The NEAST Summit 2025 – North East Astronomy, Space and Technology has just concluded at the Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico technology center in Pordenone with the opening ceremony of the PL Space Center! This incredible event officially marked the opening of the PL Space Center, a new facility created by PrimaLuceLab as a research and development site for testing and improving its solutions. It provides institutional partners—such as universities, research institutes, and space companies—with the opportunity to experience and evaluate PrimaLuceLab technologies, and to inspire people to explore space and the universe from Earth. Held on October 24–26, 2025, the NEAST Summit brought together scientists, educators, students, engineers, and astronomy enthusiasts from all over Italy to share knowledge, attend courses, and explore the technologies developed by PrimaLuceLab for optical and radio astronomy, as well as for space applications. It was an extraordinary weekend of science, discovery, and inspiration — and it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for the PL Space Center.

NEAST Summit 2025 October 24/25 – Specialist Course in Radio Astronomy

The event opened with a Specialist Course in Radio Astronomy, accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIM) and organized by UAI (Unione Astrofili Italiani). Participants attended two days of lessons and practical exercises on radio telescope operation, signal analysis, and scientific applications using instruments such as the SPIDER 300A MarkII radio telescope for 1420 MHz radio astronomy and INTREPID 500-20 radio ground station for S/X-band installed at the PL Space Center. The course provided an in-depth understanding of how radio astronomy can be used for both scientific research and educational activities.

NEAST Summit 2025 October 24 – Public Lecture “Are we alone in the universe? The project that seeks the answer”

On Friday evening, the NEAST Summit 2025 continued with a public lecture by Eng. Andrea Melis from INAF – University of Cagliari, titled “Are we alone in the universe? The project that seeks the answer.” The conference explored the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) research program, explaining how modern radio telescopes and institutions contribute to the global search for intelligent signals from the cosmos. The talk captivated the audience, who filled the hall with curiosity and enthusiasm for the scientific quest to answer one of humanity’s oldest questions.

NEAST Summit 2025 October 25/26 – 20th National Congress of Amateur Radio Astronomy – ICARA 2025

On Saturday and Sunday, the 20th edition of ICARA, the National Congress of Amateur Radio Astronomy, took place, organized by UAI – Italian Amateur Astronomers Union and IARA – Italian Amateur Radio Astronomy. The congress brought together experts, researchers, and amateur astronomers who presented their projects and experiences in radio signal detection, antenna design, and data analysis. This year’s edition was particularly special, being hosted for the first time at the new PL Space Center — a perfect location for merging innovation, education, and community.

NEAST Summit 2025 October 25 – Opening Ceremony of the PL Space Center

The highlight of the NEAST Summit 2025 was the official opening ceremony of the PL Space Center, held on Saturday morning. In front of a large audience, PrimaLuceLab team and local authorities inaugurated the new facility, cutting the ribbon beside the impressive radio telescopes and Observatory Station domes that will serve as platforms for research, education, and technological development. The PL Space Center represents PrimaLuceLab’s long-term vision: to create a place where astronomy and space technology meet, open to collaboration with universities, research centers, and schools. Visitors had the opportunity to tour the installations, learn about the DUAL-PRO Observatory Station, INTREPID 500-20 radio ground station and SPIDER 300A MarkII radio telescope, and witness how these instruments can be used to explore the universe from Earth.

NEAST Summit 2025 – Looking Ahead

The success of NEAST Summit 2025 marks just the beginning for the PL Space Center. PrimaLuceLab is already working on new events, educational programs, and collaborative projects that will continue to inspire the next generation of astronomers and engineers. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for NEAST Summit 2026 — stay tuned!