Lisbon, July 2, 2024 (Lusa) - The first images captured by the Portuguese Aeros MH-1 nanosatellite, sent into space on March 4, have already been received, according to Thales Edisoft Portugal and CEiiA - Centre for Engineering and Product Development.
"These images represent another step in Portugal's ability to observe the Atlantic Ocean, which will allow for a detailed analysis of the marine ecosystem and climate patterns," the two organisations said in a statement, calling this step an "important milestone".
Launched on 4 March, the nanosatellite established communications with Earth via the Santa Maria teleport in the Azores, operated by Thales Edisoft Portugal, on 19 March.
Positioned at an altitude of 510 kilometres, slightly above the International Space Station, the astronauts' "home", the nano-satellite will observe the Atlantic Ocean in particular for three years.
"This privileged position will allow in-depth analysis of oceanic phenomena, contributing to a better understanding of marine ecosystems and climate patterns," Thales Edisoft Portugal said in March about the launch.
MH-1, a 4.5-kilogram nanosatellite whose name honours the former Minister of Science Manuel Heitor, considered by the consortium to be the driving force behind the project, is the second Portuguese satellite to be sent into space, after PoSat-1, a 50-kilogram microsatellite that entered Earth orbit in September 1993, but was decommissioned after a decade.
The Aeros MH-1 national consortium includes several Portuguese companies and academic institutions, joined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, through the MIT-Portugal cooperation programme.
The CEiiA engineering centre in Matosinhos, one of the partners and which built the nanosatellite, will process the data and images for scientific studies.
The universities of Algarve, Porto and Minho, the Instituto Superior Técnico and Imar - Instituto do Mar, among others, are providing scientific support for the mission.
The nanosatellite, which began work in 2020, represents an investment of €2.78 million, co-financed to the tune of €1.88 million by Feder - the European Regional Development Fund.
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