Portugal’s space industry takes a historic leap with the launch of PoSat 2, the country’s first commercial satellite, developed by the startup LusoSpace. The satellite will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, marking a key milestone in Portugal’s space capabilities.
PoSat 2, a tribute to the first Portuguese satellite PoSAT-1, will provide crucial data for maritime tracking, aiming to become the “Waze of the oceans.” Developed by Ivo Yves Vieira, LusoSpace’s CEO, the satellite will help pinpoint the location of ships and enable oceanic communication.
Costing around €1 million, the satellite is part of the ATON constellation, a group of 12 microsatellites designed to revolutionize ocean research. PoSat 2 is the first of its kind to be launched, and as more satellites are deployed, it will allow real-time information sharing among the maritime community—covering positions, routes, onboard passengers, and potential hazards like oil spills or illegal fishing.
While initial communications will have a six-hour delay, full GPS functionality is expected by next year with the completion of the ATON constellation. This will allow for instant messaging between vessels and the identification of previously uncharted ships.
In a practical move, LusoSpace selected SpaceX for the launch due to its affordable pricing and frequent rocket launches. Vieira distinguishes his satellite project from SpaceX’s Starlink, noting the difference in purpose: PoSat 2 offers low-cost short message systems, while Starlink focuses on high-speed internet.
The launch event will take place at 6 pm, with the satellite expected to enter orbit at 6:48 pm. The satellite will take two to three months to reach its final orbit and begin transmitting signals.
This initiative is part of a broader push to develop the Portuguese space industry, including the upcoming satellite factory in Coimbra, which will assemble additional satellites by 2026.
Related News