Discover the groundbreaking milestone in Portugal’s space exploration journey with the imminent launch of MH-1, the country’s first satellite. Learn about its development, key features, and its mission to study the oceans from space.
In a remarkable feat of technological advancement and international collaboration, Portugal is set to launch its maiden satellite, MH-1, tomorrow from the Space-X base in California, USA. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone in Portugal’s foray into space exploration.
MH-1, developed through an international partnership with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is the culmination of years of dedication and expertise. Led by Thales Edisoft Portugal in collaboration with CEiiA and a consortium of 12 entities, including SpinWorks and Dstelecom, MH-1 represents the epitome of Portuguese innovation.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art Hyperspectral camera from Spinworks and cutting-edge communications technology from Dstelecom, MH-1 is poised to revolutionize space research. CEiiA, the satellite’s owner, spearheaded its development, including structural design, integration, and qualification tests.
The operation of MH-1 will be overseen by GEOSAT, a subsidiary of CEIIA and Omnideia, with Thales handling software, ground station operations, and initial checks post-launch. Opencosmos provided crucial logistics support for the launch, underscoring the collaborative efforts driving this ambitious project.
The significance of ANACOM in facilitating the satellite licensing process cannot be overstated, highlighting the seamless integration of regulatory support within Portugal’s space program.
MH-1’s launch heralds the commencement of a broader strategy in space exploration, with plans underway for the development of a family of high-resolution satellites in collaboration with Opencosmos and German HBO. These satellites will replace existing ones operated by Geosat, positioning Portugal as a key player in the European satellite landscape.
Operating at an altitude of 510 km and circling the Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of 7 km/second, MH-1 will focus on studying the oceans. Its data will be transmitted to an operations center on the island of Santa Maria, where it will be processed in Matosinhos, providing valuable insights into oceanic dynamics and environmental monitoring.
The launch of MH-1, an integral part of the Aeros project, will be closely monitored at CEiiA, commencing at 8 pm tomorrow. During the ceremony, the significance of the satellite’s name and its mission will be elucidated, underscoring Portugal’s commitment to pioneering advancements in space exploration.
With MH-1’s imminent launch, Portugal enters a new era of space exploration, poised to make significant contributions to scientific research and technological innovation on a global scale.