Hypatia Mars was invited to contribute to the «EU Workshop on Skills for an Innovative EU Space Ecosystem», in a significant gathering aimed at addressing skills gaps within the European Union’s space sector. Hypatia Mars’ presentation, delivered by Carla Conejo González via video call, highlighted key challenges and potential solutions for a more inclusive and diverse space industry.
The virtual session, attended by representatives from the EU Commission including David Jelínek and Maria Vittoria D’Inzeo, underscored Hypatia Mars’ unique role in fostering an inclusive space industry. The project was included in a session on «Past and Existing Activities to Close the Gap» where Hypatia Mars emphasized the importance of a female-led, multidisciplinary, and intergenerational approach to space projects. Conejo’s intervention explored the initial project inspirations, the values driving Hypatia Mars, and the anticipated impact on outreach, media, and local support in the NewSpace domain.
The workshop identified critical skills gaps, especially in “Inclusion & Diversity,” where Hypatia Mars plans to continue contributing through initiatives like Hypatia II, which will take place in 2025, while also seeking EU funding to further its objectives. As part of the session, the workshop addressed issues such as the need for more comprehensive training, better collaboration across sectors, and harmonization of educational curricula to support the next generation of space professionals.