Torchlight Summit (2026)

Foundations of Freedom Beyond Earth

Torchlight is a working summit built around a central question: how do we extend human freedom beyond Earth? Over two days, astronauts from missions like Inspiration4 and New Shepard join scientists, engineers, and students to engage in live research discussions, biospecimen collection, and small-group seminars on space governance—alongside a hands-on hackathon using real astronaut omics data.

Main Summit Pass – Access to all main stage sessions and networking events

Seminar Salon Add-On – Small-group discussion and networking event (limited capacity)

* Limited number of tickets are available to the public *

Who Should Attend

• Undergraduate and graduate students in STEM
• Researchers in biology, medicine, and data science
• Builders interested in the future of space and human systems
• Individuals interested in governance, institutions, and civilization design

Registration Includes:

• Live conversations with astronauts from commercial spaceflight missions
• Access to discussions shaping astronaut health and space biology research
• Small-group seminar salons on space governance, led by PhD thought leaders (add-on, limited capacity)
• Experience the hackathon awards and winning projects built from real astronaut omics data
• A live research environment, including ongoing biospecimen collection in astronaut omics
• A curated network of scientists, engineers, and high-agency students
  

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The University of Austin (UATX)