Wednesday, 13th May 2026
08:00 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome and Daily Introduction
Prof. Chris Bennett, University of Nottingham
Opening session of the 1st IAA Planetary Sunshade Workshop, with an introduction into the activities planned for the first day
09:15 - 09:45
IAA Introduction
Dr. Chantal Cappelletti, University of Nottingham
Introductory session about the International Academy of Astronautics, led by the workshop chair, Dr. Chantal Cappelletti
09:45 - 10:15
About the Planetary Sunshade Institute
Ross Centers, Planetary Sunshade Institute
Discover how the Planetary Sunshade Institute advances the world's understanding of space based sunlight reflection by working to answer the question, "how could the world build a planetary sunshade?"
10:15 - 10:30
Coffee Break
10:30 - 10:45
ARIA's Climate Cooling Program
Dr. George Horner, ARIA
Learn how the Advanced Research + Invention Agency, a UK R&D funding agency sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation + Technology, supports scientific and technological breakthroughs through their climate cooling program
10:45 - 11:05
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 1
Technology Development Synergies Between Planetary Sunshades & Interstellar Capable Sails
Les Johnson, Infinite Frontiers Consulting
Feasibility Study of Spectrally Selective Planetary Sunshades
Abián Sánchez Barreto, University of Nottingham
New Families of Quasi-Periodic Orbits about the L1 Photo-Gravitational Equilibrium in the Sun/Earth-Moon Center of Mass Circular Restricted Three Body Problem for Planetary Sunshade Applications
Catello Leonardo Matonti, Politecnico di Torino
Non-Governmental Financing and Governance of Planetary Sunshades - a Foundation governing long term "insurance" development - financed by Climate Stakeholders (insurance industry & banks)
Christer Persson, Fuglesang Space Center
Climatic effects of heliogyro sunshades
Illeana Gomez-Leal, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, Cornell University
11:10 - 11:30
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 2
Robotic Selective Welding Additive Manufacturing for On-Orbit Assembly of a Planetary Sunshade
Stefan Lobas, TU Berlin, Chair of Space Technology
Feasibility Study of a Modular Planetary Sunshade System
Marina Coco, Politecnico di Torino
Shaping Earth's Future from Space: A Governance and Social Lens on the International Planetary Sunshade
Dennis Kutz, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
Design of transfers from Earth-Moon to Sun-Earth L1 for a Planetary Sunshade Heliogyro
Emanuele Borghi, University of Pisa & University of Glasgow
11:30 - 12:30
Climate Science
Dr. Daniele Visioni, Cornell University
Keynote outlining the importance of climate science in the modern world, and how a planetary sunshade can contribute to reducing the effects of climate change
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Outside Perspectives and the Politics of Sunlight Reflection
Morgan Goodwin, Planetary Sunshade Institute
Sunshade research does not exist in a vacuum. Climate change intervention is discussed more and more in government, philanthropy and venture capital circles. Because planetary sunlight reflection impacts all life on Earth in some way, the way that research is conducted and results communicated has an impact on related fields. Learn from experts in adjacent fields how sunshade research can contribute to global decision making.
Panelists:
15:00 - 15:20
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 3
Earth Cup Educational Activities for Growing a Sunshade Workforce
Grover Swartzlander, Rochester Institute of Technology
Constellation Design Near L1 For A Planetary Sunshade
Nout Bonno Buijs, Delft University of Technology
A technology demonstrator mission for solar radiation management: Mission analysis and spacecraft design
Edward Tomanek-Volynets, University of Glasgow
Climate Impacts of Space-Based Solar Geoengineering: EC-Earth Simulations with a Planetary Sunshade System
Catello Leonardo Matonti, Politecnico di Torino
15:25 - 15:45
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 4
Beyond polarization: Scientific ambivalence and early-stage legitimacy in planetary sunshade research
Nicolas Ninon, UMR Centre Emile-Durkheim
Preliminary Design and Numerical Validation of a Solar Sail Deployment Mechanism for Planetary Sunshade Precursor Missions
Christian Bellinazzi, Politecnico di Torino
Heliogyro Sunshades
Dean Zweiman, Planetary Sunshade Institute
Can we source production of solar sunshades on the Moon?
Alex Ellery, Carleton University
15:45 - 16:00
Daily Closing Remarks
16:20 - 18:00
Visit to UoN Laboratories and Facilities
Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham
Optional tour of the manufacturing and research facilities across the University of Nottingham. The tour will include facilities across both of the University's main campuses, with an opportunity to speak to experts from each facility (where available).
Thursday, 14th May 2026
08:30 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 09:15
Daily Introduction
Overview of the upcoming activities for the second day of the 1st IAA Planetary Sunshade Workshop
09:15 - 10:15
Imagining a Legal Framework for Governing a Sunshade
Les Johnson, Infinite Frontiers Consulting
As solar geoengineering moves from speculation to serious policy inquiry, the prospect of a space-based sunshade raises unprecedented legal and governance challenges. Existing international instruments - the Outer Space Treaty, ENMOD, and the UNFCCC regime - were never designed for planetary-scale solar intervention, leaving a critical governance vacuum. This panel brings together legal scholars, space scientists, and policy practitioners to ask: what would a legitimate, equitable, and enforceable legal framework for a sunshade actually look like? Who decides, who monitors, and who bears responsibility when climatic effects are unevenly distributed across nations and generations?
Panelists:
10:15 - 10:30
Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:30
Preliminary Missions Roadmap
Dr. Christer Fuglesang, KTH
A recently published proposal for a Roadmap toward a Planetary Sunshade will be discussed, along with how realistic it could be. From there, various technical challenges and options will be discussed (membrane, propulsion, in-orbit assembly, control and communication, manufacturing and launch). An important question is when choices of options must be made.
Panelists:
11:30 - 12:30
System Technologies Gaps and Challenges
Dr. Chantal Cappelletti, University of Nottingham
This round table will examine the key system-level technology gaps that currently limit the feasibility of a planetary sunshade. The discussion will focus on cross-cutting challenges that span multiple subsystems, including materials durability, scalable manufacturing, autonomous assembly, precision formation control, long-distance communications, and end-to-end system integration. Panelists will explore where current capabilities fall short, which developments are most urgent, and how the international community might coordinate research efforts. The session aims to identify priority areas for investment and outline a roadmap for maturing critical technologies to the levels required for an operational sunshade.
Panelists:
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Astrodynamics
Dr. Marcello Romano, Technical University of Munich
This round table addresses key astrodynamics challenges of a planetary sunshade, including sunshade orbital dynamics in photogravitational L1, transfer trajectories, Earth-orbit options, attitude and structural control, sunshade astrodynamics-Earth climate coupled modeling and mission analysis, in-orbit assembly, and solar-sail swarm dynamics. Panelists will each give a six-minute presentation, followed by an open discussion. The session aims to map open questions and foster collaboration across institutions.
Panelists:
15:00 - 15:20
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 5
Conical Sunshades: conceptual design and origami-inspired folding strategy
Benedetta Marazzato, ESA-ESTEC Advanced Concepts Team
Climatic effects produced by solar radiation management strategies using space-based wavelength modification devices
Illeana Gomez-Leal, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, Cornell University
Mission and Systems Design of a Distributed Planetary Sunshade Architecture Using CubeSat Formations at Sun-Earth L1
Nishanth Pushparaj, University of Nottingham
Missions from Space Situational Awareness Context in the Synergetic Technology Development and Precursor Operations for Technology Development and In-Situ Resources Supply of a Planetary Sunshade
Jan Thimo Grundmann, DLR German Aerospace Center, Institute of Space Systems
Evolutionary Modeling for a Modular Sunshade Design within the Digital Workflow of the International Planetary Sunshade
Dennis Kutz, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
15:25 - 15:45
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 6
A technology demonstrator mission for solar radiation management: Science goals and occultation measurements
Marco Manelli, TU Delft
The Earthshades Initiative: Disrupting the Methane Accelerator through Modular, Reversible Solar Shading in Low Earth Orbit
Rick Wayman, World Business Academy
Planetary Sunshade Power Plant
Alexander Rose, University of Nottingham
Bridging Perceptions: Co-Designing Climate Literacy on Space-Based Solar Radiation Management through Global Digital Dialogue
Harmen Willerding, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
15:45 - 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 - 16:20
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 7
Resource Infrastructure and Logistics Network for an Evolutionary Sunshade Architecture
Dennis Kutz, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
Outgassing-Induced Forces in Solar Sail and Sunshade Structures: Implications for Precision Spacecraft Dynamics
Sarah Abedi-Boafo, University of Nottingham
Instantaneous Photo-Gravitational Equilibria and Solar-Sail Dynamics in the Sun-Earth-Moon System
Catello Leonardo Matonti, Politecnico di Torino
GeoShade Solar Sail and Sunshade
Tim Sippel, GeoShade Corporation
16:25 - 16:45
Interactive Presentation Session - Group 8
From Space Mirrors to Planetary Sunshades: historical roadmap, mission concepts and public outreach
Marina Coco, Politecnico di Torino
Design and Modelling of a Solar Sail Deployment Mechanism for Small Satellites
Natasha Thompson, University of Nottingham
An Airborne Sunshade to Protect Arctic Sea-Ice
Martin Morrey, SkyScroll
Dynamical Feasibility of a Controlled Dust Cloud for the DimSun Mission Concept to Ameliorate Global Warming
Pedro Neves
Review of Significant Planetary Sunshade Concept Development: 1989-2025
Ross Centers, Planetary Sunshade Institute
18:00 - 20:00
Social Dinner
Join us in the Trent Building, University of Nottingham, for a social dinner with other workshop attendees, followed by a speech and closing remarks from the workshop chairs
Friday, 15th May 2026
09:00 - 09:30
Registration
09:30 - 10:00
Daily Introduction
Introduction to the final day of the 1st IAA Planetary Sunshade Workshop, with an overview of the different working group sessions and other activites planned throughout the day
10:00 - 11:30
IAA Working Group Meetings
Breakout sessions to discuss the key work to be performed in several areas relating to planetary sunshades. Topics will be finalised throughout the workshop based on discussions and outcomes of other sessions
11:30 - 12:00
Closing Remarks
Official closing ceremony of the 1st IAA Planetary Sunshade Workshop, summarising the topics discussed and key outcomes over the past three days
Open Event
How Space Helps Fighting Climate Changes
Discussion and Practical Activity
13:00 - 14:00
Tales from the Edge of Space
Les Johnson
Coates Road Auditorium, University Park, NG7 2RD
What do the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program, a water shortage, a call from the White House, high-temperature superconductors, a cancelled space mission on the launch pad, and a mysterious "Les Johnson" skipping a court appearance in Alabama have in common?
They all happened to Les Johnson, one of NASA's most imaginative technologists.
In this lively and surprising presentation, Les shares some of the most surreal and quirky moments from his NASA career - showing that space exploration is far more than rockets and engineering. He also reveals how technologies first developed for space missions are now helping us tackle some of Earth's most urgent environmental and energy challenges. His stories show how looking beyond our planet can inspire solutions for a more sustainable future on it.
14:00 - 15:00
How to Build Your Planetary Sunshade
Jez Turner, University of Nottingham
Coates Road Auditorium, University Park, NG7 2RD
Join us for a fun, interactive session where participants of all ages can explore the science behind planetary sunshades - one of the bold concepts proposed to help mitigate climate change.
You'll learn the basic principles, experiment with simple materials, and build your own small-scale sunshade model to take home. No prior experience needed.