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Welcome Note
The Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Space) is an entity acting under the direct dependency of the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, with the goal of manage and coordinate all the infrastructures and technical or scientific activities, directly or indirectly related to Space or the aerospace sector, to be developed in the Azores, and to ensure the implementation and monitoring of the “Azores Strategy for Space”
Government Council Resolution 106/2022 de 13 de junho de 2022
"Azores, the Atlantic hub for space."
Nota de Imprensa
May 20, 2026
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired today the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço) and the Association for the Development and Training of the Azores Sea (ADFMA), the entity responsible for managing the Azores Maritime School. The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, was also present at the session. The agreement aims to promote structural synergies between the space and maritime sectors, establishing the Autonomous Region of the Azores as an integrated Atlantic ecosystem for technological innovation. According to Paulo Estêvão, who is responsible for the space sector within the Azorean Government, the joining of forces between both entities enhances the Region’s geostrategic value. Reiterating the importance of the regional commitment, Paulo Estêvão pointed out “the strategic advantages that come with the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores. He pointed out that this will highlight the importance of the archipelago, which was already, from a maritime standpoint, very important, and which is now being reinforced in a new sector as important as space.” One of the key priorities of the agreement now signed is the functional expansion of the future Azores Technology Free Zone (ZLT) to the island of Santa Maria. The Azores Maritime School will actively collaborate in boosting the maritime component of this infrastructure, creating operational conditions for conducting technological trials, ocean-space testbeds, demonstrations of technologies applied to both sectors, and other relevant activities. The partnership also focuses on technical and operational capacity building, promoting training initiatives that apply space technology to the blue economy. Key training areas include Earth observation, satellite navigation, use of drones and autonomous systems, maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring and digital mapping. In terms of research and innovation, the document provides for the development of direct applications for sustainability and the ocean economy. The collaboration aims to leverage the use of spatial data for coastal and ocean monitoring, marine pollution detection, fisheries and aquaculture support, smart port management, ocean-climate observation, creation of digital twins of the ocean, civil protection and natural hazard monitoring, as well as maritime spatial planning and management. EMA-Space remains responsible for the strategic coordination and framework of the space dimension, whilst ADFMA ensures operationalisation, capacity building and the application of technology to the maritime sector. For ADFMA, as represented by the President of the Board of Directors, Ana Rodrigues, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the institution’s role in innovation within the maritime sector. “Establishing this partnership enables us to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and technology in the maritime sector, reinforcing our mission to train highly qualified professionals who are prepared for the emerging challenges of the blue economy,” she emphasised. With this joint initiative, the Regional Government is establishing the archipelago as a centre of excellence and an international benchmark in the convergence of space and the ocean.
May 20, 2026
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired today the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço) and the Association for the Development and Training of the Azores Sea (ADFMA), the entity responsible for managing the Azores Maritime School. The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, was also present at the session. The agreement aims to promote structural synergies between the space and maritime sectors, establishing the Autonomous Region of the Azores as an integrated Atlantic ecosystem for technological innovation. According to Paulo Estêvão, who is responsible for the space sector within the Azorean Government, the joining of forces between both entities enhances the Region’s geostrategic value. Reiterating the importance of the regional commitment, Paulo Estêvão pointed out “the strategic advantages that come with the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores. He pointed out that this will highlight the importance of the archipelago, which was already, from a maritime standpoint, very important, and which is now being reinforced in a new sector as important as space.” One of the key priorities of the agreement now signed is the functional expansion of the future Azores Technology Free Zone (ZLT) to the island of Santa Maria. The Azores Maritime School will actively collaborate in boosting the maritime component of this infrastructure, creating operational conditions for conducting technological trials, ocean-space testbeds, demonstrations of technologies applied to both sectors, and other relevant activities. The partnership also focuses on technical and operational capacity building, promoting training initiatives that apply space technology to the blue economy. Key training areas include Earth observation, satellite navigation, use of drones and autonomous systems, maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring and digital mapping. In terms of research and innovation, the document provides for the development of direct applications for sustainability and the ocean economy. The collaboration aims to leverage the use of spatial data for coastal and ocean monitoring, marine pollution detection, fisheries and aquaculture support, smart port management, ocean-climate observation, creation of digital twins of the ocean, civil protection and natural hazard monitoring, as well as maritime spatial planning and management. EMA-Space remains responsible for the strategic coordination and framework of the space dimension, whilst ADFMA ensures operationalisation, capacity building and the application of technology to the maritime sector. For ADFMA, as represented by the President of the Board of Directors, Ana Rodrigues, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the institution’s role in innovation within the maritime sector. “Establishing this partnership enables us to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and technology in the maritime sector, reinforcing our mission to train highly qualified professionals who are prepared for the emerging challenges of the blue economy,” she emphasised. With this joint initiative, the Regional Government is establishing the archipelago as a centre of excellence and an international benchmark in the convergence of space and the ocean.
Nota de Imprensa
May 4, 2026
Paulo Estêvão congratulates Madalena School on its victory in CanSat Portugal and highlights success of Region’s commitment to space sector
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, publicly congratulated the team of students and teachers from Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, in Pico, on their brilliant and resounding victory in the 13th edition of CanSat Portugal. The winning team, named “Astros Nó Atlântico,” comprises students Sara Oliveira (team spokesperson), Rui Batista, Paulo Gabriel Medeiros, Martim da Costa, Maria Medeiros and Gil Gaspar, and the Robotics Club teachers, António Medeiros and Marta Oliveira. It is important to note that this was the only Azorean team competing in this national event, which brought together 80 students and 20 teachers from 14 schools throughout the country. The Azorean school’s qualification to represent Portugal at the CanSat European Championship, to be held in the Netherlands, demonstrates the excellence of the work carried out. "It is important to emphasise that this distinction and this level of excellence do not happen by chance. They are the direct result of a structured strategy in the Region, underpinned by the work carried out in collaboration with the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço)," stressed the government official. He continued: "It was our commitment to flagship projects, such as CanSat Junior Azores – now in its 4th edition – and our solid organisational capacity and technical preparation that gave our students the skills needed to shine now, compete and win at a national level." The Regional Secretariat reiterates its immense pride in the Azorean youth and the work of excellence promoted by the teaching staff at Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, ensuring that aerospace literacy and investment in science education will continue to be cornerstones of the Region’s future.
May 4, 2026
Paulo Estêvão congratulates Madalena School on its victory in CanSat Portugal and highlights success of Region’s commitment to space sector
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, publicly congratulated the team of students and teachers from Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, in Pico, on their brilliant and resounding victory in the 13th edition of CanSat Portugal. The winning team, named “Astros Nó Atlântico,” comprises students Sara Oliveira (team spokesperson), Rui Batista, Paulo Gabriel Medeiros, Martim da Costa, Maria Medeiros and Gil Gaspar, and the Robotics Club teachers, António Medeiros and Marta Oliveira. It is important to note that this was the only Azorean team competing in this national event, which brought together 80 students and 20 teachers from 14 schools throughout the country. The Azorean school’s qualification to represent Portugal at the CanSat European Championship, to be held in the Netherlands, demonstrates the excellence of the work carried out. "It is important to emphasise that this distinction and this level of excellence do not happen by chance. They are the direct result of a structured strategy in the Region, underpinned by the work carried out in collaboration with the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço)," stressed the government official. He continued: "It was our commitment to flagship projects, such as CanSat Junior Azores – now in its 4th edition – and our solid organisational capacity and technical preparation that gave our students the skills needed to shine now, compete and win at a national level." The Regional Secretariat reiterates its immense pride in the Azorean youth and the work of excellence promoted by the teaching staff at Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, ensuring that aerospace literacy and investment in science education will continue to be cornerstones of the Region’s future.