Tenerife Launches Groundbreaking Satellite Constellation Project

On September 9, the Cabildo of Tenerife unveiled an ambitious project that seeks to establish a state-of-the-art satellite constellation managed directly from the picturesque Canary Islands. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the region’s technological capabilities and aims to enhance the monitoring of environmental changes and resource management.

Overview of the Satellite Constellation Project

This pioneering initiative involves the development of a sophisticated satellite network dedicated to Earth observation, with a total project budget set at €21,769,450. The constellation will consist of eight advanced satellites, each equipped with a cutting-edge Drago-3 camera, which has been developed by the renowned Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC). These satellites are designed to provide daily monitoring of the islands, including Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, ensuring that vital data is collected consistently and efficiently.

Competitive Landscape for Project Bidding

The competitive bidding process for this groundbreaking project has attracted several prominent contenders, including Telespazio Ibérica, Open Cosmos Canarias, and the consortium known as Constelación Canarias. This consortium is a collaboration among several key players in the Spanish aerospace sector, including Aistech Space, Enduro Trading EOOD, and Técnicas Competitivas. Each of these companies brings unique strengths and expertise to the table, making the selection process highly competitive.

The entity that is ultimately selected will be responsible for designing the mission and developing both the space and ground segments of the low-orbit constellation. This comprehensive task includes defining the satellite platform, which will incorporate various cameras capable of capturing images in visible, near-infrared, short-wave infrared, and thermal infrared spectrums. Furthermore, the winning bidder will oversee the entire lifecycle of the satellites, including their launch, operational management, image acquisition, processing, and eventual deorbiting.

Project Management and Strategic Objectives

The IACTEC-Space division of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands is tasked with overseeing the development and management of this satellite constellation project, operating under a Technology Development Agreement specifically for Tenerife. This division is expected to leverage its extensive expertise in astrophysics and technology to ensure the project’s success.

The primary objective of this initiative is to establish a continuous monitoring system for the specified islands and their surrounding maritime areas, extending up to 12 nautical miles. The data collected through this satellite network will be invaluable for assessing the impacts of climate change and for optimizing the management of natural resources, including forests, agriculture, water, and urban areas. Additionally, the project aims to bolster emergency response capabilities related to both natural disasters and human-induced risks, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of the region.

Strengths of the Competing Proposals

The Constelación Canarias consortium is regarded as a formidable candidate in this competitive bidding landscape. Aistech Space has recently been recognized as a strategic company by the CDTI, which underscores its importance in the aerospace sector. Enduro, a Bulgaria-based company, brings a wealth of experience in satellite manufacturing and services, while Técnicas Competitivas contributes a local perspective with its specialization in information and communication technologies.

Telespazio Ibérica, the Spanish arm of the international Telespazio group, has a proven track record in the Canary Islands, having previously partnered with Pegasus Aviation for operations at a drone base in Fuerteventura. Open Cosmos Canarias also has relevant experience, having collaborated with the IAC on the Alisio-1 project, which was the first satellite developed in the Canary Islands. This diverse range of experience among the bidders highlights the competitive nature of the tender process.

The tender process is currently ongoing, with multiple companies actively vying for the opportunity to lead this transformative project. The financial aspects of the project are expected to be phased through to 2031, indicating a long-term commitment to the development and sustainability of the satellite constellation.

Key points

• The Cabildo of Tenerife has initiated a satellite constellation project aimed at Earth observation.
• The project has a budget of €21,769,450 and will include eight satellites.
• The satellites will use a Drago-3 camera for daily monitoring of the Canary Islands.
• Key competitors include Telespazio Ibérica, Open Cosmos Canarias, and the Constelación Canarias consortium.
• The project aims to monitor climate change and optimize resource management.
• The IACTEC-Space division of the IAC is managing the project.
• The tender process is currently underway, with completion expected by 2031.