Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, which oversees the space sector, welcomes the significant participation of 40 Azorean students in the 5th edition of the “Astronauts for a Day” programme.

Promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency (PT Space), the initiative set an all-time national record this year, with 762 applicants.

This figure represents an increase of 217 applications compared to last year, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm of younger generations for the aerospace sector.

The high level of participation in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (40 applicants) reflects the impact of policies to promote scientific literacy and young people’s interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which are fundamental to the future of the archipelago.

For the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, “these figures are a source of great pride for the Azores.”

He added: “The data shows that our young people are ambitious, attuned to new horizons of knowledge, and keen to play an active role in the development of the space sector – an area where our Region has competitive advantages that are unique in the world.”

The government official also emphasised that the Regional Government remains committed to creating the conditions for local talent to find genuine training and career opportunities within the Azorean space sector.

The selection process, which is notable for its near-total gender parity at a national level (380 girls and 382 boys), will now move on to the stages of video assessment, cognitive tests and physical tests.

The culmination of this competition will hold particular symbolic significance for the Region: the 20 selected finalists will take part in a parabolic flight scheduled for September 20, departing from Santa Maria. This will be the second edition of the event to take place on the island, which hosted the event last year.

The Government of the Azores wishes every success to all the Azorean participants who remain in the race to "touch space" from their own homeland.