On October 24, 2024 the Iberian Space Partnership between SATLANTIS Microsats SA (Spain) and CEiiA and GEOSAT (Portugal and Spain) has been signed.
This agreement marks a significant milestone for space cooperation between the two countries, creating new opportunities for technological and commercial development in the space sector.
The signing of the Iberian Space Partnership [Alianza Espacial Ibérica] termsheet took place at the CEiiA headquarters in Matosinhos (near Porto, in Portugal), with the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, Luis Montenegro, and the participation of other prominent authorities such as Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, and the President of the Northern Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission, António Cunha.
Additionally, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, and the Basque Government’s Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, contributed to the event via digital means.
Representing the industrial side, notable attendees included the President of CEiiA, Isabel Furtado; its CEO, José Rui Felizardo; GEOSAT CEO Francisco Vilhena da Cunha; and SATLANTIS CEO Juan Tomás Hernani, accompanied by the Basque Government’s Deputy Minister, Zigor Urkiaga.
The signed agreement marks the first implementation step of the Atlantic Constellation, featuring a precursor satellite that merges very high-resolution visible data with infrared and polarimetric data. Named GARAI by SATLANTIS, this satellite will be GEOSAT’s third in operation and serves as the forerunner of a very high-resolution (VHR) generation that will start orbiting with its initial launch planned for January 2025.
From left to right: Francisco Vilhena da Cunha, GEOSAT's CEO, Juan Tomás Hernani, SATLANTIS' CEO and Isabel Furtado, Ceiia's President, during the signature ceremony of the IBERIAN SPACE PARTNERSHIP
The Portuguese Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the New Space sector and highlighted how this cooperation between Portugal and Spain showcases the foresight in establishing the Iberian agreement for the Atlantic Constellation. He affirmed that the contract between GEOSAT and SATLANTIS is a critical step in the strategy to strengthen space industry cooperation between both countries.
Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, referenced the recent Spain-Portugal summit in his address, noting that “Portugal’s remarkable progress in its space industry has been evident, reflected in the collaboration and importance of companies from both countries, such as GEOSAT and SATLANTIS, which are driving a new era for the Iberian space industry.”
The lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, stated that “this agreement marks a milestone for the Basque space industry and its contribution to the Iberian Space Partnership. The inclusion of the Garai microsatellite in this constellation strengthens our strategic alliance in the Atlantic Arc and positions Euskadi as a key player in the development of Earth observation technology in Europe […] Euskadi is committed to the future of the aerospace industry and New Space.”
Juan Tomás Hernani, CEO of Satlantis, highlighted that “the precursor satellite Garai (GEOSAT-3) will allow GEOSAT to achieve an incredible milestone: starting operations in the Atlantic Constellation in early January with a multisensor platform covering infrared to sub-metric multispectral visible ranges, offering capabilities that surpass some of the best satellites currently in operation. Its clients, in sectors such as infrastructure, sustainability, and security, will combine polarimetric, infrared, and visible data along with video, unprecedented in satellites weighing 100 kg or less.”
Francisco Vilhena da Cunha, CEO of GEOSAT, stated that this partnership “will accelerate the launch of the Atlantic Constellation from Portugal, with a new satellite, the GEOSAT-3, enabling GEOSAT to enter new fields such as fire detection and monitoring gas emissions like methane. This satellite will serve as a precursor for the entire constellation, laying the groundwork for the development of new optical satellites to meet market demands in terms of revisit time, resolution, and new sensors.”
