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IEEE NPSS Newsletter

RADECS 2026 – Prague Looks Forward to the Radiation Effects Community

Benedikt Bergmann, RADECS general chair

RADECS 2026 takes place in the historic city of Prague from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at the Prague Congress Centre. The organizing committee has put together an exceptional technical program and is finalizing the details of the social events.

Thematic Workshop

The conference will open with a one-day thematic workshop, held at the historic Bethlehem Chapel, entitled “Measuring to Protect Future Missions: The Critical Role of Detection and Novel Dosimetry in Harsh Radiation Environments.” The workshop explores the full spectrum of space radiation monitoring, from simulation to in-orbit measurements, and highlights the importance of accurate, real-time detection and advanced dosimetry to inform radiation protection strategies for future missions beyond LEO. With contributions from current missions, as well as insight into next-generation detectors and onboard processing challenges, the sessions will foster discussion on what we measure, how we measure it, and why it matters, for a cohesive approach to interpreting the space radiation environment. The workshop features distinguished speakers from space agencies, industry, and academia.

The RADECS Association flag at Žofín Palace, the venue of the RADECS 2026 Gala Dinner. Located on Prague’s Slovanský Island, the Neo-Renaissance palace offers beautiful views of the Vltava River, the National Theatre, and Prague Castle. Over the years, it has welcomed renowned artists including Smetana, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky. The venue also holds a special place in Czech musical history: it was here that Antonín Dvořák gave his first concert in 1878, and where the world-famous Má vlast by Bedřich Smetana was performed in its entirety for the first time on 5 November 1882.

Technical Sessions

The technical sessions span ten topical areas, from Single Event Effects and Radiation Hardening to Dosimetry, Radiation Environments, and Radiation Hardness Assurance. The program comprises 42 oral presentations and 109 poster contributions, assembled from more than 250 regular and 50 late-news submissions, making this year’s edition particularly competitive. Papers selected for oral or poster presentations are eligible for a peer-reviewed special issue of IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science.

Data Workshop

The Radiation Effects Data Workshop, an additional poster session, comprises 34 contributions presenting radiation response data on electronic devices and systems for engineers designing radiation-hardened equipment. Data Workshop papers are published in the RADECS 2026 Conference Proceedings.

Keynotes

The technical program is complemented by keynote talks as the cherry on top. This year, you can look forward to keynote presentations by:

  • Vaclav Kobera, Director of the Space Agency of the Czech Republic, presenting “Czech Republic’s Capabilities and Ambitions in Space Activities”
  • Dr. Maria Martisikova, medical physicist, presenting “Ion Beam Radiotherapy: Between Biology and High Energy Physics”
  • Tomas Rousek, Space Architect, presenting “Architecture and Radiation: From Space Stations to Modular Power Plants and Deep Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel,” showcasing the implications and use cases of radiation in architecture projects in space and on Earth
  • Sławosz Uznański Wiśniewski, Polish project astronaut and radiation engineer, presenting “Ignis/Axiom-4 Mission: From Launch to Landing,” offering insights not only into radiation instrumentation but also into his life on the ISS

Industrial Exhibition

The technical sessions are accompanied by a three-and-a-half-day industrial exhibition, where more than 65 companies showcase their products and services, from established rad-hard electronics suppliers to test facilities and space agencies. Further exhibitors can be accommodated.

Technical Visits & Other Events

The conference concludes with technical visits to three cutting-edge sites: the ELI Beamlines laser facility, the AdvaSpace/ADVACAM cleanroom and detector-manufacturing site, and UJP PRAHA a.s., with its Co-60 gamma irradiation laboratories and nuclear engineering facilities.

RADECS 2026 further features a Women in Engineering (WIE) panel discussion, a dedicated student event (“Young Minds”), and a rich Social Program, including a Welcome Reception at the historic Strahov Monastery, a Soccer Tournament at FC Slavoj Vyšehrad, a Gala Dinner at Palace Žofín in the heart of Prague, and an optional excursion to the UNESCO-listed town of Kutná Hora.

An integral part of the RADECS social events is the traditional soccer tournament. This year we welcome players and supporters at the soccer pitch of Slavoj Vyšehrad. The excellent playing conditions have already been tested and approved by the teams “RADECS general chair” and “team UJP Praha”, the latter being the main sponsor of the event.  

The RADECS 2026 organizers look forward to all selected contributions and hope to welcome you in Prague this autumn!

For the latest information, visit our webpage at http://radecs2026.org/, where you can also sign up for our newsletter. Stay tuned!

Benedikt Bergmann, RADECS general chair, can be reached by email at [email protected]