A new Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) has been inaugurated at the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) on the campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). The facility will enable satellites and space technologies to be tested under conditions representative of Earth’s orbit, expanding the capabilities available to the research and space technology communities. The TVAC is a joint project of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and IFAE, made possible through funding from the CERCA Ginys III programme, together with additional support from the Government of Catalonia, the IEEC and IFAE.

Artist and researcher George Mahashe has begun a two-month residency at IFAE within the Platform Dalí programme, exploring connections between scientific research, image-making and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

IFAE welcomed a delegation from the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute to discuss the scientific activities of both institutions and explore possible future collaborations in areas of shared research interest.