Location: Ponta Delgada | AÇORES
Dates: 2 | 3 October 2025
Venue: Teatro Micaelense
>> PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION BY SEPTEMBER 18 USING THIS FORM
>> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD LOGISTIC NOTES
08h30: Registration: Teatro Micaelense, Ponta Delgada
09h00: Welcome and Introduction
José Manuel Bolieiro | President of the Azores Government
David Pérez-Dionis Chinea | General Director for Organizational Coordination and Strategic Projects, Government of the Canary Islands
Thierry Cotelle | President of NEREUS09h30: Keynote
“New Space for multiple challenges: Resilience & Sustainability”
Miguel Bello | Chairman of the Board at OrbexSESSION 1 | CIVIL PROTECTION
09h50: Panel: CLIMATE CHANGE
Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, where satellite technologies play a key role in monitoring environmental changes, supporting risk assessment, and informing regional strategies for resilience and adaptation.
Moderator: Lorenzo Calabri | Project Manager, Area Research & Innovation ART-ER
“Heat Island Vulnerability in Urban Areas”
Mario Ancilli | Head of the Geographic and Environmental Information System Department, Environment, Energy and land Planning Directorate of Piemonte Region
Giorgio Pelassa | Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Environment, Energy and land Planning Directorate of Piemonte Region“Earth Observation for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in Bavaria”
Tanja Kraus | German Aerospace Center – German Remote Sensing Data Center“Communicate the Climate Risk with Earth Observation Data”
Marco Folegani | Managing partner at MEEO – Meteorological Environmental Earth Observation (Emilia-Romagna)“Ensemble Drought-Impact Dashboard: Enhancing Regional Civil Protection through Satellite-Based Land Data Assimilation”
Luis Gustavo Gonçalves | CMCC – Emilia-Romagna Region10h40: Coffee Break
11h00: Panel: EXTREME EVENTS
Severe natural occurrences such as storms, floods, and heatwaves, where satellite technologies support early warning systems, real-time monitoring, and coordinated response efforts to minimize risks and enhance regional preparedness.
Moderator: TBD
“Enhancing Civil Protection through Satellite-based Digital Twins: SaferPlaces Experience in the Emilia-Romagna 2024 Flood Events”
Stefano Bagli | CEO at GECOsistema/Saferplaces“Satellite data and technologies to support the State Fire Service of Poland and firefighters of the Podkarpackie Region during the flood in Lądek-Zdrój and Stronie Śląskie”
Mateusz Telesz | Deputy Head of the IT and Communications Department of the Regional Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Rzeszów“Lessons Learned from the “Satellite-Based Services for Disaster Risk Management” Workshop in Catalonia”
Estefania Blanch | Earth Observation project manager at Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya“Piloting the Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service in Catalonia: Improving Community Resilience through Satellite-Based Alerts”
Cristina Moreno Vicente | Head of Operations at the Civil Protection Directorate in the Catalan Government11h50: Panel: NATURAL HAZARDS
Threats like earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires, where satellite data is essential for hazard detection, risk mapping, and supporting timely response and recovery efforts at regional and local levels.
Moderator: Artur Gil | Vice-Rector for Science, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer – University of the Azores
“Changing firefighting strategies thanks to new early detection capabilities offered by Robust Satellite Techniques”
Valerio Tramutol | University of Basilicata – Department of Engineering (UNIBAS-DiING)
Nicola Pergola | National Research Council – Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analyses (CNR-IMAA)“The Role of NewSpace in Strengthening Disaster Risk Management: Catalonia’s Strategy and Use Cases”
Estefania Blanch | Earth Observation project manager at Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya“Remote sensing to assess drought effects on UNESCO World Heritage areas in Veneto Region: the case of Palladio’s Venetian Villas”
Carlo Masetto | Veneto Region, Spatial Planning Directorate – GIS & Remote Sensing Specialist
Umberto Trivelloni | Veneto Region, Spatial Planning Directorate – GIS & Cartography Technical Lead“No Net Land Take Observatory: A Decision-Support Tool for Urban Planning in Coastal Risk Areas”
TBC | CLS, Occitanie12h40: (Q&A)
13h00: LUNCH
14h00: Keynote
“EU-Space Package 2025 – what are the benefits for regions?”
Paul Flament | Head of the Unit “Satellite Navigation” in DG DEFIS – European CommissionSESSION 2 | BLUE ECONOMY
14h20: INTRODUCTION
“The Copernicus Space Component: current status and perspectives for maritime applications”
Alessandra Tassa | Copernicus User Expert in ESA’s Directorate of Earth Observation Programs
14h30: Panel: OCEAN GOVERNANCE & SAFETY
Ocean challenges and how satellite-based technologies can be used to manage marine resources, ensure maritime safety, monitor marine environments, and address challenges such as illegal fishing, pollution, and climate impacts on coastal infrastructure.
Moderator: TBD
”AIMOS – Azores Integrated Modeling for Ocean Sustainability”
Francisco Campuzano (TBC) | IICMar-OKEANOS, University of the Azores“PLOCAN Test Bank: Boosting the Blue Economy with Remote Sensing Technologies”
Jose Joaquin Hernandez Brito | CEO of PLOCAN – Plataforma Oceanica de Canarias“The Mid Atlantic Ocean challenges in the human and environmental risks prevention”
Óscar Bergasa López | Secretary of the Atlantic Association for Maritime Emergencies“Governance Challenges in the Largest MPA Network of the North Atlantic”
Luís Bernardo Brito e Abreu | Blue Azores“Coastal Crete: A Digital Twin of the Ocean for Near Real-Time Oil Spill Detection and Early Warning of Maritime Pollution”
Marco Folegani | Owner, co-founder and managing partner at MEEO Slr and SISTEMA GmbH“Best Practices for Whale Detection from Satellites in the Blue Economy”
André Valente | Reseracher at the Atlantic Internacional Research Centre – AIR Centre15h60: Coffee Break
16h20: Panel: COASTAL MANAGEMENT & MARINE TOURISM
Sustainable tourism activities along coasts and in marine environments, supported by satellite technologies that help monitor environmental conditions, ensure safety, and manage the impacts of climate change and human activity.
Moderador: TBD
“Atlantic SENSE: Geospatial Information for Climate Resilience and Environmental Monitoring – the case for smart coastal management”
Pedro Almeida | Colab+ Atlantic, Portugal“Empowering Coastal Communities through Earth Observation and Local Knowledge”
Christos Kontopoulos | CTO – Geosystems Hellas“Preliminary results on Biodiversity indicators and Science-based tools to set conservation objectives in Macaronesia”
Débora Gutierrez | Researcher at the University of the Azores – Faculty of Science and Technology (Blue Connect project)“How whale-watching tourism in the Azores contributes to cetacean monitoring”
Laura González García | Researcher at Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOS (University of the Azores) and Scientific & Technical Coordinator at Futurismo Azores Adventures17h30: Panel: MARINE FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE
Sustainable harvesting and farming of marine species, with satellite technologies aiding in resource monitoring, detecting illegal activities, and supporting ecosystem-based management practices.
Moderator: TBD
“Madeira Coastal Insight Service”
Alexandra Rosa | ARDITI – Madeira Region«others TBC»
18h15: Q&A | Conclusion of Day 1
19h30: Social Dinner (Solar da Graça)
Welcome speech by the President of the Azores Government
Handover Ceremony
José Manuel Bolieiro | President of the Azores Government
Marina Silverii | Executive Director of the Innovation Agency – Emilia Romagna
Thierry Cotelle | President of NEREUS
08h30: Registration: Teatro Micaelense, Ponta Delgada
09h00: Welcome
Paulo Estêvão | Regional Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs and Communities – Azores Government
Vito Bardi | President of Basilicata Region and Vice-President of NEREUS
09h20: KEYNOTE
“Leveraging the potential of European remote and outermost regions for the New Space economy”
Ricardo Conde | President of the Portuguese Space AgencySESSION 3 | DEFENSE & SECURITY
09h40: Panel: DEFENSE
How do satellite technologies support real-time surveillance, secure communications, and strategic decision-making in the defence of regions against military and security threats.
Moderator: TBD
“Fighting organized crime through the use of satellite and pseudo-satellite systems”
José Manuel Colodras | Spanish National Police“The Role of Commercial EO in National Defence and Resilience”
João Bentes de Jesus | Head of Institutional Affairs at Geosat«others TBC»
10h50: Coffee Break
11h10: Panel: COMMUNICATIONS & CYBERSECURITY
Securing digital networks and communication systems, where satellite technologies help maintain reliable connections in remote or crisis areas and support the protection of critical data against cyber threats.
Moderator: Carlos Romero Moreno | ESA BIC Madrid Region Manager
“Basilicata Region’s Cybersecurity Measures for Digital Administration under Italy’s Recovery Plan”
Michele Busciolano | Director General of the Digital Administration Department, Basilicata Region“Free-space optical communications: The IAClink facility between the islands of La Palma and Tenerife in the Canary Islands”
Carlos Colodro-Conde | Space Engineering Department – Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)“Beyond GPS: Strengthening Synchronization Resilience of Critical Networks in Unstable Times”
João Beleza Vaz | Chairman of the Emergency Communications Planning Committee and Director of the National Communications Authority – Azores Delegation«others TBC»
11h50: Panel: CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES
Securing essential systems such as energy grids, transport networks, and communication systems, where satellite technologies assist in monitoring, protecting, and ensuring their resilience against physical and cyber threats.
Moderator: Tiago Peres | Portuguese Space Agency
“Application of persistent flights using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and high-altitude pseudo satellites (HAPS) for security and safety solutions”
Eduardo Pereira | CEO of Parque Tecnologico de Fuerteventura«others TBC»
12h40: Q&A
13h00: Closing session
13h15: Social Programme TBA, including lunch.
Location:
EXPOLAB – Science Center
Dates:
July 16 and 17, 2025
Accreditation:
Target Audience:
Teachers from all levels of general and vocational education, from all islands of the Region
Conditions of participation and selection of participants:
The number of vacancies is limited.
Vacancies will be filled in the order in which applications are received, with the following priorities:
1st – Teachers enrolled at ASTN on March 31, 2025.
2nd – Other teachers.
Registrations close after the maximum number of participants has been reached.
Confirmation of registration and enrollment in the action will be made by email, until June 6, 2025.Other information including support for displaced teachers/trainers:
Please contact [email protected]
OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the potential of networking for a greater integration of the “space” context in classroom activities, reinforcing space education as a vector for motivation and guidance of young people in the school environment, and as a contribution to the definition of their academic path.
Share experiences – Share experiences among teachers and schools, regarding activities already developed in the field of space education.
Raise awareness of the benefits – Raise awareness for the development of projects and activities in the field of space education, considering the benefits this theme represents in the learning process.
Disseminate projects – Disseminate opportunities for access to regional, national, and international projects and initiatives in the domain of using space as a learning context.
Reflect and debate challenges – Provide a space for reflection and debate on the introduction of the theme in curricular activities, and discuss the challenges and constraints faced by teachers.
Present testimonials – Present testimonials from individuals and companies in the sector as a means to raise awareness of the potential of STEM careers directly or indirectly related to the space sector.
09:00 – WELCOME
09:30 – OPENING
Paulo Quental | Azores Space Mission Structure
Paulo Estêvão | Regional Secretary for Parlamentary Afairs and Comunities
10:00 – FROM THE AZORES TO THE WORLD: INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE
Panel 1: Overview of Space in the Azores
Moderator: Duarte Cota | EMA-Espaço
João Neves | Thales Edisoft Portugal
Luísa Magalhães | RAEGE Açores
Joaquim Melo | AIR Centre
Panel 2: Successful projects in the national and European space sector
Moderator: João Gonçalves | Skills Working Group da EACP (European Aerospace Cluster Partnership)
Mariana Ávila | AIR Centre
Artur Gil | Universidade dos Açores
Miguel Morgado | Atlantic Spaceport Consortium
11:15 – COFFEE BREAK
11:30 – EDUCATE FOR THE FUTURE: COMPETENCIES 2030 – THE EDUCATION CHALLENGES
11:45 – Round Table | Educate for the future : The education challenge
Moderator: Mara Caeiro | QSR Consulting
Sofia Ribeiro | Regional Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports
Patrícia Garcia | Critical Software
Pedro Coimbra | Agência Espacial Portuguesa
Bruno Couto | Vice-President of the EC at ES Antero de Quental
12:30 – LUNCH
Restaurant Q’énosso
14:30 – Exploring to Teach: The Pedagogical Potential of Space
Moderator: Diana Amaral | QSR Consulting
Fátima Pinto | Ciência Viva
Susana Cabral | Expolab
Luísa Almeida | Nuclio
15:30 – SHARING EXPERIENCES ON EDUCATION FOR SPACE IN SCHOOLS IN THE AZORES
Presentation of projects by teachers (pitch)
16:30 – COFFEE BREAK
16:45 – PROJECT SHARING
Presentation of developed projects (cont.)
Debate on the challenges in implementing projects
18:00 – CLOSING
19:30 – NETWORKING DINNER
DoubleTree by Hilton Lagoa Azores
09:00 – WELCOME
09:30 – WORKSHOPS
Geodetic VLBI: measuring the Earth through Space | RAEGE.Az
Copernicus Browser in the classroom | ESERO
3D Modeling – designing a lunar base | EXPOLAB
Robots in Space | EP RIBEIRA GRANDE / OASA
Drones on Mars | EXPOLAB
13:30 – CLOSING
REVIEW 1ST EDITION OF CANSAT JUNIOR AÇORES
REVIEW 2ND EDITION OF CANSAT JUNIOR AÇORES
WHAT IS CANSAT JUNIOR?
A CanSat (“Can” = can + “Sat” = Satellite) Junior is an educational project created in Portugal by ESERO and Ciência Viva, aimed at students in the 3rd basic cycle. It is a simplified version of the European Space Agency (ESA) CanSat project, and consists of building a functional model of a microsatellite capable of measuring atmospheric parameters and sending telemetry to a base station. The CanSat is launched from a certain altitude and during the descent, controlled by a parachute built by the students, it transmits data on temperature, air pressure and altitude, to the base station made up of an antenna, also built by the students, connected to a receiving device and a computer.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
This competition is aimed at the basic education students (middle school) from all schools in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, with the main objective of providing young participants with contact with basic but very practical science and engineering applications in a “real” project. absolutely exciting and impactful in the development of scientific, technical, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Teams of students (minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 members) guided by a teacher are allowed. In this 2nd edition, a team that has already participated must include at least one student who has never participated in the CanSat Junior project. A school can register more than one team.
SELECTED TEAMS
>> MoonGroup – EBS Mouzinho da Silveira (Corvo)
>> Space Dreamers – EBS das Flores (Flores)
>> Whalair Sat – EBS das Lajes (Pico)
>> R0cket Fus10n – EBS da Madalena (Pico)
>> ESMA Sat – ES Manuel de Arriaga (Faial)
>> Velas Space Sat – EBS de Velas (São Jorge)
>> Hubbles – EBS da Graciosa (Graciosa)
>> Mission Olimpus– Colégio do Castanheiro (São Miguel)
>> Vaquinhas Espaciais – EBI de Ginetes (São Miguel)
>> Pescadores Espaciais – EBI de Rabo de Peixe (São Miguel)
>> Astro Terceirenses – ES Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade (Terceira)
>> CLMR Squad – ES de Lagoa (São Miguel)
>> Serrotes Sat – EBS Armando Côrtes-Rodrigues (São Miguel)
>> Reggae no Espaço – EBS Bento Rodrigues (Santa Maria)
>> ESAQ-AIR – ES Antero de Quental (São Miguel)
IMPORTANT DATES
» Until the 15th of November 2024 – Registration for the CanSat Junior Açores teacher workshop.
» 14th of December de 2024 – Teacher workshop in São Miguel Island.
» Until 19th of January 2025 – Teams registration and and submission of videos.
» 20th and 21st of January 2025 – Team selection.
» 22nd of January 2025 – Communication of the selected teams and shipping of the kits.
» 30th and 31st of May 2025 – Final of the CanSat Junior Azores competition, on Santa Maria Island.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Photos: (Credits – Henrique Coelho)
PARTNERS
⚠️ From October 4th to 10th we comemorete the World Space Week 2024, this year under the theme Space and Climate Change! 🚀🪐👨🚀
Over the course of a week there will be activities throughout the archipelago, which highlight the contribution of space sciences and technologies to humanity.🌍
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária Mouzinho da Silveira:
» “Planetary Adventures” with planetary geologist Vera Assis Fernandes
» AstroOvo, Let’s go to the Moon and Solar System (EXPOLAB)
» Activities with robotics, programming, drones and VR (EXPOLAB, Escola Profissional da Ribeira Grande).
20h30 – Opening session of World Space Week, with the presence of the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities and the Coordinator of the Azores Structure for Space, followed by a round table on the topic “Space and Climate Change” – EMA Espaço, Portuguese Space Agency, ANACOM – National Space Authority, and Vera Assis Fernandes – Planetary geologist.
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária da Graciosa
» Space as a teaching and learning context (teachers) – QSR Consulting
» How to use Earth Observation data (students) – CRITICAL SOFTWARE
Activities in Escola Secundária Manuel de Arriaga
» Space as a teaching and learning context (teachers) – QSR Consulting
» How to use Earth Observation data (students) – GEOSAT
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária de Lajes do Pico
» Space as a teaching and learning context (teachers) – QSR Consulting
» How to use Earth Observation data (students) – DEIMOS
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária de Calheta – October 8
» “Planetary Adventures” with planetary geologist Vera Assis Fernandes
Activities in Escola Básica e Integrada do Topo – October 8
» “Planetary Adventures” with planetary geologist Vera Assis Fernandes
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária de Velas – October 9
» “Planetary Adventures” with planetary geologist Vera Assis Fernandes
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária de Velas – October 10
» Space as a teaching and learning context (teachers) – QSR Consulting
» How to use Earth Observation data (students) – SPOTLITE
Activities in Escola Básica e Secundária de Santa Maria
» “Planetary Adventures” with planetary geologist Vera Assis Fernandes
20h30 – Closing session of World Space Week, with the presence of Mrs. Mayor of Vila do Porto and Coordinator of the Azores Structure for Space, followed by a round table on the theme “Space and Climate Change” – EMA Espaço, Bruno Carvalho from Ilex Space, ANACOM – National Space Authority, and Vera Assis Fernandes – Planetary geologist.
On May 24 and 25, the island of Santa Maria hosted the exciting second edition of CanSat Junior Azores, an event that brings together young people with brilliant minds around space exploration and science. Organized by the Government of the Azores, the event attracted participants from various schools in the Azores, all with the aim of launching and operating mini-satellites built by themselves
CanSat Junior is an educational competition that challenges students to design, build and launch small satellites the size of a soda can. These mini-satellites are equipped with sensors to collect data during flight and landing, simulating “real” space missions. The competition provides a practical and inspiring experience, encouraging interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
During the two-day event, the young participants had the opportunity to present their projects, launch the satellites and analyze the data received. The competition was intense, but marked by a spirit of cooperation and mutual learning. The teams showed great creativity and technical skill, reflecting the high level of preparation and dedication.
In addition to the main activities, the event featured various lectures and workshops given by professionals in the space field, providing a broader view of the opportunities and challenges in the sector.
EMA – Space would like to thank all the participants, mentors, volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible. We look forward to the next edition and to continuing to inspire the next generation of space explorers!
Find out all about the second edition of CanSat Junior Azores
HIGHLIGHTS:
Photos day 1 (Credits-Vânia Andrade)
Photos day 2 (Credits-Vânia Andrade)
Videos day 1 and 2 (Crédits-Pepe Brix)
Summary video (Credits-Pepe Brix)
The 11th edition of CanSat Portugal, an educational project run by the European Space Agency (ESA) and organized in Portugal by ESERO and Ciência Viva, took place on the island of Santa Maria from May 1 to 5. This was the return of this competition for secondary school students to the Azores, reaffirming the region and the island in particular as a place of excellence for this type of event. This edition had the support of the Government of the Azores and other entities that definitely contributed to the success of the organization. Watch the video summary of the 5 days of competition. Congratulations to the winners of the various prizes and to all the participants!
1st place and big winner – HermeSat, Salesianos de Lisboa
Ground station award and ANACOM award – AzSat, Antero de Quental Secondary School, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island (Azores);
Award for best technical performance and internship at CEiiA – CarMic, Escola Básica e Secundária Carolina Michaëlis, Porto;
Professionalism Award – MigraSat, Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves Secondary School, Vila Nova de Gaia;
Best scientific mission award – Valkyria Team, Adolfo Portela Secondary School, Águeda;
Best dissemination award – RáSat, Colégio do Sagrado Coração de Maria, Lisbon;
Honorable Mention – CanHelp, Salesianos de Lisboa.
Highlights: