Meet the winners of the Space for Sustainability Award 2021-22

Before the flight

What motivated you to participate in the Space for Sustainability award?

Andrew: Space sustainability is an area that I have been working in for 7 years prior to entering the Award. I always saw the ESA-EISC Space for Sustainability Award to be the pinnacle achievement for young people working in the field. For this reason, participating in the Award was a no brainer!

Mikel: As a young professional, it was the opportunity to come up with a project idea, make it visible and explore further ways to go ahead with it. I am also an astronautics and space enthusiast and that helps throughout the process while you combine it with your current job. 

How did you come up with the project with which you participated in the award?

A: The lack of reliable data available during the coastal management planning process is something which has been regularly discussed within Scotland. To address this, there had been talk for a number of years within both the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University about launching a collaborative project which would look into using space data as a source of new coastal management data which could be integrated into the planning process. The general idea was to boost planning decisions around key or populated areas which are more susceptible to flooding given rising sea levels. However, there was never a viable opportunity to launch such a project. I saw the competition to be a great opportunity to look into the feasibility of this idea, thereby kick starting it. 

M: I combined my past experience working on the development of a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) with a research of how these systems can address  extreme climate events with a strong stratospheric influence. HAPS operate at a stratospheric altitude, approximately 20km above the earth’s surface, where they offer many advantages compared with space satellites. However, a greater operational performance is achieved by combining both systems for earth observation missions and data collection. Here in Spain, as well as in the northern hemisphere and world wide, we have experienced the detrimental impact that the stratosphere has over the surface and that was also a main driver for my project idea.

What did winning the Space for Sustainability Award mean to you and what was your reaction when you found out?

A: When I found out I had won the Space for Sustainability, I was ecstatic. Having dedicated my career to space sustainability, being named the winner meant the world to me. It was the ultimate validation of my work and the certificate is proudly placed on my wall! 

M: Winning this award meant a differential step in my career. Professionally speaking, I find myself in a position where I can still work on my project idea while learning from the space sector at Indra Sistemas S.A., the company I currently work for and where my idea has been well received. Personally, I am glad to make my own tiny contribution working for a project that will have a positive impact in our society. 

I remember that I received an email in July with the results of the award. At that moment, I was on vacation with my couple having a beer on a terrace from Bilbao. That day we celebrated together.

How did you feel during the Prize ceremony and the presentation of your project idea at the EISC plenary?

A: Presenting to the delegates of the EISC Plenary was a huge honour. To be invited to such a prestigious event was something I had never experienced before, and being able to network with such important people was something that I would never have had the opportunity to experience elsewhere. Getting feedback and support for my project from the delegates was something which has no doubt helped it to accelerate to the stage it is at now.

M: Quite nervous and happy at the same time. You are not always given the chance to present a project idea at the French Senate in Paris.  

How did you feel before the flight and what were you expecting from it?

A: Being diabetic, the months prior to the flight involved medical examinations to ensure that I was able to get approval to fly. This was quite stressful, but once approved, telling people that you are going to go on a 0G flight was quite a conversation starter! I was really excited for the flight, but this turned to nerves in the days before the flight as I didn't know what to expect. Whilst we were given a thorough flight briefing on the ground, nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of being in 0G.

M: I read previous experiences from people who flew in 0 gravity, astronauts and scientists, and all of them reported an amazing experience except for those who had motion sickness. What I had in mind was the feeling of diving in a swimming pool but I really wanted to experience true weightlessness by myself. 

After the flight

How did you feel during the flight? Tell us about your experience

A: During the flight, we were able to experience hypergravity, Mars gravity, Moon gravity and 0G. The feeling is something that is so difficult to explain because the sensation is like nothing I have ever experienced before - it was unique. During the parabolic pull up, you are exposed to hypergravity (1.8g). This is a strange feeling where you feel almost twice the amount of Earth's gravity on your body. But then, a pilot signal sounds and you are injected into microgravity. All of that weight disappears instantly and you just start floating. Your natural reaction is to try to swim to orientate yourself, but this doesn't work in 0g! It was surreal how your sense of up and down leaves your during the flight. This was particularly apparently during the end of each parabola when 0g ends and transitions to 1.8g almost instantaneously and you drop to the floor. These changes in gravity did tickle my stomach and made me feel a little sick during the second half of the flight - but it was still an enjoyable experience nonetheless. I particularly enjoyed the fact that I got to fly with Mikel (the 2022 award winner) who I had met and befriended previously at the EISC Plenary. 

M: Everything was new, so while you try to get over your excitement of feeling weightlessness for the first time you also want to freely float in the plane. An amazing journey since our take off to the landing.

Would you recommend to participate to the Space for Sustainability Award?

A:Absolutely! The competition is not overly time consuming and is a very good way to investigate the feasibility of your space sustainability project ideas. To anyone thinking of applying, what have you got to lose? In the worst case, you gain experience in project writing and end up with nothing less than you had before. And you might just surprise yourself (potentially becoming an astronaut for a day)!

M: Yes, the whole process is more than worthy and you learn a lot from your own project idea. In fact, I have shared a couple of posts on social media as a result of the space for sustainability award, since EISC plenary to the 0 gravity flight, and all of them had a positive impact. 

Did the flight meet your expectations?

A: The flight went above and beyond my expectations. The crew had lots of activities planned for each parabola to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. I particularly enjoyed throwing the balls in 0G as its very different to how you would throw one on Earth as there is no arc. I also used it as an opportunity to take a picture of me with an engagement ring in 0G which I used to propose to my now fiancée on the ground. This was witnessed by European Astronaut Jean-François Clervoy and was a first for the AirZeroG team. It was a day that I will always remember for so many reasons!

M: Absolutely, it has been more exciting and enjoyable than expected.

What is your next goal?

A: My goal now is to continue to fight for a more sustainable space sector. The project proposed as part of the competition is now formally being pursued by the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University, with funding placed on the table. With regard to my experience on the flight as a Type 1 Diabetic, I now intend to write a paper on how my blood glucose levels responded to altered gravity conditions, since very little was known on this prior to the flight. More widely, I am working as Science Lead for the delivery of Scottish Space Sustainability Roadmap, whilst having been named Chair of the UK Space Energy Initiative Environment Working Group and being invited to contribute as a member to the ESA LCA/Eco-Design Working Group.

M: I would like to keep working on the development of my project idea. My company has shown a great interest and we already have different stakeholders involved in its development.

What advice would you give to the participants of future editions of the award?

A:I think the key is to write about a space sustainability topic you're passionate about. Find a space sustainability problem without an adequate solution, but don't try to reinvent the wheel or come up with something too obscure without good potential of being implemented. Think to yourself - is this investable? In my opinion, simple, elegant project ideas work best. 

M: I would advise everyone to engage with this award if you want to give visibility to your ideas. You can find inspiration in the way that past editions presented their work and the level of detail that may be expected. Novelty and innovation are key aspects so make sure that you fulfil these requirements while creating a positive impact in our society. The Space for Sustainability award will help you in your professional career and will boost your skills in new areas.

Participate to the Award!!

As you can see, Andrew’s and Mikel's experience is unique and incredible. Our team is delighted that the flight met their expectations and that they enjoyed it as much as possible.

Nevertheless, you can be the next one! If you have any idea related to Space and Sustainability and you are a European under 30 years old, this is your chance! Participate in the Space for Sustainability Award by submitting your poster before the 21st of May 2023!

We wish you the best of luck and spread the word around!