Protocol with Portuguese Space Agency reinforces "strategic importance" of the Azores in the sector, emphasises Paulo Estêvão - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, signed today, on behalf of the Regional Government, a cooperation protocol with the Portuguese Space Agency that will reinforce the Region's "strategic importance" in the space sector.

"There are various strategic advantages reinforced by the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores, further strengthening our importance, which was already significant from a maritime standpoint and is now reinforced in a new sector as important as space," stated the government official. He spoke at the ceremony held at the Conceição Palace, in Ponta Delgada, where the Portuguese Space Agency was represented by its President, Ricardo Conde.

One of the primary missions for the coming years is "Space Rider," which involves the development of a reusable space vehicle for conducting scientific experiments in microgravity and testing service technologies for other space missions, and whose return location will be on the island of Santa Maria.

Paulo Estêvão stated that the regional contribution to this project will amount to three million Euros, earmarked to support the creation of a Space Technology Centre in Santa Maria, with a global budget of 15 million Euros.

In addition to "Space Rider," the development of the space sector in Santa Maria also includes suborbital and, later, orbital launches, which will enable the future launch of satellites.

The creation of a landing site in Santa Maria is a key element in Portugal's support for the "Space Rider" project. The infrastructure will have a landing control centre, as well as a payload processing and analysis platform with highly specialised facilities and expertise.

“Whether by irony of fate or not, or by a twist of geography, we are once again a point of return. This time, it is a fundamental point of return, which is the return of space vehicles to Europe. We are the only point of return in Europe for space vehicles. This gives us fundamental strategic importance,” stressed the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, who is responsible for space matters.

The protocol signed today aims to define the general framework for cooperation between the Azorean Government and the Portuguese Space Agency, within the scope of the coordinated implementation of the National Space Strategy and the Azores Space Strategy, as well as to establish guidelines for the coordination and joint implementation of activities in the five priority areas defined in the Azores Space Strategy.

The parties undertake to cooperate on five strategic areas of the Azores Space Strategy: the development of the downstream sector – applications based on spatial data; the installation of test sites for space technologies and the integration of on-site networks; the promotion of access to space; the advancement of research, development and innovation in space; and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, education and culture in space.

At the same time, a joint monitoring group will be set up, composed of designated representatives from both parties. This group will be responsible for, among other things, contributing to the development of the Portuguese Space Agency's activity plan through joint initiatives to be carried out in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and defining annual joint action plans.

The protocol will be valid for three years and may be renewed for equal periods.