On 30 June, the AIR Centre, +ATLANTIC and GEOSAT hosted "From Space to Decision: Services for Atlantic Challenges" at the Museu das Comunicações in Lisbon, under the New Space Portugal Agenda. The event brought together public authorities, researchers and industry representatives to explore how space‑based information can support more effective and sustainable decision‑making across Atlantic regions.
Throughout the afternoon, participants were introduced to practical geospatial services that combine Earth Observation, AI and modelling to address Atlantic challenges. All services showcased during the workshop were developed under WP5 of the New Space Portugal Agenda, reflecting the consortium’s commitment to delivering operational tools for Atlantic monitoring and management. Demonstrations covered applications in ocean and biodiversity monitoring, blue carbon, maritime safety, climate adaptation, coastal hazards, offshore renewables and infrastructure management. The programme highlighted how these solutions can support monitoring, planning and operational decisions across the Atlantic.
The AIR Centre played an active role throughout the event. Executive Director Miguel Miranda delivered the welcome remarks and institutional opening, emphasising the importance of strengthening Atlantic‑focused space services and collaboration across sectors.
Researcher Adriana Ferreira contributed to Panel 1 – Infrastructure, Energy and the Blue Economy: how can space services be scaled? The session examined the adoption, operationalisation and long‑term viability of space‑enabled solutions. She delivered a Flash Talk on Internal Wave Detection, underscoring its relevance for enhancing offshore situational awareness. Later, she joined a Round Table with Commander Filipe Reis Vieira, Head of the Navigation Division at the Hydrographic Institute; Marco Alves of WavEC Offshore Renewables; and João Formiga from EDP Global Research and Innovation, where the group explored strategies for expanding the use of space‑derived services across key sectors.
Panel 3 – "Ocean and Biodiversity: What information is needed to protect and manage marine ecosystems?", was moderated by Mariana Ávila, researcher at the AIR Centre. The discussion focused on the information gaps and operational challenges shaping marine management and ecosystem conservation. Researcher Andrea Giusti presented a Flash Talk on Assessing the risk of collisions between cetaceans and vessels, illustrating how space‑based data can strengthen maritime safety and support more effective conservation measures.
Organised by the WP5 consortium of the New Space Portugal Agenda, the event demonstrated how Portugal’s growing space ecosystem is delivering operational services with real impact for Atlantic communities. It also reinforced the AIR Centre’s commitment to advancing collaborative innovation and providing decision‑makers with the tools needed to address environmental, economic and operational challenges across the Atlantic.
Innovation
