There is research on the Moon. The new edition of Science Cafè where science communication meets the research connected to the Moon
The new edition of the Sant’Anna Science Cafè revolves around a major theme: research connected to the Moon and space exploration. The public science communication event, open to everyone and free of charge, organized by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, returns this year with three events scheduled for the first three Thursdays of June (June 4, 11 and 18) in the garden of the School’s main campus (Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa). Professors, researchers and scholars will share the results of their work related to the Moon and space research, offering the public a unique opportunity for discussion in an informal setting where scientific outreach blends with culture and live music.
Under the scientific coordination of Debora Angeloni, professor of Molecular Biology at the Institute of Biorobotics and creator of the event, the 2026 edition is organized by the School’s Third Mission activities office.
Below are the details of the three evenings:
Thursday, June 4: How to Push a Dream Towards the Moon – Meeting with Tommaso Andreussi
On Thursday, June 4, starting at 9:00 p.m., the event “From Earth to the Moon, with Very Little Propellant. How to Push a Dream from Earth’s Surface to Lunar Orbit” will feature Tommaso Andreussi, full professor at the Institute of Mechanical Intelligence at Sant’Anna School.
Through a discussion of space propulsion technologies, orbital trajectories and the engineering challenges behind missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere, Andreussi will guide the audience on a journey through physics, innovation and the future of space exploration. A path that begins on Earth and looks to the Moon as a new scientific frontier, among increasingly efficient engines, advanced research and scenarios that until a few years ago belonged purely to science fiction.
The evening will also feature live music.
Registrations via EVENTBRITE
Thursday, June 11: Plants on the Moon – Meeting with Chiara Pucciariello
How can plants be cultivated on the Moon? Chiara Pucciariello, associate professor at the Institute of Plant Sciences at Sant’Anna School, will address this question in the talk “Plants on the Moon. Small Steps for a Worm, One Giant Leap for Agriculture,” the second event of the Sant’Anna Science Cafè, scheduled for Thursday, June 11 at 9:00 p.m.
The meeting explores the relationship between agriculture, sustainability and space research. Through plant biology and resilient ecosystems, the audience will discover how even the smallest organisms may play a crucial role in the challenges of the future.
Thursday, June 18: A Short Guide to Space Law – Meeting with Maria Gagliardi
Does the Moon belong to everyone? Can asteroid resources be exploited? And above all: are there really legal rules beyond Earth’s atmosphere? Maria Gagliardi, associate professor at the Dirpolis Institute of Sant’Anna School, will address these questions in the talk “Safe Assets: Investing in… Extraterrestrial Real Estate. A Short Guide to Space Law,” scheduled for Thursday, June 18 at 9:00 p.m.
The evening offers an exploration of Space Law, the field that regulates space activities, exploration, satellite technologies and emerging extraterrestrial economies. A journey through international treaties, geopolitics and future scenarios in which private companies, states and scientific research operate within a territory that is still largely undefined.
