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
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.
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.