More than 50 public and private entities took part in the third meeting of the Space Forum, held at the Seville Tourist Office, with the aim of reviewing the actions carried out during 2025 and defining the space roadmap for 2026. The Second Deputy Mayor and Delegate for Economic Affairs, \u00c1lvaro Pimentel, highlighted Seville City Council\u2019s support for the sector in the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the City Council, we will continue supporting initiatives that enhance the international projection of our city and strengthen an ecosystem that integrates talent, innovation, and an international outlook,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, participants outlined the activities that will shape the 2026 space agenda, including the Seville Science Fair (May 6\u20138) and the New Space & Solutions event (April 14\u201317). Scientific outreach also played a central role, featuring a public session entitled \u201cAstrophysics with an Andalusian Accent: Emotions, Challenges, and the Future.\u201d<\/p>\n
This session brought science and astrophysics closer to the general public in an accessible dialogue format. Hosted by Aitor Inazio, founder of AstroEmociones, and featuring Dr. Ren\u00e9 Duffard, researcher at the Instituto de Astrof\u00edsica de Andaluc\u00eda (IAA-CSIC) in Granada, the session emphasized a key idea: \u201cscientific outreach is not an add-on; it is a responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his speech, Duffard praised the efforts the city is making to promote space-related activities, noting that \u201cit not only demonstrates a clear commitment to innovation and technology, but also a forward-looking vision that understands the space sector as a driver of economic, scientific, and social development.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also stressed that outreach is not the only bridge, but that \u201cthe connection between universities, research centers, and companies\u201d is equally important. His own career reflects that connection: in addition to his work at the IAA-CSIC, he is currently involved in projects with the Seville-based company Solar MEMS and previously took part in Dawn, where he programmed the image sequence captured by the spacecraft during its orbit around the asteroid Vesta.<\/p>\n
Drawing on that experience, Duffard welcomed the recent involvement of two Seville-based companies, GMV and Alter Technology, in Artemis II, highlighting the growing role of local industry in internationally significant space projects.<\/p>\n