Young students dive into space engineering at ‘NewSpace’ Scientific Stay in the Pyrenees

The project ‘NewSpace, the engineering of space’ gathered 35 girls and boys from 4th year of ESO, high school and vocational training cycles to familiarise them with the world of space and to show its applications in many areas of society. The stay, held from 7 to 12 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 and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC — Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya), with the collaboration of the GoSTEM association, organise 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 pollution of the Mediterranean.

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