Press Releases
Press Release
Ação de divulgação e interação científica em São Miguel e Santa Maria
Press Release
Faria e Castro reitera compromisso do Governo dos Açores na implementação da estratégia dos Açores para o Espaço
Press Release
Government of the Azores wants to motivate young people towards scientific knowledge in the space sector
Press Release
Açores integram projeto europeu SATSDIFACTION
Press Release
Faria e Castro defends promotion of literacy in space exploration
Press Release
Regional Government issues favourable opinion on draft Decree-Law amending space activities
Press Release
Pedro de Faria e Castro received President of the RAEGE Executive Committee
Press Release
Government of the Azores promotes the final of the Cansat Junior competition in Santa Maria
Press Release
Government of the Azores salutes young Azoreans who won an international competition in the area of space
Press Release
Approved the new regime for access and exercise of space activities
Press Release
"Space For Our Planet" exhibition in Ponta Delgada until November 2
Press Release
European symposium of NEREUS regions addresses space data for tourism and agriculture
Press Release
World Space Week 2023
Nota de Imprensa
April 10, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes Azores’ inclusion as full member of Interministerial Working Group on Space
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, welcomed the official inclusion of the Autonomous Region of the Azores as a full member of the new Interministerial Working Group on Space. The new structure of this national coordination body was made official through Order no. 4643/2026, published in the Official Gazette. It ensures the direct participation of the Regional Government of the Azores (and Madeira) in all meetings and strategic decision-making processes. The published decree justifies the inclusion of the autonomous regions due to the “geostrategic importance of the Atlantic islands in the national and European context.” The document clearly acknowledges that “the Azores’ position in the Atlantic provides a point of access and return for space activities of great geostrategic significance, something that is recognised internationally.” For the Regional Secretary, who oversees the space sector within the Regional Government, this active presence in European and national decision-making bodies – particularly in coordinating positions with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union – is already yielding practical benefits of enormous significance for the archipelago. “Our involvement has already yielded a tangible result: progress towards the construction of the Santa Maria Space Technology Centre, which will be used to land unmanned spacecraft,” noted Paulo Estêvão. This flagship project for the island of Santa Maria, developed in collaboration with ESA, represents an overall investment of about €15 million (with €3 million from the Azorean Government). Full integration into this Working Group consolidates the comprehensive strategy pursued by the Regional Government for the development of the regional space ecosystem. The aim is not merely to create infrastructures, but to develop local talent. One example of this is the recent agreement reached with the University of the Azores to establish a cooperation agreement aimed at training qualified personnel in the aerospace technology and research fields. Alongside higher education, this department has been focusing on engaging young people in scientific literacy. This is reflected in the record number of 40 Azorean students selected this year for the 5th edition of the Portuguese Space Agency’s national programme “Astronaut for a Day," whose parabolic flight will be carried out again from Santa Maria Island next September. The Government of the Azores, therefore, reiterates its commitment to strengthening the regional space ecosystem. It will work in close collaboration with the Portuguese Government and international partners to attract investment, create highly skilled jobs and consolidate state-of-the-art technological infrastructures in the Region, ensuring that future generations of Azoreans have real career opportunities in the aerospace sector.
April 10, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes Azores’ inclusion as full member of Interministerial Working Group on Space
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, welcomed the official inclusion of the Autonomous Region of the Azores as a full member of the new Interministerial Working Group on Space. The new structure of this national coordination body was made official through Order no. 4643/2026, published in the Official Gazette. It ensures the direct participation of the Regional Government of the Azores (and Madeira) in all meetings and strategic decision-making processes. The published decree justifies the inclusion of the autonomous regions due to the “geostrategic importance of the Atlantic islands in the national and European context.” The document clearly acknowledges that “the Azores’ position in the Atlantic provides a point of access and return for space activities of great geostrategic significance, something that is recognised internationally.” For the Regional Secretary, who oversees the space sector within the Regional Government, this active presence in European and national decision-making bodies – particularly in coordinating positions with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union – is already yielding practical benefits of enormous significance for the archipelago. “Our involvement has already yielded a tangible result: progress towards the construction of the Santa Maria Space Technology Centre, which will be used to land unmanned spacecraft,” noted Paulo Estêvão. This flagship project for the island of Santa Maria, developed in collaboration with ESA, represents an overall investment of about €15 million (with €3 million from the Azorean Government). Full integration into this Working Group consolidates the comprehensive strategy pursued by the Regional Government for the development of the regional space ecosystem. The aim is not merely to create infrastructures, but to develop local talent. One example of this is the recent agreement reached with the University of the Azores to establish a cooperation agreement aimed at training qualified personnel in the aerospace technology and research fields. Alongside higher education, this department has been focusing on engaging young people in scientific literacy. This is reflected in the record number of 40 Azorean students selected this year for the 5th edition of the Portuguese Space Agency’s national programme “Astronaut for a Day," whose parabolic flight will be carried out again from Santa Maria Island next September. The Government of the Azores, therefore, reiterates its commitment to strengthening the regional space ecosystem. It will work in close collaboration with the Portuguese Government and international partners to attract investment, create highly skilled jobs and consolidate state-of-the-art technological infrastructures in the Region, ensuring that future generations of Azoreans have real career opportunities in the aerospace sector.
Nota de Imprensa
March 16, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
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.
March 16, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
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.