Portugal is a nation of navigators and explorers. This fearless and adventurous character remains part of the Portuguese contribution to expand the horizons of humankind. Although historically connected with the ocean, we aspire to go farther: to outer space! And there just happens to be a lot in common between ocean and space exploration.
Last year, the School of Engineering of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto) was immersed in space science thanks to the inaugural workshop “Space, Ocean and Earth Insights — BIO, GEO and TEK” (SOE’22) where experts and colleagues came together to discuss the frontier of space exploration. The workshop was a joint collaboration between the University of Texas at Austin Portugal Program, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science’s Center for Robotics and Autonomous Systems, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), Space for All Nations initiative, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, inSITE Project, and Portugal Space. This international effort had the support of the Luso-American Development Foundation.
SOE’22 strengthened the working relationship and connections between all institutions and their researchers. It boosted collaboration and research work amongst participants. The workshop included a visit to the technical exhibition at INESC TEC’s Lab for Robotics and Autonomous Systems where participants learned first-hand how autonomous systems and several underwater technologies operate. The workshop fostered discussion about space exploration progress and opportunities while highlighting the importance of Portugal and United States science and technology cooperation to harness the potential of the space sector.
Yvette M. Gonzalez, Visiting Researcher at the University of Plymouth and Ricardo Conde, President, Portugal Space | PT Space co-chaired the workshop in 2022. Special guests Prof. Maria João Viamonte, President of the School of Engineering of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto and Prof. Luísa Bastos, Head of the Ocean Dynamics, Coastal, and Water Systems group at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) contributed to the dialogue. Prof. José Mendonça, Chairman of the Board of INESC TEC and National Director of the UT Austin Portugal Program, graciously closed out the day, acknowledging the critical place this collaboration has in advancing science and the hopes for more research in the future.
This event contributed to the beginning of a new era of space exploration in Portugal. Experts came together to talk us through their latest research across several fields of knowledge feeding into space exploration: space medicine, geo-robotics, aeronomy, and remote sensing, just to list a few. This event included a comprehensive discussion and emphasized the importance of international science and technology cooperation in order to boost the potential of the space sector.
The SOE’22 workshop was an opportunity to create synergies between all stakeholders and discuss future collaborations and projects. It was also an opportunity to better understand the Portuguese space ecosystem and the potential of the INESC Technology and Science Associate Laboratory. Participants had the chance to visit the Robotics Laboratory and the “Mar Profundo” (Deep Sea) research vessel. Teams were able to visit the Geosciences Department at the University of Aveiro and get to know the research that Slavka Carvalho and Ricardo Oliveira are carrying out related to Mars.
The SOE’23 | Space, Ocean and Earth Insights event returns this summer. The event is co-organized by INESC TEC and the UT Austin Portugal Program. Participating collaborators include the TEC4SEA team, IIAS, and the Space For All Nations team. This year the workshop will be part of the Global Exploration (GLEX) Summit. Our panels and expert guests will share key insights and dialogue critical to the future of exploration. The event will be hosted on Terceira Island, in the Azores. In June scientists, technology experts, policymakers and other key stakeholders will dive into The Quest to Inspire a Universe of Extreme Explorers. SOE’23 will foster discussion between invited panelists and the audience about the future directions of space and ocean research to highlight points of intersection that demonstrate that when we learn more about one extreme environment we gain more insights about the other.
This partnership between GLEX’s organizers, the Explorers Club and Expanding World, and our team demonstrates the importance of the cooperation between scientists, policy makers, and the technology industry to leverage the potential of the space-earth-ocean interaction.
Our Chair and moderator, Yvette Gonzalez, anticipates that we will, “yet again bear witness to profound inspiration from our invited contributors. I’m hopeful about a future filled with these humans”.
For more information about the upcoming 2023 workshop please visit : https://www.inesctec.pt/pt/eventos/soe23-space-ocean-and-earth-insights
Free registration SOE’23 for in-person or virtual attendance at: https://www.eventbrite.pt/e/special-session-space-ocean-and-earth-insights-tickets-603791946967
GLEX Summit Academic Tickets can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.pt/e/glex-summit-2023-tickets-579148728437
For more information about the 2022 workshop please visit https://utaustinportugal.org/space-workshop-2022/. You can watch the 2022 recording here: https://youtu.be/dm3W7yo_6js
Ana Pires
Scientific Coordinator of SOE, first Portuguese female Scientist-Astronaut and Researcher at INESC TEC’s Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
Yvette Gonzalez
Visiting Researcher, University of Plymouth Oral Health Services and Clinical Epidemiology Research Group / National Fellow & Women 16 Honorary Member of the Explorers Club.
