Welcome to UZH Space

Connecting space research across disciplines because the greatest challenges of space can only be solved together.

The University of Zurich (UZH) is home to a diverse and growing community of researchers working on space-related topics across disciplines, including the natural sciences, life sciences, engineering as well as the social sciences and humanities.

UZH Space serves as the university-wide platform that connects this interdisciplinary expertise across the University of Zurich, bringing together researchers, students, industry, and public institutions to create new opportunities for interdisciplinary research, education, innovation, and outreach while strengthening the visibility and impact of UZH’s space ecosystem.

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UZH Space & Community - News Feed

29 Oct 2026

What a Dung Beetle Has to Do with Interdisciplinary Space Research

What could a lawyer, a dentist and a philosopher possibly contribute to space research? Quite a lot, it turns out. From satellite mega-constellations to missions to Mars, the challenges of space are multifaceted and reach far beyond astrophysics and engineering, which is why UZH Space’s new Interdisciplinary Pitch Lab format connects early-career researchers from across the university to develop joint research ideas to tackle the challenges of space.

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27 Oct 2026

UZH Researchers Present “Genes from Space” at the UN Biodiversity Conference COP17

As part of the official UZH delegation, researchers from the “Genes from Space” initiative attended the 17th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia. They presented how satellite Earth observation data can help countries monitor and report on genetic diversity under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

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16 Oct 2026

Music of the Spheres | When Music meets Science

On 16 October, a full house of 280 guests joined UZH Space for a special evening celebrating the intersection of music, philosophy, and astronomy. The event featured Bach’s Goldberg Variations, performed by award-winning pianist Julian Trevelyan, accompanied by spectacular astrophysical imagery and simulations from UZH's department of astrophysics, alongside a unique unveiling of the original planetary beginnings of Martin Buber’s I and Thou.

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17 Sep 2026

JWST UNCOVER Collaboration to Receive 2027 Berkeley Prize

The JWST UNCOVER collaboration will receive the 2027 Lancelot M. Berkeley–New York Community Trust Prize for its work on the early Universe. UZH is part of the international collaboration through astrophysicist Prof. Dr. Robert Feldmann, who contributes a theoretical perspective to the interpretation of its findings and their comparison with galaxy formation models.

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19 Aug 2026

Sunlight on Demand? Rethinking the Promise and Risks of Space Mirrors

The recent approval of Reflect Orbital’s first demonstration satellite by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has sparked intense debate, with public discourse often blurring the line between established science and speculation. Researchers from UZH Space have examined Reflect Orbital’s proposed orbital mirrors, exploring their potential benefits, risks and societal implications. Drawing on expertise across astrophysics, Earth observation, environmental and social sciences, law, ethics and theology, this interdisciplinary perspective aims to separate evidence-based assessments from speculation and highlights key unanswered questions.

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UZH Space & Community - Events

3 Dec 2026

Public Talk: Robotics Challenges for Planetary Exploration, Jeff Delaune (NASA JPL), Irchel Campus Y04-G30, 5:15pm

Robotics Challenges for Planetary Exploration at NASA JPL: The exploration of the Solar System presents very unique challenges to roboticists. In this talk, Jeff Delaune from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will offer a perspective on what it means to develop the technology that enable these missions. He will also introduce some of the exciting next mission concepts that JPL is working on (Mars, Moon, Titan, Venus, and Enceladus) and how you can contribute to them.
Irchel Campus Y04-G30, 5:15pm

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11 Dec 2026

Public Talk: The Immune System at New Frontiers - From the Oceans to Outer Space, Prof. Dr. Alexander Chouker (LMU Munich), Irchel Campus Y04-G30, 5pm

Life emerged in the oceans billions of years ago, and with it, the foundations of the immune system. In this talk, Prof. Dr. Alexander Chouker, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, explores how the immune system has evolved to sense, respond to and adapt to environmental challenges. As humanity ventures into space, these new frontiers may reveal unexpected biological mechanisms and open innovative pathways for medicine on Earth and beyond.
Irchel Campus Y04-G30, 5pm

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