PARIS, France – 24 November 2025 – The 6th COSPAR Symposium has concluded in Nicosia, bringing together over 300 scientists, agency leaders, and industry pioneers from 50+ countries. Hosted by the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) with the support of Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, the event consolidated COSPAR’s role as an international platform for dialogue in space science as well as Cyprus’s growing influence in the global space sector.
Key highlights included the Space Agency Leaders Roundtable, the release of the Heliophysics Guidelines, the introduction of COSPAR’s Space Exploration Roadmap, and ground-breaking scientific announcements such as that from George Spyrou, unveiling AI-driven bioinformatics discoveries for astronaut health, and from Eija Tanskanen presenting new insights on space weather risks.
Global Guidelines on “Space Weather” and Heliophysics
The symposium saw the official release of the COSPAR Heliophysics Guidelines, a set of unified global principles for the scientific study of the Sun and its effects. Heliophysics is the science that studies solar and magnetospheric physics, space physics and aeronomy, and space weather, the latter posing a significant threat to modern life. A severe solar storm, on the scale of the 1859 “Carrington Event”, could today cripple power grids, knock out satellite communications and GPS, and effectively shut down the internet, causing trillions of dollars in damage and bringing global society to a standstill.
To prevent such a “digital Carrington event”, coordinated global action is essential. The new guidelines, announced in Nicosia, create a “common language” for scientists and space agencies worldwide to share data, coordinate observations, and improve forecasting of these dangerous solar events.
Jean-Claude Worms, COSPAR Executive Director, stated, “In an era where our reliance on technology is absolute, understanding space weather is not just an academic pursuit—it is a global necessity. These guidelines, supported by the world’s leading space science institutions, represent a critical step in building a united front to protect our planet.” The initiative was supported by a powerful consortium including China’s National Space Science Center, the Space Studies Board of the US’ National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society (SPD-AAS), the Space Physics and Aeronomy Section of the American Geophysical Union (SPA-AGU), the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), and Italy’s INAF, with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency also evaluating adoption.
C-SpaRC Discoveries: Unlocking the Secrets of Space Hazards
The Bioinformatics Workshop and Press Conference was a media spotlight for C-SpaRC, COSPAR’s International Space Innovation Centre in Cyprus. Eija Tanskanen, Director of the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, one of the C-SpaRC consortium partners, presented a discovery that challenges conventional wisdom on space weather. Her research demonstrated that the most severe space hazard effects occur not during the peak of the 11-year solar cycle (sunspot maxima), but during its declining phase, with impacts that are more regional and stronger than previously understood. This discovery has profound implications for the safety of satellites, power grids, and the planning of future human exploration missions.
George Spyrou, the Bioinformatics ERA Chair at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, also a C-SpaRC consortium partner, revealed how his team is pioneering “computational drug repurposing”. He explained how they use AI to analyze genetic changes caused by microgravity in human heart and muscle cells, successfully identifying existing medicines that can be repurposed to protect astronauts from health risks like cardiovascular damage and muscle atrophy, with direct applications for patients on Earth. He also unveiled the H-SPAR DB, a powerful human spaceflight database and analysis platform developed entirely in Cyprus to accelerate global research in space health.
Industry, Innovation, MoUs and Public Engagement
The week showed COSPAR fulfilling its role as a dynamic platform for space scientists worldwide to exchange knowledge and collaborate without barriers. The Symposium fostered global partnerships, with landmark MoUs signed between CSEO and Japan’s IHI Corporation, focusing on satellite-enabled technology—VHF Data Exchange System for sustainable shipping, and between CSEO and India’s Pixxel, for jointly developing advanced Earth Observation solutions for the European Union market. This transformed the discussions of the Symposium into concrete, high-value collaborations, underscoring the event’s role as a true nexus for global space innovation and business.
Public engagement was a cornerstone, with the well-attended Nicosia Space Science Street Festival and a Public Outreach and Education Weekend of hands-on workshops, empowering educators and inspiring future scientists.
At the Closing Ceremony COSPAR medals were awarded to CSEO President George A. Danos and Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, recognizing their leadership. COSPAR Executive Director Jean-Claude Worms highlighted the symposium’s success in advancing space science and collaboration. The Symposium served as a fertile ground for forging collaborations that will directly impact the future of the global space economy and reinforce Cyprus’s role as an international innovation hub.
The Symposium concluded with a handover to Italy for the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy, 1-9 August 2026, marking the continued momentum of global space innovation.
For more details, contact: leigh.fergus@cosparhq.cnes.fr
About COSPAR:
COSPAR, the largest international scientific society dedicated to promoting global cooperation in space research, was established in 1958. It serves as a neutral platform for scientific dialogue among scientists from around the world. Today, COSPAR comprises 46 national scientific institutions and 13 international scientific unions, with 14,000 space scientists actively participating in its activities, including attending assemblies, contributing to panels and roadmaps, and publishing in its journals. COSPAR’s core mission is to facilitate dialogue and encourage international collaboration among space stakeholders across the globe. It operates through scientific commissions, panels and task groups that encompass all disciplines of space science, from Earth and atmospheric sciences to planetary science, astrophysics, solar and space plasma physics, and life and microgravity sciences. A recent focus has been on strengthening ties between science and industry. This was achieved by forming the Committee on Industry Relations, which includes 15 leading aerospace companies worldwide. The Committee advises COSPAR on integrating industry capabilities into its activities, ensuring mutual benefits for both science and industry.
COSPAR website: https://cospar.world
About CSEO:
The Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), a leading space research institute, officially represents the country in top international organisations, including COSPAR, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). CSEO spearheaded Cyprus’s entry into the NASA Artemis Accords and the European Space Agency (ESA), starting this effort back in 2012. It coordinates the International Space Innovation Centre (C-SpaRC), one of only two COSPAR Centres of Excellence worldwide, driving a mission to promote space research, innovation, and education to position Cyprus as a key player on the global space stage, with key international partners including NASA and Lockheed Martin.
Symposium website: http://www.cospar2025.org
With sincere thanks to our sponsors & partners
The success of the COSPAR 2025 Symposium was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners. The Local Organising Committee and COSPAR extend their deepest gratitude to:
• Grand Sponsor: Lockheed Martin
• Grand National Sponsor: Research & Innovation Foundation (RIF)
• National Sponsor: Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Cyprus
• Gold Sponsor: JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
• Bronze Sponsor: Northrop Grumman
• Partner: Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
• Media Sponsor: Cyprus News Agency (CNA)
• Supporters: Invest Cyprus, Euro Moon Mars, ILEWG (International Lunar Exploration Working Group