of discovery, risk and overcoming adversity. Glex Ignition aims to bring some of the key players in this ecosystem to Coimbra and to bring this new reality closer to those who are not yet aware of its true scale and impact. We want to understand what is changing in the world and discuss what role Portugal might play in this new frontier,” said Manuel Vaz, CEO of Expanding World and founder of the Glex Summit.

The choice of Coimbra to host the event stems from its historical links to knowledge, science and education. With an identity built around thought and innovation, the city is the natural setting for discussing the role of Portugal, its universities and local businesses in this new global frontier.

The main programme will take place on 29 October, featuring the main conferences. On 30 October, the initiative will continue with a decentralised programme across the city, organised in collaboration with local academic, scientific, business and cultural institutions.

According to Miguel Antunes, deputy mayor of Coimbra City Council, “Coimbra is not entering the space economy: it is already part of it. Through the Coimbra Supernova strategy, we have brought together universities, research centres, companies and institutions around a shared agenda which aims, by 2030, to double the space cluster’s turnover from 25 to 50 million euros, and to increase skilled employment from 350 to 750 jobs. The Glex Ignition event reinforces this trajectory, raises the profile of Coimbra’s ecosystem internationally and brings science, innovation and space exploration closer to the younger generations and the wider community.”