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Sofia

@sofiafsantos.bsky.social
107 followers 156 following 62 posts

Space Systems Engineering Training Coordinator 🚀 Writing here: substack.com/@sofiafigueiredodossan…

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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Yesterday 🙌 #ArtemisII #Orion #ESA
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
You are trying to solve a problem. How do you decide what data to neglect? When to neglect? This one is on #scoping. And #modelling. Mostly.
open.substack.com
The Rabbit in the Hat
On the Art of Deliberate Wrongness
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Paul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.com · 27/04/2026
This is a set of frames of the surface of Comet 67P taken by the Rosetta mission on 1 June 2016. The particles in the foreground are bits of dust and ice or cosmic rays effects. The "waterfall" of points moving in the background are stars.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Sergeant — From the Latin 'servientem', meaning 'one who serves' or 'servant'. On #leadership.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Common illusions about #teaching: Anyone can teach Teaching is a job, not a profession Teaching is a calling, not work Teachers work short days and have summers off Teaching is easy Good teaching is all about fun Teachers just need to know their subject 🧵
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Space @redditspaceviewes.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NASA releases insane new image of the mighty hexagonal storm on Saturn's North Pole.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
planetary.org
84 NASA missions at risk under new proposal
Proposed NASA cuts would reduce NASA’s workforce by thousands and cancel over 50 space missions.
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Swapna Krishna @swapnakrishna.com · 21/04/2026
This rather creepy photo is Artemis II’s heat shield underwater, as taken by the U.S. Navy. This is the first photo we have of the heat shield, and upon initial examination it doesn’t seem to have the char loss that Artemis I’s had.
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Daniel Pomarède @pomarede.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
NASA Begins Implementation for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Mission to Mars Scheduled to launch in 2028, Rosalind Franklin will be the first Mars rover to search for signs of past or present life under the Red Planet’s surface. #Mars #ExoMars 🧪🔭 science.nasa.gov/blogs/mars-r...
science.nasa.gov
NASA Begins Implementation for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Mission to Mars - NASA Science
NASA has given approval for the agency’s Rosalind Franklin Support and Augmentation (ROSA) project to begin implementation, underscoring the agency’s
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
#NASA is racing to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon. It's "safe" and "reliable". Well... in 1964 the US satellite SNAP‑9A failed, its plutonium power source burned up on re‑entry, spreading Pu‑238 worldwide which was, in later risk models, tied to thousands of extra cancers. 🧵
wired.com
NASA Wants to Put Nuclear Reactors on the Moon
The White House has announced that NASA will work with the Departments of Defense and Energy to put nuclear reactors in orbit and on the surface of the moon.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Quizz time!
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Kevin M. Gill @kevinmgill.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
The workspace in front of the Mars Curiosity Rover following its Sol 4865 drive this weekend. flic.kr/p/2s7yKGe
Rocks and sand. A lot of the rocks have polygonal features on them.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
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Dr Cassandra Steer @cassandrasteer.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Joining the chorus of commentaries about Artemis II as countdown continues. I'm actually only mildly excited. I'm more concerned about what comes next in this geopolitical competition. And to be clear: my bet is on China having the lead, and that not being all bad open.substack.com/pub/spacecit...
open.substack.com
Artemis II - are we excited?
Artemis and the Moon: Part 5. Or: "Why are we going back to the moon anyway?"
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Bob Makichuk 🇨🇦 @bobmakichuk.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
The pictures from the Artemis II mission are spectacular. They will define a generation the was the Apollo program did over half a century ago. It wasn't by accident that the astronauts became top-grade shooters.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
"Just because someone on Reddit reads a sentence that feels generic, or a metaphor that lands a little flat, they (increasingly) conclude with absolute certainty that a machine wrote it, as if mediocre prose is a new invention."
open.substack.com
The AI writing witchhunt is idiotic
(Not to mention, pointless)
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Currently reading... #mentalmodels #cognitivescience #learning #books
substack.com
Sofia Figueiredo dos Santos (@sofiafigueiredodossantos)
Starting the morning by diving into chapter 9 of Mental Models by Jim Heal & Rebekah Berlin, while making space to review some training material. The big idea: Working memory is a limited resource. R...
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ESWW @eswwconf.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
📢 Call for Abstracts for #ESWW2026 is OPEN! 🗓️ Nov 2–6, 2026 📍 Florence, Italy (hybrid) We invite the global Space Weather & Space Climate community to contribute! 👉 Submit your abstract: esww2026.eswan.eu/conference/a... #ESWW #SpaceWeather #SpaceClimate #Firenze #Italy
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Daniel Pomarède @pomarede.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
NASA astronaut Christina Koch hugs the Orion spacecraft in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls flic.kr/p/2s7aCi3 #Artemis 🧪🔭
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, hugs the Orion spacecraft in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Koch, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, Friday, April 10 at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07p.m. EDT). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
“Surely there’s a smarter way to do this” is easily in my top three daily thoughts. Hardman’s latest piece treats the course as a historical convenience rather than the pinnacle of #learning design, and shows how #AI quietly removes many of the old reasons we leaned on it so heavily Worth a read.
open.substack.com
The Course Is Dying as the Unit of Learning
Here’s why, and what’s replacing It
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Jonathan Serrie @jonathanserrie.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
“Before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human, and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.” — Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 11/04/2026
🎉#Artemis II update: Integrity is back on Earth! At 01:07 BST/02:07 CEST, Orion and its crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. 🚀Our European Service Module propelled Orion over 1 million km through deep space, before burning up in Earth's atmosphere, its job complete 🔥 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
NASA's Orion spacecraft and its crew splashed down safely in a deep blue Pacific Ocean, marking the successful end of the Artemis II mission.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
One odd side effect of working in space is realising how much of your job runs on law and politics you only half remember from a slide deck. This offcut is about the map Artemis II is sailing through, and who gets to draw it (or not). #Space #SpacePolicy #Artemis #SciCom
open.substack.com
Sailing by an Unseen Chart
How old sea treaties, lunar loopholes, domestic laws, and media narratives quietly reshape who the Moon is really for
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 09/04/2026
"Four crew members. One spacecraft. One global team." 🌍 From Mission Control’s Mission Evaluation Room, international experts such as @esa.int's Luca Fossati support the European Service Module - supplying Orion with propulsion, power, air and water for Artemis II (📽️NASA) @exploration.esa.int
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 08/04/2026
The #Artemis II Orion spacecraft is equipped with four solar arrays, built by engineers from Airbus Space in the Netherlands. Installed on the European Service Module, these arrays are essential for providing power for Orion and its crew as they travel around the Moon on this historic mission.
Underside of Orion's Adapter Module with ESA and NASA logos, lower half of image shows the European Service Module's solar arrays stowed before launch.Two solar arrays seen with the main and auxiliary engine nozzles at the base of the Orion European Service Module, seen against the blackness of space.A solar array seen with an auxiliary engine and thruster nozzles at the base and side of the Orion European Service Module, seen against the blackness of space with a grey textured partial Moon at right.
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DutchSpace @dutchspace.eurosky.social · 07/04/2026
New favorite shot, European Service Module with ESA logo, Dutch Solar Array Wings, the Moon and Earth :) Hi-res here: images.nasa.gov/details/art0... #ArtemisII
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Paul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.com · 07/04/2026
HOLY SHIT
The Moon! The Sun's corona! A crewed spacecraft! Oh my!
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Spring time! Let the frogs pass 🐸
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Link to Artemis II data 🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕 #ArtemisII #Artemis #Space #Moon
artemis.cdnspace.ca
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Things I read while reviewing content: "It's easier to act yourself into new ways of thinking than think yourself into new ways of acting." #growthmindset
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 02/04/2026
CONFIRMED: Orion was successfully placed into Earth's orbit. ✅ #Artemis II www.flickr.com/photos/europ... (Credits: ESA/S. Corvaja)
SLS lift off for Artemis II
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Loren Grush @lorengrush.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
It's launch day (potentially) here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center! Propellant loading is already well underway. Follow updates with NASA here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR...
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Wow, this has been a good surprise. Some parts are getting my stomach in knots, though. Anyone else? #reading #fiction #books #whenwomenweredragons #kellybarnhill
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Common sense says things settle. Turns out, space disagrees... loudly and at a high voltage! Which leads to my new essay: starts with coffee ☕, ends in orbit 🛰️. What's your field's version of "but I assumed it would balance out"? #scicom #sciencewriting #spacescience
open.substack.com
The Unspoken Contract
On plasma, spacecraft charging, and the assumptions we forget to question.
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 28/03/2026
🚀 Liftoff! #Celeste satellites are on to low Earth orbit for their demonstration mission. @navigation.esa.int
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Been enjoying Paul Kirschner’s “Instructional Illusions”. It’s a great poke at all the things in #teaching and #training that look like #learning but aren’t. If you design or deliver learning in any form, it’s well worth a read.
open.substack.com
Instructional Illusions
Ten Things in Education that Look Right but Aren’t
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Most interplanetary missions are impossible without gravity assists. We basically slingshot them around planets to gain speed for free. But where? How? In which order? Turns out there's a map for that (more of a graph really) 😉 #space #engineering #science #scicom New essay on substack 👇
open.substack.com
A Train Map for Space
On the Tisserand graph and where gravity assists can take you before the software ever runs.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
🚀 Applications open for the #ESA #CNES Cost Engineering Challenge 2025! Uni students, this is your chance to dive into cost #engineering and be part of something extraordinary! Key Dates: - Intro: 17/04 - Deadline for Deliverables: 25/05 - Final Presentation: 06/06 Check here 👇 shorturl.at/S06j1
shorturl.at
Applications are now open for ESA/CNES Cost Engineering Challenge 2025
ESA/CNES are looking for universities that would like to participate with their students in the ESA/CNES Cost Engineering Challenge. This challenge is organized by the ESA and CNES Cost Engineering De...
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
It's the first day of the 3rd edition of the #SpaceWeather Training Course. Jussi, the head of #ESA 's Space Weather Office, is already taking the floor 🌌
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 21/03/2025
📣 Exciting news for #teachers 🎉 #ESAEducation are thrilled to announce the 'ESA Teach with Space' online conference 2025. 🌠 Join a two-day online event on 9-10 July where teachers will have the opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of space and beyond! www.esa.int/Education/Te...
Graphic for ESA Teach with Space conference registration
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European Space Agency @esa.int · 20/03/2025
Today, we’re launching ‘Strategy 2040’, laying out ESA’s future activities and priorities, with a clear and ambitious vision to cement Europe’s leadership in space. #Strategy2040 will evolve and grow over the years ahead. Read more 👉 esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/corpora...
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Nature Astronomy @natastron.nature.com · 18/03/2025
Calling all bibliophiles! Are you a professional astronomer and an avid reader of astronomy/planetary science books, fact or fiction? We are looking for volunteers to review upcoming releases... please drop us a message if you are interested. #AstroSci
media.tenor.com
a cat wearing glasses looks at a book
ALT: a cat wearing glasses looks at a book
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Vic is one of the 30 students participating in the #LifeSupportSystems Solutions from Space for Earth Training Course 2025. In order to complete their project, her team needs your support. Check below 👇 forms.gle/M2tf8usiBEvx...
forms.gle
Utilizing established Space Technology for providing drinking water in extreme situations
Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental need, but it can become severely limited in disaster scenarios or remote locations with inadequate infrastructure. Imagine the challenges faced...
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Getting broke at Brussels' Book Fair. #BookSky
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Last day of the 1st week of the #LifeSupportSystems Solutions from Space for Earth! We went from delving into the #MELISSA project by being absorbed in all space business related stuff. Next week, six teams will present their idea of a service/product derived from a MELiSSA technology. Exciting!
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Pilot editions are always a bit nerve wracking. One never knows what's going to happen. By the end of the first day, I can say we successfully survived! We covered open and closed #ECLSS, the #MELiSSA project and applications and still had time to delve into the compartments 5 and 4B. Not bad 👌
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Dr Space Junk (Alice Gorman) @drspacejunk.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Happy to be one of @space.com's best space books of 2025! 🧪🪐📚🏺
space.com
Best space books for 2025
Lose yourself in the best space books out there as we round up the pick of the out-of-this-world reading material across an array of categories.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
There's an incredible #book by Thoreau that I believe everyone should read at least once - Civil Disobedience. Thoreau speaks about the civil duty to resist unjust laws. A law is only set in stone when we abide by it. 🧵
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
"The department’s access to data across the federal government — has sparked a number of conflict of interest concerns. But those questions are particularly glaring at NASA, as the space agency holds 'proprietary data from NASA contractors, some of whom compete directly with SpaceX.'”
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
“I’m glad to see President Trump work to return our federal government to the meritocracy it should be (...)” Sen. Rick Scott This is highly hypocritical. Access to top schools often depends on wealth, connections and economic advantage. Elite unis have become gatekeepers of success, not enablers.
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Sofia @sofiafsantos.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
New opportunity for uni students and young grads eager to dive into #SystemsEngineering and design manned #space systems. The call for the Space Station Design Workshop is now open. 🗓️ August 23 to 29 📍 Stuttgart, Germany You are required to bring big ideas and bold designs... as usual.
spacestationdesignworkshop.com
Space Station Design Workshop |
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