Portugal acquires its first Earth observation satellite

An illustrative image of ICEYE's SAR satellite. (ICEYE)

The Portuguese Air Force is to deploy a small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observation satellite as part of its ambitious plan to develop a space capability.

This is the first time that the Portuguese Air Force will operate such a satellite.

A contract to deliver the satellite and associated ground segment was signed on 12 June between CTI Aeroespacial (a joint venture between the Portuguese Air Force, Earth observation satellite imagery specialist Geosat Satélites, and the engineering and product development centre CEiiA) and the Finnish company ICEYE.

The acquisition was funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the European Commission. However, the amount of the contract, delivery, and the launch schedules were not revealed.

According to Chief of Staff of the Air Force General João Cartaxo Alves, the technology reinforces Portugal's capacity for permanent surveillance of its territory and, simultaneously, strengthens the local industry.

The SAR satellite will allow Portugal to capture high- and very-high-resolution images under any weather conditions, thus exercising persistent surveillance of interest for the planning and execution of missions assigned to the service.

This satellite will be part of the Portuguese component of the Atlantic Constellation, a joint Spain-Portugal project that calls for a constellation of 26 small Earth observation satellites, consisting of 12 SAR satellites and 14 optical satellites.

CTI Aeroespacial and ICEYE also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could see the purchase of additional satellites for assembly in Portugal.

The Portuguese Air Force is gradually establishing a space capability in line with the Flight Plan for the Transformation of National Aerospace Power 2024–2030, formally described as ‘Força Aérea 5.3', that was firsthand revealed by Janes in December 2023.