The President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization (CSEO) George Dhanos spoke to CNA about the importance of space defense ahead of the DefInSpace competition of the French Space Administration. It is noted that this is the first time that the DefInSpace competition is being held around the world and is coming to Cyprus, as one of the few countries selected to host this high-level competition. It takes place today and Saturday, 3 and 4 June 2022, at the CSEO Discovery Alpha, in Nicosia.
CSEO President George Danos told CSEO that in the era we live in, defence is of paramount importance and especially defence from the high-tech frontier of space.
As he said, in addition to the usual dangers of asteroids and solar storms, we have an accumulation of space debris that is beginning to endanger space activities and our planet.
Last year, we saw the uncontrolled return of a Chinese space rocket, which frightened humanity with the possibility of crashing into a populated area, he stressed.
Now, he said, we want to proactively develop, under the guidance of the French Space Command, solutions here in Cyprus that will contribute to global security from such risks.
We have talented engineers in Cyprus and we will support them to innovate in this important field, Danos stressed to CNA.
What is the DefInSpace competition
DefInSpace, a hackathon of the French Space Command (CDE, or Commandement de lEspace), opens for the first time in the world, and in Cyprus with the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO www.space.cy), and participants have 24 hours to imagine solutions for the future of space defence!
Cyprus has been selected as one of the few countries and partners where this competition will be held and offers the winning teams the opportunity to build their own start-up companies, access to funding or even career opportunities in space. Participants will have the opportunity to connect and be mentored by space professionals and, if they win, watch the launch of a rocket with a satellite payload from the Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.
DefInSpace 2022 is open to students or young innovators in the space sector, with enthusiasm and eagerness to discover the world of defence. It is a classic hackathon, and takes place on 3 4 June 2022 at CSEO Discovery Alpha, Space Research Centre - the new home of CSEO's research and innovation located in the heart of walled Nicosia.
"Cypriot teams have always performed impressively at international events. Several teams have won globally in NASA's annual Space Apps Challenge. Cypriot teams have also received special commendations at ActInSpace, Europe's space startups competition, which is returning later this year," Colm Larkin, Director of CSEO Discovery Alpha, told CNA.
He added that "coupled with the fact that this is the first competition we have held at our new Space Research Centre - CSEO Discovery Alpha - it is a very exciting experience and we are all looking forward to the impressive solutions that the competing teams will build."
DefInSpace is part of CSEO's Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme - which promotes the creation of innovative solutions to the challenges of space exploration and research. The programme helps to create start-ups that can join CSEO's space cluster, thus strengthening Cyprus' innovation and entrepreneurship.
Who can participate
Anyone who has a passion for space and a good idea can take part. No special skills or specific degrees are needed. The competition is deliberately divided into two challenges. One that requires no technical skills and another that requires technical, scientific and engineering skills.
DefInSpace is a perfect opportunity for participants to discover the little-known field of space defense, its future challenges and the new jobs that will result from meeting those challenges. Political science, economics, international and trade law are just some of the many areas needed to prepare integrated sustainable solutions for Europe's space defence.
As traffic (satellites, space station rockets, etc.) in space increases, it becomes relatively "cheaper" and opens up to the private sector. CDE, wants to promote the search for innovative solutions to prepare for subsequent issues due to this bottleneck before they arise. The new space age is already characterised by the emergence of a large number of new technologies with both space and terrestrial applications. Research and innovation, in the field of space defence, can advance faster through flexible, multinational collaboration.
Entries to the competition can be made at https:/www.space.cy/definspace/
DefInSpace challenges for 2022
This year's competition is related to Space Traffic Management. Space Traffic Management (STM) includes the rules for accessing, conducting activities and returning from space safely, and in a sustainable and secure manner.
Space applications, such as communications, navigation and geo-observation, affect all of Europe's economies and societies. For example, summer fires displace a huge number of people every year and have a drastic impact on regional and national economies. An efficient and responsive STM system is essential for the operation of space applications that improve our daily lives, such as communications, navigation and weather forecasting.
The two challenges of the 2022 competition are. What is the role of Member States' Ministries of Defence?
Challenge 2 (Technical): What resources (sensors, networks, data processing, etc.) are necessary to provide an autonomous and reliable space traffic management system at EU level? What contribution could be made by the armed forces of EU Member States?
The format of the competition
Participants will work on the two challenges related to Space Traffic Management, individually or in teams, and present at the end their analysis and an action plan.
After 24 hours, the jury consisting of judges from different fields (academia, industry and armed forces) will evaluate the entries to select the two teams that will represent Cyprus in the international semi-final and final, in Paris, at the end of June 2022. The Mayor of Nicosia, Constantinos Yiorkatzis, will inaugurate the competition. The ceremony will be attended by representatives of the French Embassy, the US Embassy, Ministries, the National Guard and industry. Participants will then receive guidance and work on their selected challenges.
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, the kickoff is at 10:00 a.m. with work on the challenges. At 17:00 the teams will present their solutions to the judges and later in the evening the winners who will qualify for the international semi-final and final in Paris will be announced.
The benefits of the competition
The International Final will take place on 28 June in Paris and the global winning team will have the opportunity to witness the launch of a rocket with a satellite payload at the European Space Agency's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
In addition, participants will receive guidance on space engineering and general space topics. They will also be provided with networking opportunities and possibly even career opportunities.
"As with every competition we have organised in the past, the most valuable aspects are the experience given to the participants, as well as future career opportunities," Colm Larkin added to CBC.
The French Space Command CDE
The CDE was established in 2019 and its priorities included improving the operational efficiency, consistency, visibility and simplicity of the French military space agency. As part of CDE's initiatives, DefInSpace was launched as an annual hackathon in 2021, with a focus on fostering the emergence of innovative ideas that will enable CDE to address ideas and technologies that can modify the use of space in the short and medium term for the benefit of the armed forces.
Also, to promote knowledge of space defence and its ecosystem, in France and Europe, and to promote the image of the CDE to the general public in France and Europe, through its role and missions in serving space defence.
The Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation
The Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) is the main space agency of Cyprus, promoting space exploration and astronomy in Cyprus and around the world. It was established in 2012, with the aim of "Advancing Cyprus in the Space Age" and cultivating the next generation of space scientists by participating in global space exploration missions, while bridging international cooperation in space initiatives and technologies.
Today it has over 1,500 registered researchers, scientists, educators and volunteers and an active social media presence with over 350,000 followers.
Today it has over 1,500 registered researchers, scientists, educators and volunteers and an active social media presence with over 350,000 followers.
With many space research projects underway, including the construction of a mechanism to measure the age of Martian soils, CSEO is creating high-tech opportunities for Cyprus in the field of space exploration.
CSEO is the official representative of Cyprus to the International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), International Astronomical Union (IAU), International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Moon Village Association (MVA), Global Experts Group for Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA), Mars Society, and other international organizations. The CSEO International Council is composed of some of the world's most distinguished individuals who are highly decorated for their contributions to space exploration and astronomy. More information at https:/www.space.org.cy
CSEO is the communication sponsor of the competition.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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