- Two young Andalusians spoke with astronauts in orbit 400 kilometres from Earth in one of the most exciting moments of the event’s second edition.
The second edition of New Space & Solutions experienced one of its most inspiring moments with the live link-up with the International Space Station, featuring two young Andalusians who fulfilled their dream of speaking to astronauts in orbit from Seville.
Daniel Castro, a 14-year-old from Seville with an early passion for space exploration and a student at Pablo de Olavide University, and Alejandra Estévez, a 17-year-old student at the Colegio Marista San Fernando in Seville who took part through AstroEmociones, had the opportunity to ask questions live to the crew of the International Space Station during a historic communication 400 kilometres from Earth.
The connection took place during the event’s opening day, when NASA astronaut and US commander Jessica Meir, alongside European Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Sophie Adenot, shared their experiences live from the International Space Station with the audience at the Cartuja Auditorium in Seville.
During the conversation, Daniel and Alejandra asked the astronauts questions about life in microgravity, the human body’s adaptation to space, and the future of space exploration. In doing so, they became the first young people from Andalusia to engage in a live video conversation with astronauts in space , going beyond traditional radio communications.
Daniel Castro and Alejandra Estévez during the live link-up with the International Space Station on the opening day of New Space & Solutions 2026.
The astronauts explained that from the very first moment “everything is surprising”, from launch to the most everyday activities such as eating or sleeping. They also highlighted the sensation of moving in three dimensions and the human body’s rapid adaptation to microgravity, despite the physiological changes that occur during the first few days in orbit.
During the event, they also discussed some of the experiments currently being carried out on the International Space Station, focusing on the study of blood flow, changes in vision and the cultivation of food in microgravity – research that will contribute both to future space missions and to improving life on Earth.
The session concluded with a message specifically addressed to the younger generation. “Go for it, without hesitation,” they encouraged girls and young people interested in the space sector, emphasising the importance of international cooperation and young talent for the future of space exploration.
The conversation also featured contributions from various officials present at the event, who were able to ask the crew questions live. Among them were Álvaro Pimentel Siles, Deputy Mayor of Seville; Daniel Escacena, Secretary General for Research and Innovation; María López Sanchís, Secretary General for the Environment and Climate Change; and José Javier Alonso Membrives, Secretary General for Industry and Mines, in an exchange that brought the reality of life in orbit closer to the attendees and reinforced the institutional nature of this historic connection.
Officials from Seville City Council and the Regional Government of Andalusia joined Daniel Castro and Alejandra Estévez during the live link-up with the International Space Station on the opening day of New Space & Solutions 2026.
This moment became one of the most notable highlights of New Space & Solutions 2026, which once again placed Seville at the centre of the global dialogue on the future of space, bringing space exploration closer to society and fostering STEM careers among young people.
The event, which takes place from 14 to 17 April 2026, combines two in-person sessions at the Cartuja Auditorium —managed by Yventu— at Sevilla TechPark, with two further sessions held online, bringing together experts, institutions and companies from the space sector.
All the conferences at New Space & Solutions will be available to watch on demand via The Observatory, Medina Media Events’ digital platform, where each conference will be available free of charge.
The second edition of New Space & Solutions is organised by Medina Media Events and is supported by Seville City Council; the Regional Ministry of Universities, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia; the Regional Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment; the Regional Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines; Canary Islands Aerospace Strategy (Government of the Canary Islands), Netmetrix, Sceye, Datatec Instruments, Rohde & Schwarz, Dassault Systèmes, PCB Piezotronics, Pablo de Olavide University, CATEC, Isdefe, UARX, HALO Space, Kistler, Eurecat, DEKRA, Open Cosmos, Solar MEMS, B2Space, DAS Photonics, Quside, Systratec, Keplerkoord, Augusta Abogados, Bufete Mas y Calvet, LORTEK, Flux, Metadev, NDK, Alfalite, the University of Málaga, EQA, the Polytechnic University of Valencia and Amplify, amongst others.