On 8 October, the CEIP San Ignacio del Viar school in Alcalá del Río enjoyed an unforgettable day to celebrate World Space Week. A group of 46 people, including students, families and teachers, visited the Hispasat facilities, where they were welcomed by the company’s president, the astronaut Pedro Duque.
During the visit, attendees learned how the communications satellites that connect the world are designed and built, and discovered firsthand the work carried out by the Spanish company. Undoubtedly the most special moment came when the children were able to talk directly to Pedro Duque and ask him questions about his career, his dream of becoming an astronaut and his experience aboard the International Space Station.
World Space Week
This activity forms part of the World Space Week programme (4–10 October) and the initiatives of Seville, Spanish Space Capital, which aim to make science and space exploration more accessible to the public.
The meeting also served to publicise the ‘Lunar School Constitution’ project at CEIP San Ignacio del Viar, an educational initiative that continues to inspire young people to pursue careers in science. The school is also preparing for its next major challenge: a trip to NASA in March 2026 to learn about the Artemis II mission, supported by Spanish engineer Carlos García Galán and the Education Attaché in Miami.
Here at Sevilla Capital Espacial Española, we celebrate experiences like this that demonstrate the value of dreaming big, learning as a team and looking to space. We would like to thank Pedro Duque for his time and availability, and the Hispasat team — especially Mar and Natalia — for their support in making this meeting such a unique and motivating experience for future generations.
