Europe

On the last evening of his stay on Terceira island in the Azores, Torsten Kriening had the privilege to interview Dr Alamo Meneses the Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo and host of the CAMoes mission. He is also an University Professor. He was the Director of the Sciences Department of the University of the Azores, and was the founder and leader of the Association of Environmental Defense "Gê-Questa". He is the author of several studies and publications in the areas of environmental impact assessment and management of water resources in insular and coastal regions. He was also a member of the Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores,

Giving the team some time to relax after the CAMoes mission, Torsten Kriening spoke with Dr Helder Chaminé, a/the multidisciplinary geoscience expert and Professor of Engineering Geosciences. His expertise spans GIS mapping techniques for structural geology, applied geology, geotechnics and geohazards, engineering geosciences and hydrogeomechanics, mining and subterranean geology, hard-rock hydrogeology, water resources and thermal waters management. He has interests in geomining heritage, geoethics, history of cartography, military geosciences, higher education dissemination and geo-professional core values. He supported CAMões applied geosciences mapping, geotechnics and geohazards topics.

On day number one after the team left the cave, they gave lectures in the local schools. Before the dinner to celebrate the success of the CAMoes mission, Torsten Kriening spoke with Manuel Vaz, Creator and Co-Founder of GLEX Summit and Founder of Expanding - and instrumental for the success of the CAMoes mission.

Africa, much like the US, Europe, and China, has demonstrated its interest in using space as a means to a societal end. In Africa’s case, the continent has awakened to how space, specifically space science and technology, can assist in addressing Africa’s social and economic challenges. The way the African Space Strategy puts it, Africa needs “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena." The rapid global development of spatial activities is a nifty representation of the fact that the same awakening happened in other parts of the world way before Africa. This may mean that Africa is late to the party, but perhaps it's more encouraging to see it as Africa being able to learn the best model for space development from other more advanced spacefaring nations.

Polaris, a German aerospace start-up, successfully ignited their AS-1 engine on the 22nd of November. This Hot Fire Test was the first time the engine had been ignited. The test took place on an airfield at a former airport in northern Germany. The main material of the engine is Inconel and this engine is a heavy ground test version, with lighter versions of the engine for in-flight testing. 

UP42, a geospatial developer platform and marketplace, and OroraTech, a space-based thermal intelligence company, announced on the 30th of November that they have signed an agreement. Under the agreement they will grant easy and fast access to global high-resolution thermal-infrared imagery. 

This episode of Space Cafè Radio inaugurates our Karman mini-series, produced in collaboration with the Karman Project. The Karman Project every year selects 15 fellows from around the world to foster trust, cooperation, and dialogue between global leaders in space.

Kayrros, an environmental intelligence company, launched a free version of their Methane Map at COP28. It is an open-access, live map which draws insights from Kayrros’ Methane Watch product. With the new Methane Map, Kayrros aims to make climate data more accessible, and give governments, institutions, investors, insurers and individuals to gain insights at every level, from regional overviews to specific facilities. 

The day after the team left the cave, they gave lectures in the local schools. During the session in a full seated alma mater in the school with over 200 kids and teachers, Torsten Kriening spoke with Dr Pedro Marques-Quinteiro. Pedro is an Organisational Psychologist with over 10 years of experience working with people in high reliability organisations and extreme work environments. In March 2018 and February 2020, he led two scientific expeditions to King George (Antarctica) to study teamwork in isolated, confined, and extreme environments. He supports CAMões human performance and behaviour research.

In an interview directly after the end of the mission, Dr Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio, member of CAMoes Crew Zero, gave Torsten Kriening an interview near her home in the cave. Aidyl is a research scientist experienced in space research analogs focusing on astrobiology. She earned her Doctorate in Molecular Genetics at California Institute of Technology and went on to complete postdoctoral work on myotonic dystrophy at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the University of California, where she gained valuable experience in translational research. She will support CAMões molecular genetics, soil health, and microbiologic research.