Air Centre CEO elected to the board of the International Academy of Astronautics

Miguel Bello, CEO of Air Centre, based on Terceira Island in the Azores, has been elected to the board of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). This election was announced during the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the world's largest and most prestigious global space event, taking place in Dubai until October 29.

The IAA is an organization that aims to promote the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field, and promote international cooperation for the advancement of aerospace science. It is a non-governmental organization, founded in 1969 in Sweden and recognized by the United Nations since 1996. The first International Astronautical Congress was held in 1950 in Paris. This is not Portugal's first contact with this congress: in 1975, the capital Lisbon hosted this event.

The newly elected Miguel Bello has had a long career dedicated to the space sector. With a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, Miguel Bello was formerly CEO of the DEIMOS Group, with operations in Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Romania, and Italy. He specializes in Space Systems Operation and Engineering, Earth Observation Systems, interplanetary mission planning, and space debris. Since February 2020, he has served as Executive Director of the Air Centre, an international collaboration body that aims to address global challenges and local priorities in the Atlantic Ocean. This center promotes an integrative approach to space, climate, ocean, and energy in the Atlantic, supported by emerging technological innovations and advances in data science.