Dear Esteemed Participants,

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is my honor and pleasure to welcome you all to the 4th World Summit on Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Science (ASTROSUMMIT-2026), taking place in the historic city of Rome, Italy, on June 22–23, 2026.

I am delighted to serve as Conference Chair for this remarkable event, which brings together visionary minds, pioneering research, and cutting-edge advancements from around the world. Our shared mission is to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration in the ever-evolving domains of astronomy, astrophysics, and space science.

Allow me to briefly share my journey: Over nearly four decades, I have been privileged to contribute to microgravity STEM, space exploration, science payload development, astronaut training, and operations. Since 1989, I have led and conducted zero-gravity research campaigns—both underwater and on weightless flights—supporting the NASA, ESA, and Russian segments of the International Space Station. A particularly pivotal milestone came in the year 2000 when I was nominated as the first private Cosmonaut-Engineer candidate by the U.S.–Russian MIR Corp, marking the dawn of private-sector access to space environments. This breakthrough led to record-setting missions and educational outreach efforts aboard NASA flight campaigns under the SpaceLand program, which helped usher in the commercial space economy.

These efforts, which included biomedical research on behalf of a Nobel Prize Laureate, inspired the ongoing development projects for respective groundbreaking SpaceLand Cities featuring novel open-door Mars Village analogs and public Aerospace Ports welcoming users and the general public, both in Mauritius and in Italy. The project's vision is to democratize access to Moon-gravity, Mars-gravity, and zero-gravity STEM research and training—bridging the gap between space and society, while nurturing eco-sustainable innovation for life on Earth. At its core, this work supports long-term goals like human settlement on Mars and novel R&D in longevity and green construction techniques for sustainable living on the earth.

At ASTROSUMMIT-2026 in Rome, we strive to build on a legacy of progress and inspiration. The summit will serve as a dynamic platform for researchers, innovators, and enthusiasts to exchange ideas, forge meaningful partnerships, and explore new frontiers in cosmic discovery. With its rich history in science, art, and human achievement, Rome provides a fitting backdrop for these transformative conversations. Its outstanding 2,000-year-old architecture uniquely inspires the design of the unprecedented SpaceLand Mars Habitats—an exciting focus of the workshop scheduled during the Summit.

I wholeheartedly invite each of you to immerse yourself in the vibrant program we have prepared—share your knowledge, connect with fellow pioneers, and together, let's shape the future of space science and exploration.

I look forward to welcoming you in person to an unforgettable experience in Rome!