With successful enterprises now focusing on space exploration, we have now entered a new phase of the Space Age. Interplanetary travel is no longer a mere subject of science fiction but just about a decade away. However, such endeavours come with their own set of challenges. In this Space Biology and Biotechnology Symposium, organised by the department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore we bring together experts from around the world both from academia and the industry to discuss the current understanding of these challenges and prospective ways of overcoming them. The Symposium will feature talks on current research in the areas of space biology and space biotechnology. As a first-of-its-kind symposium, we aim to foster greater communication between academics, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students via this symposium.