Olbia travels to the stars with the first "Aerospace Festival" , scheduled for 11 to 12 May at the Archaeological Museum. A comparison between industry, institutions, research centres, organisations, universities and schools: the event was created to make the area aware of the different development opportunities that aerospace can offer and to raise awareness of the beneficial effects of the "new space economy" .
Several truly "spatial" speakers are expected for the event: the astronaut, in three missions, Paolo Nespoli , and, in connection, the young cosmonaut Anthea Comellini , currently a member of the ESA reserve. Promoter of the initiative is the educational center Astec, a rapidly growing city reality, which disseminates STEM subjects and brings students, but not only, to the world of aerospace. «It is a very fertile and multidisciplinary sector that has transversal applications in many areas», underlined the president Marilisa Pischedda. "We will go to discover them in detail in these days".
Olbia forerunner on issues still little known to the general public: "Now the attention of the news there is a huge project, the Einstein Telescope , which is allowing us to manage this issue on an international stage" said the associate professor of the Uniss Antonio Usai. «In Sardinia we are good at intercepting trajectories; affirming that we understood what the trend of tomorrow was is a great advantage that we cannot escape».
The two days start on Thursday 11, starting at 10 , with the story-telling of the Aerospace District of Sardinia (Dass); among the speakers, the scientist at the head of CRS4, Giacomo Cao; the same will have the role of moderator of the 3.00 pm conference, "The Italian contribution to human and robotic space exploration", with the sector's leading companies present. Followed by "Territorial space economy, start-ups and business innovation", a debate which will also see the participation of Gavino Mariotti, Rector of the University of Sassari, and Maika Aversano, director of Aspal. Friday 12, morning dedicated to the webinar "Stardust, Stem from girls" and meeting (sold-out) "Life in space" with Paolo Nespoli who will dialogue with the students. In the afternoon "Disclosure and passion: aerospace as a driving force for students", curated by the Astec team and the final scientific talk "Hunting for black holes", with the participation of astrophysicists and astronomers.
"Only a few years ago we would not have imagined an initiative of this type," said Aldo Carta, general manager of Cipnes Gallura. «In reality, the new space economy is developing rapidly , public and private invest large sums on these technologies. A difficult topic that thanks to this event we will try to make usable: we must make it clear that what we are doing is important for the whole territory».
«We thank those who believed in the event», commented the Councilor for education and culture of the Municipality of Olbia, Sabrina Serra. «As President Pischedda says, many consider space far from everyday life while instead it is already among us through projects and applications . Special attention was paid to the students, to bring them closer and make them protagonists of the subject». Support, and the exhortation to continue in the next few years, from the vice president of the regional council, Giovanni Antonio Satta. The Festival is financed by the Municipality of Olbia, the Sardinia Foundation and Cipnes Gallura, with the participation of organizations and companies related to aerospace.
