The periodic symposia organized by the Beacon Satellite Group of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) Commission G offer an exceptional platform for ionospheric scientists worldwide to meet, collaborate, and deepen their understanding of the ionospheric effects on radio propagation. These symposia are an integral part of the group's mission, bringing together experts from diverse disciplines within science, research, technological applications, and engineering. Formed in 1972, the Beacon Satellite Group held its first symposium that same year in Graz, Austria, marking the beginning of a longstanding tradition.

Since then, the symposia have been held at various prestigious locations across the globe. Recent events include the 2010 symposium at the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (Spain), the 2013 symposium at the University of Bath (UK), the 2016 symposium at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the 2019 symposium at the University of Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), and the most recent one in 2022 at Boston College (USA). This year the Beacon Satellite Symposium (BSS) will be held in Rome, Italy.
 

Over the years, there has been a noticeable increase in the participation of attendees from developing countries, highlighting the growing global interest in ionospheric research. For this reason, the BSS will be preceded by a dedicated workshop focused on the use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data for ionospheric monitoring and modeling. The workshop, hosted by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) at its premises in Rome, will provide participants with a unique opportunity to engage with experts and receive relevant training in this important field of study.