2015 will be key year for aerospace technology in the Azores, says Nelson Simões

The Regional Director for Science and Technology stated today that 2015 will be "an important year for space technologies in the Azores," pointing out the example of Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations (RAEGE).

Nelson Simões spoke at the seminar "Azores - Potential for Space Technology," an event organised by the Regional Government to promote ongoing projects in the area of space technologies. The government official stressed that the RAEGE "will carry out its first major observations in 2015 and is expected to be fully operational."

According to the Regional Director, the ESA and GALLILEO stations on Santa Maria "put the Azores on the path of globalisation. They collect data that are essential for aspects related to the area of defence, which have also application in marine economy, health and control of natural disasters." The seminar also included the presentation of the ARM project by the Graciosa Climate Research Observatory; it provides free data on atmospheric composition and is expected to make a three-dimensional interpretation of the atmosphere in 2015."

"The Azores can benefit from the development of these technologies, using the information provided by the stations located in the Region to apply this knowledge in several areas, such as agriculture, health and climate change," stressed Nelson Simões on the sidelines of the meeting.

The projects presented at the seminar "Azores - Potential for Space Technology" have international partners wishing to collaborate with the Azores, including NASA. For Nelson Simões, it means that the Region "has the possibility and the conditions to establish connections with major foreign companies that wish to invest in the Azores."

The seminar, which was attended by several national and international speakers, also addressed other important topics: Reflectometry from Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Nereus project (Network of European Regions using Space Technologies), the use of remote sensing for mapping of vegetation in protected areas in the Azores and High Resolution Satellites.