Distant Worlds, Neighboring Opportunities
an Interstellar Research Group Event
October 12-15, 2025
AT&T Conference Center
Austin, Texas
IRG is excited to announce the 9th Interstellar Symposium: Distant Worlds, Neighboring Opertunities
This theme evokes the fact that while truly interstellar missions remain an aspirational goal, all steps that we take now can have far-reaching effects by coloring our immediate challenges.
Just as habitat engineering studies have benefits for improving living in harsh earth environments; studies of culture, law, art, and governance here on earth will have lasting impacts on crewed interstellar missions.
We want to underscore how the breadth of the human experience will determine the success of our expansion to Distant Worlds and stars beyond. Neighboring opportunities reminds us that space is for all.
During the 9th Interstellar Symposium attendees can look forward to:
- Keynote Speakers: Presenters come from government, industrial, and academic researchers.
- Networking Opportunities: Many creative and scientific collaborations have arisen out of the intentionally close proximity offered by our programming.
- Supporting Arts and Culture: Artistic and cultural elements are a core part of the IRG symposium DNA.
Programing will include:
- Public Outreach Night: Luminaries have topical discussions at levels accessible to the public.
- Academic Plenary Lectures: Peer-selected presentations on broad topics related to interstellar travel.
- Student Poster Sessions: Students have the opportunity to present their research.
- Sagan Sessions: Special 90-minute discussion panel on a pre-selected topic for a deep dive.
- Hospitality Suite: Offers attendees a chance to relax in a social atmosphere that extends the conversations of the day with food and other refreshments.
Optional Symposium Activities:
- Pre-Symposium Seminars: 4-hour deep dives on focused topics from Subject Matter Experts
- Exclusive Banquet: Celebrate the accomplishments of IRG’s volunteers and the space community with a catered banquet and speaker.
- Technical Tours: Offering both informational and networking opportunities for attendees.
We have the beginnings of the scientific understanding and engineering know-how to realistically work on the myriad of challenges in reaching other solar systems. These very hard problems are what gets scientists, engineers, futurists, science fiction writers and business people excited and motivated.
Come join the exciting work of IRG 2025. Whether you are a professional in the field or an interested amateur, join us for a great multi-day conference of expert talks, social events, public outreach functions.
The Call for Papers is here!
The symposium’s objective is to foster an exchange on various aspects of interstellar travel, including human and robotic exploration, power systems, communications, system reliability, psychology, crew health, anthropology, legal regimes, ethics, propulsion, potential destinations (including exoplanet research), life support systems, and habitats.
The symposium will include Special Sessions, Keynote Lectures, Working Tracks, Seminars, science fiction author engagement, as well as an art exhibition.
Download the Call for Papers Booklet for more information
You can submit your abstract now! Submit abstracts to registrar@irg.space
ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS 06/01/2025 DON’T DELAY!
Coming Soon!
Registration Annoucement
9th Interstellar Symposium Program
Keynote Speakers
Special Presentations
Plenary Speakers
Travel & Tour Guide
Announcements
Partnerships
For the 9th Interstellar Symposium, The Interstellar Research Group is proud to partner with the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Planetary Systems Habitability.
This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the talent that the state of Texas has to offer the interstellar community and our development goals.
We are excited to announce our collaboration with the International Academy of Aeronautics for the 2025 IRG Symposium!
For more than 60 years, the IAA has pioneered space, uniting the world’s leading experts in astronautics to tackle groundbreaking challenges, recognize achievements, and provide direction for the peaceful exploration and use of space. By advancing global collaboration and innovation, IAA promotes international cooperation across all space-related fields and supports equitable access to space for all nations, for the benefit of humanity.