- The participation of institutional, industrial and scientific leaders consolidates the strategic role of women in the transformation of the space sector.
- New Space & Solutions will hold its second edition from 14 to 17 April 2026 with two face-to-face days at the Cartuja Auditorium – managed by Yventu – and another two virtual days.
As part of Women’s Week celebrations, New Space & Solutions 2026 reaffirms its commitment to equality and the visibility of female talent in the space industry, a strategic sector for innovation, technological sovereignty and economic development.
New Space & Solutions – “Where we tell you what New Space does for us” will once again give a voice to women throughout the event, which will celebrate its second edition in Seville from 14 to 17 April and will once again place the Andalusian capital at the centre of the debate on emerging space technologies. The Cartuja Auditorium – managed by Yventu – located in Seville TechPark, will host the two face-to-face days on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April, while on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 the two virtual days will be held, bringing together international experts to analyse the solutions that are defining the future of the New Space ecosystem.
The female institutional representation will feature the prominent participation of Ana María Marín, Director of the Technical Office of the Director of the Spanish Space Agency, whose presence reinforces the role of women in the governance and strategic planning of the national space sector. During her participation, she will address the need to strengthen the regulatory ecosystem in space matters to adapt it to new global challenges. She has recently pointed this out in various forums, where she has recalled that Europe is defining a common strategic vision, while the ESA is working on the processing of national and European space regulations; and acts as a specialised advisory body in international regulatory forums such as the EU’s COPUOS.
Ana María Marín, Director of the Technical Office of the Director of the Spanish Space Agency, during the first edition of New Space & Solutions held in 2025.
Institutional and strategic leadership
The institutional block will also feature the participation of Catalina García, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia; Lorena Garrido, Deputy Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia; Nieves Valenzuela, Director General for the Promotion of Innovation at the Regional Ministry of Universities, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia; Julia Criado, Deputy Director General for Radio Spectrum Planning and Management at SETELECO; Eva María Vega, Director of the Space Programmes Department at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA); and Silvia de los Santos, Head of Aerospace Technology and Production Processes at the Andalusian Technology Corporation and Technical Director of Seville Spanish Space Capital.
Their participation highlights the growing influence of women in strategic decision-making, radio spectrum management, sustainability, innovation and the development of space programmes.
Lorena Garrido, Deputy Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia, during the first edition of New Space & Solutions held in 2025.
International projection of female talent
New Space & Solutions 2026 will also feature women linked to international space agencies, consolidating the global nature of the event, such as Anna Hiraide, Director of the Paris office of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Pilar Zamora, Executive Director of the Colombian Space Agency; and Abigail Ganopol, Ambassador to Argentina for Mission ShakthiSAT and Head of Launch Operations at the National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE).
These international voices will provide a strategic vision on global cooperation, space operations and female leadership in different space ecosystems.
Female talent, in orbit
Throughout the four days of the event — two in person and two virtual — more than thirty women will actively participate in panels, round tables and sectoral debates. Among them are Carmen Sillero, Senior Analyst for Economics and Policy at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre; Ángeles Fuentes, former President of Euroavia; Melanie Durth, Innovation Manager at Andalucía Aerospace; María del Carmen Muñoz, Professor of Public International Law and Director of the AstroÁndalus University Chair in Aerospace and Astronomical Studies at the University of Jaén; Sara González de la Torre, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cádiz; and Loreto Moraga, President of the Chilean Space Association A.G.
In addition, the Ellas Vuelan Alto association will participate in the second edition of New Space and Solutions with a round table discussion that will offer a different and dynamic perspective on entrepreneurship in the space sector. Moderated by Silvia de los Santos, Head of Aerospace and Production Processes at the Andalusian Technology Corporation and Technical Director of Sevilla Capital Espacial Española, the session will address entrepreneurship from three complementary perspectives: the experience of those who, after working in the sector, decide to launch their own project; the vision of a technology company that has already consolidated its product and is facing new growth challenges; and the commitment of young engineers who see space as a career opportunity from the outset. As Silvia points out, “the space sector is an emerging sector, a sector of opportunities for both technological and professional growth,” and it is precisely from this conviction that Ellas Vuelan Alto seeks to highlight the generation of business and talent that is emerging in an increasingly promising industry.
Its cross-cutting presence — from the space economy to international law, engineering, technological research and society — reflects the consolidation of female talent in all areas of the space ecosystem.
Connection with commander and astronaut Nichole Ayers from the International Space Station during the first edition of New Space & Solutions held in 2025.
Inspiring interviews
New Space & Solutions 2026 will once again include a specific section dedicated exclusively to female leadership, in which leading professionals from the sector will be interviewed with the aim of sending an inspiring message to girls and young women interested in STEM and space careers.
This space will feature Carmen Aguilera, Director of Operational Market Development at the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA); Nieves García Alcaide, Microwave Engineer at Alter Technology; Lorena Garrido, Deputy Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia; Silvia de los Santos, Head of Aerospace Technology and Production Processes at the Andalusian Technology Corporation (CTA) and Technical Director of Sevilla Capital Espacial Española; and Mariló Torres, Commercial Astronaut Candidate at Titans Space Industries.
This block will focus on real role models, impactful career paths and personal experiences that contribute to breaking down barriers, generating scientific vocations and consolidating a more diverse, competitive and sustainable sector.
New Space & Solutions 2026 is thus consolidating its position as a meeting place where innovation, international cooperation and female talent converge to build the future of the space sector, highlighting that equality is not only a social objective, but also an essential condition for the technological and strategic leadership of Europe and the global space ecosystem.
All New Space & Solutions conferences will be available for viewing on demand through The Observatory, Medina Media Events’ digital platform, where each conference will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free of charge.
The second edition of New Space & Solutions is organised by Medina Media Events and 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 Environment, Canary Islands Aerospace Strategy (Government of the Canary Islands), Netmetrix, Sceye, Rohde & Schwarz, Azo Space, PCB Piezotronics, Pablo de Olavide University, CATEC, UARX, HALO Space, Kistler, Eurecat, DEKRA, Open Cosmos, Solar MEMS, B2Space, Quside, Systratec, Keplerkoord, Augusta Abogados, Bufete Mas y Calvet, LORTEK, Flux, Metadev, NDK, Alfalite, the University of Malaga and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, among others.