New satellite factory under construction in Alverca
A new satellite production facility, the Alverca Space Hub, is being built at the Air Force (Força Aérea) installations in Alverca and is expected to be completed by mid-2024. The 1.5 million euro factory will initially produce eight radar satellites for the Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlântico). The project aims to establish Portugal's capacity to build and operate satellites for both domestic and European use.\n\nUpdate: Portugal launches six satellites including first national radar equipment\n\nPortugal successfully launched six new satellites into space on Monday aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. The launch included the country's first radar satellite for Earth observation and four satellites named after famous Portuguese authors, which form the Lusíada constellation (Constelação Lusíada). These new assets will allow for real-time image capture regardless of weather conditions or light levels.
The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea) is Portugal’s military branch for defending national airspace and conducting aerial operations. Created in 1952, it also carries out search-and-rescue, aerial reconnaissance and disaster support such as photographing floods or moving emergency teams. Residents in affected regions may see its planes and helicopters used during storms and relief missions.
The Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlântico) is a collaborative space initiative between Portugal and Spain involving a network of small satellites for Earth observation. These satellites provide real-time data on maritime safety, climate change, and biodiversity across the Atlantic region. The project is linked to the Alverca Space Hub, a satellite factory in Portugal expected to finish construction in mid-2024.
The Lusíada constellation (Constelação Lusíada) is a group of four Portuguese satellites launched to monitor Earth and maritime activities. Named after literary figures like Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa, these satellites are part of Portugal's space strategy.
