THE NEW SPACE PORTUGAL AGENDA
The New Space Portugal project, one of the mobilising agencies financed by the Recuperation and Resilience Plan (PRR), is a consortium of 41 entities that aims to place Portugal at the forefront of global markets of the worldwide space sector, with the development, production and launch of Earth Observation satellites.
CTI Aeroespacial participates in WP10, 12, 14, 16 and 18, focusing on the development of the SAR component (satellites with synthetic aperture radar), on the construction of facilities for the future manufacturing of satellites, on the creation of a data platform for defence and on support for the development of the next launch base of the Portuguese Air Force.
WP10 (PPS8) – Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Constellation
WP10 aims to introduce a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) component into the Atlântico Constellation to reinforce the surveillance of Portugal's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), regardless of weather or light conditions. This PPS consists of the acquisition of the constellation's first SAR satellite, CA01, launched on 30 March 2026. Currently, CA01 has already completed the LEOP (Launch and Early Operations Phase) and is in Commissioning, with completion expected in the coming months.
WP12 (PPS10) – Satellite Manufacturing Facilities
This PPS consists of a physical infrastructure in Alverca for the development, construction, integration and testing of medium-sized satellites (up to 500kg). Given the level of ambition of the New Space Portugal Agenda, the post-PRR expansion of the Atlântico Constellation and the new opportunities in European programmes such as "Earth Observation Governmental Services" (EC), "ERS" (ESA) and the federated constellation concepts (EDF and NATO), the creation of national infrastructure for satellite development cannot be wasted. The infrastructure will have the capacity to develop, produce and test up to 8 satellites per year, with at least two clean rooms (ISO-7 and ISO-5), allowing simultaneous work on commercial and classified projects, namely with ICEYE.
WP14 (PPS12) – Atlantic Constellation SAR NexGen
This PPS aims to reinforce the SAR component of the Atlântico Constellation. Given the current geopolitical context and the growing interdependence between the space sector and defence, the need to guarantee 4 daily revisits with a minimum resolution of 50 cm was identified, further justifying the creation of a new generation of SAR capability, complementary to the VNIR capabilities of PPS11. This PPS consists of the construction of 2 SAR satellites in partnership with ICEYE, with delivery expected by June 2026 and launches by the end of the same year.
WP16 (PPS14) – Atlantic Defence Data Hub
The Atlantic Defence Data Hub is a structuring initiative that aims to reinforce national strategic and technological autonomy and its European articulation, positioning itself as a critical infrastructure to support the operation of the Atlântico Constellation. It foresees the consolidation of a secure data processing and storage centre, complemented by ground stations, cloud services and digital tools (DT Tools), which ensure interoperability, scalability and resilience. The training of specialised human resources is also a central pillar, guaranteeing an autonomous and continuous operation, with a focus on security, sovereignty and timely response.
WP18 (PPS16) – Air Force Space Base
The "AIR FORCE SPACE BASE" is a national space access infrastructure, with dual-use (commercial and Defence), designed to guarantee strategic launch autonomy on national territory and for Europe. Led by the Portuguese Air Force, it includes capabilities for integration, storage, launch, monitoring and control of space vehicles, with facilities for small and medium-sized launchers. Located in Santa Maria, Azores, it benefits from an exceptional geostrategic position for launches towards the South, with air and maritime corridors less congested than Kiruna, Andøya or regions of the UK. The meteorological and orbital advantages of the Azores allow frequent, safe and economically viable access.
