Anna Bach, Hypatia II crew executive officer, was invited to speak at “Dones en valor”, organised by 22@ network. This was the first meeting, to promote Catalonia’s expanding aerospace industry. The event took place last February 13th in Barcelona.
During her interview with Susana Prado, she covered recent achievements of Hypatia Mars, particularly the successful completion of the Hypatia I mission in April 2023 and the upcoming mission Hypatia II, planned for February 2025. These missions, which simulated a journey to Mars, focused on the challenges posed by limited resources such as water, food, and communication with Earth. Mission objectives and findings were highlighted, offering attendees insight into Hypatia Mars’ innovative contributions to space exploration.
Anna Bach shared Hypatia Mars’ mission to inspire future generations and increase accessibility to science, especially for young women seeking role models in the space sector. «Our goal has always been to make science accessible and inspiring,» Bach noted.
Mònica Roca was also invited to the event as a speaker and as a founder of the successful company isardSAT, an R&D Space enterprise providing Earth Observation solutions through satellite observations. Roca, who would join the Hypatia II team a month later, talked about the progress of the aerospace sector in Catalonia in recent years, and their goals for the near future.
Celebrating women in leadership
The Dones en Valor series, comprising four luncheons each year, was developed to celebrate the achievements of women in executive, technical, and specialised roles across Barcelona’s tech district. Beyond honouring these accomplishments, the series provided participants the chance to address career challenges, including navigating the «glass ceiling» often faced by women in these fields. This inclusive format allowed for diverse perspectives, and post-event sessions facilitated further discussions and connections across sectors.
Events like Dones en Valor provided Hypatia Mars with valuable opportunities to bring space exploration closer to the community and encourage the next generation to pursue science and technology careers. Through this participation, Hypatia Mars reaffirmed its dedication to a future in which scientific discovery is accessible and collaborative.