40 young people enjoy the ‘Scientific Stay NewSpace’ in the Catalan Pyrenees

The project ‘Scientific Stay – NewSpace: discovering space applications’ gathered more than 40 girls and boys from 4th year of ESO, high school and vocational training cycles with the aim of familiarising them with the world of space and showing how it helps us in many areas of society. The stay, held from 8 to 13 July, took place at the MónNatura Pirineus centre (Pallars Sobirà).

Within the framework of the Talent and Society axis of the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia, the Government of Catalonia, the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC — Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) and the GoSTEM association organize this project as part of the ‘Scientific Stays’ programme of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation with the aim of promoting scientific vocations, awakening curiosity and stimulating critical thinking among young people. During the week, participants explored NewSpace technologies, focusing on their applications in Earth observation, navigation and communications. They learned, among other things, how to use satellite data to analyse our planet, work with signals from the Galileo constellation and send messages through real satellites.

After assimilating the foundations, the participants formed groups and participated in a hackathon to develop NewSpace applications that would address current problems such as drought, communication in high mountains or the variation of the coastal coastline.

The week ended with a presentation from each group focused on the learnings and their final solution developed.

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