NEREUS organised on the 27 February the 16th infosession on education/training in the space sector to explore the role of space observatories on education/training activities as part of their regional ecosystems.
Grzegorz Kopecki, Associate Professor, Department of Avionics and Control Systems, Rzeszów University of Technology highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in advancing space education. He emphasized how local governments and industries play a key role in supporting space education at Rzeszów University of Technology. The discussion also touched upon regional strategies to enhance the role of universities in space-related education and research. The university’s collaboration with space observatories and its involvement in European research initiatives were also explored.
Antonio Cabrera Lavers, Head of Science Operations, Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) provided an overview of the Gran Telescopio Canarias’ (GTC) role in education and training within astronomy and space sciences, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary skills required to work in an observatory.
Elena Tonucci, PhD Researcher, Leiden Observatory shared her experience in developing astronomical instrumentation for direct imaging of exoplanets. She described her work with coronagraphs integrated with wavefront sensing and highlighted the importance of international collaborations, including field research in Chile. Her insights underscored the growing demand for specialized training in observational astronomy and engineering.
Space Opportunities: Benelux Space Startup Competition & Skyport Space Hub
Alice Pellegrino, Space Generation Council introduced the Benelux Space Startup Competition, an initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship in the space sector by providing funding and mentorship to young innovators. The competition aims to bridge the gap between academic research and market-driven solutions.
Micah Kamga Pankeu, CEO, Skyport Space Hub presented Skyport Space Hub, a Paris-based aerospace technology company specializing in urban air mobility solutions. He outlined the company’s efforts in developing vertiports for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles, supporting various sectors such as telecommunications, disaster management, and agriculture. Skyport Space Hub has secured significant funding to advance research and development in this field, highlighting the growing intersection between aerospace technology and sustainability.
Watch here the full discussion:
