Workshop: Discovering exploratory EO use-cases in the Atlantic

The AIR Center, in collaboration with the Regional Government of the Azores, organised on December 9th and 10th, at the Science and Technology Park (TERINOV) in Terra Chã, Terceira Island, the Discovering Use Cases for Exploratory Earth Observation in the Atlantic workshop. During this event, the potential of using Earth Observation (EO) data to support the development of solutions for environmental and sustainable development challenges with which the countries of the Atlantic zone are struggling, was discussed. ESA_Lab @ Açores: Space Technologies for Blue Economy. One of the main goals of the workshop was to generate ideas for collaborative projects in order to enhance the development of relationships between members that make up the AIR Center’s network and entities in the Azores region. On the other hand, it also aimed to reinforce the role of ESA_Lab @ Açores, as a new AIR Center unit created at TERINOV, in the development of these projects. Some of the specific problems affecting the region of the Azores and countries on the African and South American Atlantic coast were addressed. Possible solutions for the creation of innovative technologies and services based on Earth Observation products in the area of Blue Economy were also presented, covering fisheries and pollution monitoring, satellite constellations for the Atlantic Ocean, among others. 40 guests were present during these two days, at Terra Chã, representing entities from different countries such as Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria, United States and Brazil. This event also counted with the presence of the Portuguese Space Agency (Portugal Space) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The Azores Government was represented by the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs and the Regional Directorate for Science and Technology.