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
July 9, 2025
Astronaut for a Day initiative to land in the Azores for the first time in September
The Regional Government is teaming up with the Portuguese Space Agency's Astronaut for a Day initiative, which will take off this year from Santa Maria Island Airport. The 2025 edition of the Astronaut for a Day initiative will take place between September 18 and 21 on the island of Santa Maria. The local airport will be the venue for the zero-gravity flight that will take 30 Portuguese students on a unique experience of floating like astronauts. The initiative, which has already taken 91 young people to defy gravity, gains a new partner this year with the involvement of the Regional Government, which hosts and supports the final phase of the programme. During the final three days of the flight, the 30 finalists will participate in group dynamic activities and training sessions. These will take place on the island of Santa Maria and at the headquarters of the Portuguese Space Agency in Vila do Porto. These sessions aim to broaden knowledge about the national space sector and encourage teamwork. “In hosting the Astronaut for a Day initiative, promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency, the Azores are renewing their ambition to increasingly establish themselves as an important strategic point in promoting space among our young people, who are the future of regional, national and European space ecosystems,” stressed José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government. The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, who is responsible for coordinating matters related to space projects, attended last year's edition of the Astronaut for a Day initiative in Beja, where he encouraged the organisation to hold the event in the Azores. “The Government of the Azores has conveyed to the organisation the Region’s willingness to host the event. In addition to this, the fourth edition of the European Symposium of NEREUS Regions, linked to space technologies, will also be held in the Azores this year,” the government official continued, addressing various initiatives in this area of governance. For Ricardo Conde, President of the Portuguese Space Agency, “bringing Astronaut for a Day to Santa Maria is more than a logistical choice — it is a commitment to territorial cohesion and the active involvement of autonomous regions in establishing Portugal as a space nation.” The 2025 edition of Astronaut for a Day received over 500 applications from all regions of the country, revealing a female majority for the first time. After a demanding selection process, featuring spatial perception and memory tests, physical fitness assessments and interviews, 30 finalists were chosen, including students from the Azores and Madeira. Astronaut for a Day also has the support of the Armed Forces, through the Portuguese Air Force, Ciência Viva, the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the University of Porto, and the Faculty of Human Kinetics of the University of Lisbon.
July 9, 2025
Astronaut for a Day initiative to land in the Azores for the first time in September
The Regional Government is teaming up with the Portuguese Space Agency's Astronaut for a Day initiative, which will take off this year from Santa Maria Island Airport. The 2025 edition of the Astronaut for a Day initiative will take place between September 18 and 21 on the island of Santa Maria. The local airport will be the venue for the zero-gravity flight that will take 30 Portuguese students on a unique experience of floating like astronauts. The initiative, which has already taken 91 young people to defy gravity, gains a new partner this year with the involvement of the Regional Government, which hosts and supports the final phase of the programme. During the final three days of the flight, the 30 finalists will participate in group dynamic activities and training sessions. These will take place on the island of Santa Maria and at the headquarters of the Portuguese Space Agency in Vila do Porto. These sessions aim to broaden knowledge about the national space sector and encourage teamwork. “In hosting the Astronaut for a Day initiative, promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency, the Azores are renewing their ambition to increasingly establish themselves as an important strategic point in promoting space among our young people, who are the future of regional, national and European space ecosystems,” stressed José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government. The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, who is responsible for coordinating matters related to space projects, attended last year's edition of the Astronaut for a Day initiative in Beja, where he encouraged the organisation to hold the event in the Azores. “The Government of the Azores has conveyed to the organisation the Region’s willingness to host the event. In addition to this, the fourth edition of the European Symposium of NEREUS Regions, linked to space technologies, will also be held in the Azores this year,” the government official continued, addressing various initiatives in this area of governance. For Ricardo Conde, President of the Portuguese Space Agency, “bringing Astronaut for a Day to Santa Maria is more than a logistical choice — it is a commitment to territorial cohesion and the active involvement of autonomous regions in establishing Portugal as a space nation.” The 2025 edition of Astronaut for a Day received over 500 applications from all regions of the country, revealing a female majority for the first time. After a demanding selection process, featuring spatial perception and memory tests, physical fitness assessments and interviews, 30 finalists were chosen, including students from the Azores and Madeira. Astronaut for a Day also has the support of the Armed Forces, through the Portuguese Air Force, Ciência Viva, the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the University of Porto, and the Faculty of Human Kinetics of the University of Lisbon.
Nota de Imprensa
June 3, 2025
Santa Maria hosts third edition of CanSat Junior Azores
On May 30 and 31, the island of Santa Maria hosted the third edition of CanSat Junior Azores, an educational initiative involving 15 teams of 78 students and 15 teachers, representing the nine islands of the archipelago. The event was marked by science, innovation and team spirit. With a view to motivating young people towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas, CanSat Júnior challenged basic education school students to build functional microsatellites - the so-called CanSats - simulating a miniature space mission, from launch to data collection and analysis. This edition was a true example of regional inclusion and diversity, with teams from all islands of the archipelago actively participating in this initiative that promotes interest in space technologies and applied sciences. At the end of the competition, the three best teams were distinguished: 1st place: R0cket Fus10n, from Madalena do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School 2nd place: ESAQ-AIR, from Antero de Quental Secondary School (São Miguel) 3rd place: WhalAIR-SAT, from Lajes do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School The third edition of CanSat Junior has once again established itself as a benchmark initiative for promoting scientific and technological skills among young Azoreans, stimulating curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving - essential skills for the challenges of the future. Cansat Junior Azores is organised by the Azorean Government in partnership with the Portuguese delegation of the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO Portugal), Ciência Viva - National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, and the Portuguese Space Agency - Portugal Space. It has the support of the Municipality of Vila do Porto, LeoLabs, EDA, ANACOM, Mirpuri Foundation, OASA, RAEGE-Az, Atlantic Spaceport Consortium, Santa Maria Museum, Santo Espírito Parish Council and NAV Portugal.
June 3, 2025
Santa Maria hosts third edition of CanSat Junior Azores
On May 30 and 31, the island of Santa Maria hosted the third edition of CanSat Junior Azores, an educational initiative involving 15 teams of 78 students and 15 teachers, representing the nine islands of the archipelago. The event was marked by science, innovation and team spirit. With a view to motivating young people towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas, CanSat Júnior challenged basic education school students to build functional microsatellites - the so-called CanSats - simulating a miniature space mission, from launch to data collection and analysis. This edition was a true example of regional inclusion and diversity, with teams from all islands of the archipelago actively participating in this initiative that promotes interest in space technologies and applied sciences. At the end of the competition, the three best teams were distinguished: 1st place: R0cket Fus10n, from Madalena do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School 2nd place: ESAQ-AIR, from Antero de Quental Secondary School (São Miguel) 3rd place: WhalAIR-SAT, from Lajes do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School The third edition of CanSat Junior has once again established itself as a benchmark initiative for promoting scientific and technological skills among young Azoreans, stimulating curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving - essential skills for the challenges of the future. Cansat Junior Azores is organised by the Azorean Government in partnership with the Portuguese delegation of the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO Portugal), Ciência Viva - National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, and the Portuguese Space Agency - Portugal Space. It has the support of the Municipality of Vila do Porto, LeoLabs, EDA, ANACOM, Mirpuri Foundation, OASA, RAEGE-Az, Atlantic Spaceport Consortium, Santa Maria Museum, Santo Espírito Parish Council and NAV Portugal.