Social Programme
We are delighted to offer an attractive social programme as a part of the
joint i-SAIRAS & iSpaRo Conference in 2026. Complementing the scientific sessions, the social programme provides valuable opportunities for exchange between the international leading experts from academia, industry, and space agencies.
The Social Programme of the Joint i-SAIRAS & iSpaRo Conference 2026 at a Glance
| Event | Date | Information - Price |
| Pre-registration & Opening of the Exhibition |
Mon., 02 November 2026 | included in the registration fee |
| Welcome Reception | Tue., 03 November 2026 | included in the registration fee |
| Conference Dinner, Show & Dining in Apollo Varieté in Düsseldorf |
Wed., 04 November 2026 | For all participants extra ticketed event Price 130,00* Euro/ per Person |
| Guided City Tours Cologne Duesseldorf |
Tues., 03. November 2026 Wed., 04 November 2026 |
For all participants extra ticketed event |
| Networking Evening at a local brewery in Cologne (Dom im Stapelhaus,) |
Thur., 05 November 2026 | For all participants extra ticketed event Price 35,00 Euro/ per Person |
| Optional Guided Tours in the DLR premises in Cologne |
Fri., 06 November 2026 |
For all participants extra ticketed event |
*We are currently exploring the possibility of offering individual elements of the dinner event as partnership packages. This may help to reduce the overall costs. Further partnership opportunities are expected to be included in the Partnership Manual, which will be published in early July. Final pricing will be announced when registration opens.
Pre-registration & Opening of the Exhibition
Monday, 02 November 2026, approx. 18:00 - 23:00
Location: Confex Conference Centre in Cologne
© Confexx
The pre-registration and opening of the exhibition of the joint i-SAIRAS & iSpaRo Conference in 2026 (with drinks & snacks)
will provide an opportunity to get your name badges and conference materials and avoid queuing on the first day of the conference. It is Included in the conference registration fee.
Tuesday, 03 November 2026, approx. 19:00 - 23:00
Location: Confex Conference Centre in Cologne
© Confexx
The Welcome Reception marks the official start of joint i-SAIRAS & iSpaRo Conference and provides an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and establish first contacts within the community.
We look forward to welcoming you to i-SAIRAS & iSpaRo Conference in a welcoming setting for exchange and networking.
It is Included in the conference registration fee.
Show & Dining – Conference Dinner
Wednesday, 04 November 2026, approx. 19:00 - 00:00
Location: Apollo Varieté in Düsseldorf
© Roncalli
© Roncalli
Price: 130,00 €
We are glad to offer an exclusive evening event with a spectacular show and dinner for the participants of the joint i-SAIRAS & iSpaRo Conference in the Apollo Varieté in Düsseldorf.
Show & Dine – exclusive Wintershow with 3-course menu and with all beverages.
Located in the heart of Düsseldorf’s Media Harbour, the Apollo Varieté combines world-class variety entertainment with an elegant event location. The theatre presents spectacular shows featuring international artists, acrobats, comedians, musicians, and performers in a unique and intimate atmosphere.
The Varieté, this is the small, decadent brother of the circus Roncalli.
This is how the founder of Roncalli's Apollo Varieté, Bernhard Paul, once described the essence of his theatre.
Details:
- extra Ticketed event (additional costs)
- Limited capacity places (max. 320 participants) are allocated on a first come, first served basis
- Booking is required during registration process
- What is included
- Admission to an exclusive show,
- a three-course dinner menu (with vegetarian and vegan options available),
welcome drink, soft drinks, beer, and wine served throughout the evening. - ticket for one way train journey from Cologne Deutz to Düsseldorf ;
Transfer from Düsseldorf Central Station to Roncalli’s Apollo Varieté,
Return bus transfer to Cologne after the even
© Roncalli
Guided City Tours in Cologne or Düsseldorf
Cologne Guided Tour: Walk through the cobblestone alleys of the Altstadt to learn about 2,000 years of Roman and medieval history.
Tuesday, 03 November 2026
Time: tbd in the afternoon
Price: 20,00 Euro per person
A walking tour revolving around highlights, facts and stories
Discover the most exciting facets of Cologne's past and present! This inspiring walk will take you on a journey through time: from Roman Colonia to medieval Cologne with its churches, guilds and merchants, through the times of war destruction and reconstruction to modern urban development and today's Cologne - full of the unique Cologne lifestyle. A real highlight is Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its impressive dimensions, fascinating architectural history, famous works of art and charming details make the outside tour a very special experience - and provide the perfect complement or preparation for your individual visit inside this magnificent building.
Kölner Altstadt & Kölner Dom
©KölnTourismus/Chris Weiher – CC-BY-SA
Düsseldorf Guided Tour:
Wednesday, 03 November 2026
Time: tbd in the afternoon
Price: 20,00 Euro per person
Details both guided tours:
- Limited capacity (max. 25 participants) places are allocated on a first come, first served basis
- Booking is required during registration process
- Duration: 1,5 - 2 hours in the afternoon
More key information will follow soon.
Networking Evening with food & beverage in a Local Brewery in Cologne
Thursday, 05 November 2026, approx. 19:00 - 23:00
Location: Dom im Stapelhaus, Frankenwerft 35, 50667 Cologne
Price: 35,00 €
A haven in the heart of the city, where history meets modern culinary delights.
Located within the historic walls of the Stapelhaus, this brewery offers an exceptional setting for a unique dining experience.
Restaurant “Dom im Stapelhaus” is known for its cozy, rustic atmosphere with dark wood and modern accents, as well as its regional German cuisine and locally brewed Kölsch beer on its terrace with views of the Rhine.
Details:
- Limited capacity (maximum 180 participants) places are allocated on a first come, first served basis
- extra Ticketed event (additional costs)
- Booking is required during registration process
- included : brewhouse food & 3 drinks
Guided Tour to the DLR premises in Cologne
Friday, 06 November 2026, approx. 9:30 - 12:30
Language of the tour: English
Price 20 Euro
The technical tour will take place, provided there are at least 100 participants.
Preliminary Programme:
- Start in Foyer of bld. 53 (DLR Casino)
- Walking to MUSC
- : envihab
- Solar furnace
- LUNA Analog Facility
The technical tour will take place, provided there are at least 15 participants.
Please, note that due to the limited capacity, the tour places are limited to 50 people and will be allocated on a “first-come-first-served” basis.
The preliminary tour programm is subject to changes depending on the final number of the participants.
The final decision on the offered tours and splitting into groups will be made by the organizer and announced during the conference.
A bus transfer will be arranged only from the GenoHotel to the DLR & ESA premises.
Although there will be no bus transfer provided from the DLR & ESA premises back to the hotel.
Public transportation provides good access from the DLR to the Cologne central station, to the Cologne/Bonn Airport or back to the GenoHotel. Please refer to the Travel section for more information.
The participation in the optional technical tour to the DLR & ESA premises is included in the conference fee.
For better planning we will need to know, if you would like to participate in the guided tours. Therefore, please indicate your interest during the registration process.
Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC):
The Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC) prepares, oversees and evaluates experiments conducted under reduced-gravity conditions. Its tasks include certifying the flight readiness of space experiments and operating specific ground infrastructure for monitoring and control of space-flight payloads.
© DLR. All rights reserved
: envihab - the Institute of Aerospace Medicine:
The Institute of Aerospace Medicine conducts research to promote the health and performance of people in a mobile society. Its activities focus on life science problems in the areas of spaceflight, aviation and transport. Space medicine investigates basic functions of the human body in the absence of gravity. Interventions are developed to counteract the adverse effects of weightlessness on the human body, such as the loss of bone and muscle. In the research facility :envihab (environment+habitat) scientists can study the impact of extreme environmental conditions on humans and develop appropriate countermeasures.
© DLR. All rights reserved
High Flux Solar Furnace – Institute of Solar Research:
The institute develops concentrating solar technologies for electricity, process heat and fuel generation for a sustainable energy supply in various collaborations with industry and research partners. The institute operates several large-scale facilities and test laboratories for basic research, application-oriented projects as well as for providing services for customers in industry or research.
Building of the high flux solar furnace in Cologne. Source: ©DLR. All rights reserved
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are jointly offering LUNA, a fundamental facility for the preparation of future human and robotic missions to the Moon at the Cologne site. With its unique infrastructure and the seamless integration into the campus, LUNA enables complex simulations for lunar surface activities of astronauts and robotic systems. LUNA thus is an important and relevant part within existing international capabilities.
LUNA establishes an internationally distinct and visible competence centre for Moon activities as German-European contribution to the continued exploration of space.
Simulated lunar south pole environment in the LUNA Analog Facility. © DLR/ESA (Aileen Rabsahl)
Please, find below some important practical notes for your kind consideration:
Access to the DLR premises is only possible with a valid ID card or passport. Driving licenses, student or residence permits will not be accepted. You will receive a visitor's badge
Details:
- Limited capacity (maximum 180 participants) places are allocated on a first come, first served basis
- extra Ticketed event (additional costs)
- Booking is required during registration process
- included bus transfer from Venue Confex to DLR site Cologne
Please, find below some important notes for your kind consideration:
- Access to the DLR premises is only possible with a valid ID card or passport. Driving licenses, student IDs, and residence permits will not be accepted. You will receive a visitor's badge at the DLR gate which must be worn visibly for the duration of your visit to DLR and returned to the DLR gate before leaving the DLR premises.
- It is not permitted to make any video and photo recording on the DLR premises.
This restriction does not apply to the ESA sites. - The tour lasts approx. 2,5 h. As the grounds are rather spacious there shall be walks of up to 20 minutes in-between the various facilities. Please adjust your clothing and shoe accordingly.
If the weather is not perfect, umbrellas, coats and good shoes will be advisable.