ASEF Young Minds – From Australia to the Stars: Martin Jazbec on the Future of Space Technologies

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, a popular science lecture from the ASEF Young Minds series took place at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology in Ljubljana. The guest speaker was ASEF Fellow of the 2025 generation Martin Jazbec, a master’s graduate student in chemical engineering. The event was moderated by ASEF Fellow of the 2024 generation Zala Perko.

In his lecture “From Australia to the Stars: Who and What Shapes the Future of Space Exploration?”, Martin shared insights from his research visit with Dr. Kaja Antlej at Deakin University and from attending the world’s largest space conference, the International Astronautical Congress 2025.

He introduced the audience to current trends in the space sector, including satellite technologies, microgravity research, and future missions to the Moon and Mars within the Artemis Program. He also highlighted the importance of Slovenia becoming a full member of the European Space Agency, which opens new opportunities for researchers, companies, and students.

The lecture was exceptionally rich in knowledge, examples, and insights into the modern space sector. With great enthusiasm and dedication, the speaker presented a wide range of topics and shared valuable experiences from the international research environment. The talk was further enriched by personal stories from his life and research work in Australia, accompanied by photographs from professional events and meetings, including encounters with the Slovenian community in Melbourne.

At the end of the lecture, he also shared practical advice for students attending international conferences, encouraging them to prepare a short personal pitch that helps them introduce themselves effectively and build new professional connections.

The lecture also coincided with the ongoing Slovenian Space Days, a series of events highlighting opportunities in space technologies for young people across Slovenia. The event was also a great opportunity for ASEF fellows in chemistry and biotechnology to meet and connect, including several who had previously completed research visits in Australia. 

This project is supported by the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth and the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad.