With the development of long-term space missions, there is growing interest in new energy sources and propulsion systems that will enable technologies to function even in conditions where conventional energy systems are not sufficient. Nuclear technologies are among the most promising solutions for long-term space missions. They can provide a stable source of energy for a very long time and at the same time significantly reduce the requirements for the amount of fuel needed.
“In areas where there is enough solar energy, it makes no sense to deploy nuclear technologies. However, for more demanding missions, including the colonization of the Moon, Mars or the exploration of more distant bodies, the choice of energy source plays a crucial role and without nuclear energy, their implementation would be significantly more complicated or, in some cases, practically impossible,” explains Dr. Martin Ševeček, Chairman of the ANTS Program Committee.
The ANTS 2026 conference was created precisely in response to the rapid development of this field. The organizers point out that there has so far been a lack of a European platform that would systematically connect the space and nuclear sectors, even though both fields are undergoing fundamental technological development. If Europe were to sleep on this development, it could, according to Ševeček, become dependent in the future on technologies and infrastructure developed outside the European area, especially in the United States and China.
“Similar to the field of AI and other advanced technologies, Europe suffers from fragmentation of opinions, legislation or capital markets, which slows it down a lot and reduces its competitiveness. On the other hand, we have amazing high-tech companies that are looking for new opportunities with high added value, as well as a rich knowledge heritage of the generation that knew how to develop and build reactors,” comments Ševeček.
The ANTS conference will bring to Prague representatives of research institutions, industry, space agencies and nuclear organizations involved in the development of technologies for future space missions. The program will focus on technological research and development, system testing, production and supply chains, but also issues of regulation, safety and international cooperation.
"Czech companies and institutions are opening up a unique opportunity associated with the development of unique modern technologies, which will be the basis for subsequent involvement in European and global supply chains that are still emerging. Specific opportunities can be found, for example, in the field of materials for shielding, fuel, or detectors, in the design of systems and their energy management, control systems, or testing and certification of components for the needs of space launch permits," says Adéla Boráňová, Program Manager of ESA BIC Czech Republic from the CzechInvest agency.
The event is being created under the banner of the European Nuclear Society with the support of the CzechInvest agency and the ESA BIC Czech Republic program. The members of the program committee include experts from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, and other European countries. At the local level, the conference is hosted by the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT) together with the companies Stellar Nuclear and UJP PRAHA.
Experts from ČVUT, Stellar Nuclear, and UJP PRAHA are also behind the development of the RAVEN experimental reactor. It is designed as a compact energy source for space applications — not only for propulsion, but also for powering and heating long-term systems operating outside Earth. The first prototype, which the consortium hopes to present in the coming years, could be a major benefit not only for manned missions to Mars, but also for future long-term missions beyond Earth orbit.
The ANTS 2026 conference will take place on 23–24 November 2026 in Prague. Detailed information on registration and the program is available at Advanced Nuclear Technologies in Space - ANTS 2026 - ENS.