**Executive Summary**
The second International Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2026) was held from April 8–10, 2026, in Bangalore, India, to discuss "Innovative Operations for Smart and Sustainable Space Mission Management." Jointly organized by ISRO, ASI, and IAA, the event focused on emerging space technologies and global collaboration. Key activities included a student workshop on April 10 and technical sessions aimed at charting a roadmap for future space missions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Core Themes and Objectives**
* Focus on advanced mission design, automation, and the management of large constellations.
* Exploration of human spaceflight missions, space robotics, and lunar/interplanetary exploration.
* Discussion on space policy, cybersecurity in space systems, and future trends in ground station operations.
* Integration of futuristic techniques in both upstream and downstream space segments.
**Technological Advancements**
* Emphasis on the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in mission operations.
* Focus on achieving more autonomous and efficient operations through human-machine synergy.
* Addressing the complexity of distributed mission operational concepts and disruptive technological innovations.
**Operational Challenges and Solutions**
* Managing space traffic congestion exacerbated by the advent of large constellations.
* Developing strategies for Space Domain Awareness, including concepts and applications.
* Highlighting the critical role of meticulous planning and flawless execution for mission success.
**International Collaboration and Participation**
* Participation from major global agencies including NASA, ESA, JAXA, CNES, and DLR.
* A platform for 120 oral and 88 poster presentations involving academia, startups, and industry experts.
* Promotion of global partnerships to find innovative solutions for the evolving space sector.
**Impact Analysis**
**International Space Agencies (e.g., NASA, ESA, JAXA)**
**Impact**
They are provided with a unique networking platform to share views on state-of-the-art technologies and coordinate on global space challenges.
**Action Required**
Engage in collaborative efforts to chart a safe and sustainable roadmap for future global space mission operations.
**Students and Young Professionals**
**Impact**
Targeted by an exclusive workshop designed to provide exposure to robotic mission operations, space applications, and astronaut training.
**Action Required**
Attend dedicated sessions on April 10 to gain insights into the "Next Generation" of mission management.
**Indian Space Sector (ISRO, Startups, and Industry)**
**Impact**
The sector is encouraged to proactively engage with global counterparts and adopt AI/ML to handle increasingly complex mission concepts.
**Action Required**
Focus on meticulous planning and human-machine synergy to support upcoming milestones like the Human Space mission and SpaDEx docking experiments.
**Space Mission Managers and Designers**
**Impact**
Affected by the shift toward automation and the need to address space traffic and cybersecurity.
**Action Required**
Incorporate innovative operations and "smart" management techniques into the design and execution of future mission roadmaps.
Key Entities Referenced
SMOPS-2026: The second edition of the International Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations, focused on innovative operations for sustainable space mission management.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO): The primary space agency of India and lead organizer of the conference, responsible for national space mission planning and execution.
ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network): The operational hub for Indian spacecraft missions that took a leading role in organizing the conference and managing satellite and deep space operations.
Bangalore, India: The central location hosting the conference, acting as the primary site for global space community collaboration and networking.
Department of Space
International Conference on Spacecraft Mission
Operations, SMOPS-2026
Posted On: 08 APR 2026 6:16PM by PIB Delhi
The second edition of the International Conference on “Spacecraft Mission Operations: SMOPS-
2026” with theme of “Innovative Operations for Smart and Sustainable Space Mission Management
– Next Generation” is being held during 8-10 April, 2026 in Bangalore, India. The conference, jointly
organized by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and
International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), is aimed to cover a wide range of topics related to
mission operations management, advanced mission design, automation, large constellations management,
human spaceflight mission, space robotics, space policy, lunar and interplanetary exploration,
cybersecurity in space system, Artificial Intelligence, present and future trends in ground station
operations etc., while addressing the futuristic techniques in both upstream and downstream segments. An
exclusive workshop for students and young professional was organized on the 10th as a part of SMOPS.
The conference was inaugurated on 8th April by the erstwhile Chairman, ISRO/Secretary DOS, Shri. A S
Kiran Kumar, in the presence of Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO/Secretary DOS, Shri. M Sankaran,
Director, URSC, Dr. Jean Michel Contant, Secretary General, IAA, and Dr. A K Anil Kumar, Director
ISTRAC.
The key themes featured in this conference, one-of-its-kind in India, include
Mission Operations: Turning Design into Achievement
Navigating Current Milestones & Future Horizons
Mission Design and Operations
Mission Operations Strategy and Future Roadmap
AI and Robotics
Ground Segment and Constellations
Human Space program, Interplanetary missions and Ground Segment
Orbits of Opportunity: Contributing to the New Space Economy
Human Space Program Challenges
Robotic Mission Operations on ISS
Space Domain Awareness: Concepts, Capabilities and Applications
Leveraging Space Applications
Apart from 120 oral and 88 poster presentations, leading domain experts from ESA, CNES, DLR, IBMP
and IKI Russia, NASA, JAXA, Celestrak, Eumetsat, Eutelsat, TU Delft, Canada, participated as keynote
speakers and panelists. This conference also served as a unique networking platform where the
participating space agencies, start-ups, industry and academia shared views on the state-of-the-art
technologies and tackling the emerging challenges in a rapidly evolving space landscape. The last day of
the conference featuring a workshop with invited talks on Robotic Mission Operations on ISS, Space
Domain awareness, Space Applications, Human space missions and astronaut training, has an
overwhelming participation.During the inaugural address, Chairman ISRO emphasized the critical role of meticulous planning and
flawless execution of spacecraft mission operations for the success of the space missions. He reiterated
the need for the Indian space sector to proactively engage with global counterparts in finding innovative
solutions to the evolving challenges in the space sector.
One of the central themes was navigating the ongoing and upcoming challenges, from both technological
and policy aspects, of increasing complexity of diversified, distributed mission operational concepts,
arising out of disruptive technological innovation, advent of large constellations, exacerbating space
traffic congestion, and more ambitious human space explorations beyond the realm of Earth. The pivotal
role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), in enabling more autonomous and
efficient mission operations with human-machine synergy were underscored across the sessions.
ISTRAC, the hub of spacecraft operations for all Low Earth Orbit and Deep Space missions, from
Aryabhata satellite to NISAR, has several landmark achievements to its credit, including the historic
Mangalyaan mission, the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3, insertion of Aditya-L1 spacecraft in Lagrangian
Point around Sun and docking experiments in SpaDEx mission took leading role in organizing SMOPS.
In the backdrop of opening up of Indian space sector and ISRO embarking on Human Space mission,
SMOPS served as a rich confluence of ideas across multiple disciplines, fostering collaboration,
cooperation, and partnerships amongst the global space community to chart a safe, sustainable and smart
roadmap for future space mission operations.
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NKR/AV
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