The space technology company ATLAR, specialised in the development of advanced computing platforms and intelligent monitoring tools, related to the operation and control of radars and telescopes, will settle in the Aldeia do Xisto of Fajão, in the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra. A situation that will facilitate and expand a technical and scientific work already started in the Pampilhosa da Serra Space Observatory, an infrastructure integrated in the European and worldwide space monitoring network, located in Porto da Balsa.

For Rui Simão, Town Councillor, this is "a strategic milestone in what the Town Council has been doing for over a decade", in order to position Pampilhosa da Serra "as a territory with unique conditions in terms of space sciences and astronomy".

Hélder Ribeiro, co-founder of the startup, underlines the importance of the fact that there are "several space observation sensors" here, which is advantageous for the company, which, he guarantees, will thrive and "attract new people".

According to the president of the Parish Council, the work carried out by ATLAR from the Space Observatory has already led to the creation of "at least one job and will create even more". Simões also said that this partnership “will boost the local economy (commerce and restaurants)", as the company's new headquarters will also "house the staff and technicians” who will be on site every day.

This lending contract, signed on 14th July, will be extended for a minimum period of two years, but for Carlos Simões, the expectation is that "ATLAR will stay for many a good year".

Rui Simão underlines that it was thus one more step taken towards increasing the territory's "reputation in terms of tourist positioning" when it comes to the "observation of the firmament that can be had from Pampilhosa da Serra".