On the 1^st of April, representatives from the Chamber of Engineers visited Fort Binġemma, the historic 19th‑century fort designated to become Space Park Malta following its transfer to Xjenza Malta. The Chamber was represented by President Dr Inġ. Bonnie Attard, Treasurer Inġ. Maurizio Cappello, Public Relations Officer Mr Philip Azzopardi, and Education Secretary Dr Inġ. Stefania Cristina. During the visit, Dr James Catania, Director for Space Engagement and Programmes at Xjenza Malta, together with Mr Carmel Spiteri, led a comprehensive tour of the premises, outlining the vision for the transformation and providing an update on the preparatory efforts undertaken to date in support of the project.

The proposed transformation of Fort Binġemma is intended to strengthen Malta’s space-related activities, with particular emphasis on research, collaboration, and educational outreach. The initiative is expected to introduce dedicated facilities and specialised equipment, several of which will be the first of their kind in Malta, positioning the country to participate more actively in emerging space‑related domains.

The site is envisaged as a platform for initiatives within the space sector, offering valuable opportunities for students and the public to gain exposure to this field. Planned facilities include an Earth Observation Centre for satellite‑based monitoring, a research observatory, a public observatory, and educational spaces designed to support school programmes and community outreach. The site is also expected to host collaborative areas for research teams and start‑ups, contributing to Malta’s broader strategic vision for innovation and competitiveness in future‑oriented sectors.

The Chamber of Engineers welcomes this initiative and looks forward to continued collaboration with national stakeholders as the project progresses. The Chamber recognises the potential of this initiative to inspire future generations, strengthen Malta’s research ecosystem in the emerging space sector, and contribute to the country’s long‑term scientific and technological development.