Engineering:AEROS MH-1
| Operator | AEROS Consortium |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2024-043AZ |
| SATCAT no. | 59145 |
| Mission duration | 3 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | 3U CubeSat |
| Payload mass | 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm (3U) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 4 March 2024, 22:05 (UTC) |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg Space Force Base |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Period | 90 minutes |
The AEROS MH-1 is a Portuguese nanosatellite that is currently orbiting Earth at an altitude of around 510 km.[1] Launched on 4 March 2024 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, it is Portugal's second ever satellite, after the PoSAT-1.[2] Its purpose is ocean mapping and observation, with particular interest in the Portuguese exclusive economic zone in the Atlantic Ocean.[3]
Background and function
The AEROS MH-1 was launched to map and observe the oceans of planet Earth,[4] with particular interest in the Atlantic Ocean, since the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone is located there.[5] It was Portugal's second ever satellite, second only to 1993's PoSAT-1, and its meant to be the first step towards making Portugal “a space nation by the end of the 2020s”.[6]
Work on the satellite began in 2020 and it represents an investment of 2.78 million euros, co-financed by 1.88 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).[7] Its name is a homage to Manuel Heitor, former Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education.[2]
Launch
The AEROS MH-1 was launched on 4 March 2024, 14:05 PTZ, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California,[8][9] aboard Space X's Falcon 9, as part of the Transporter 10 mission.[3] It was first Portuguese satellite to be launched into space in over thirty years.[10]
Aftermath
The satellite now orbits at an altitude of around 510 km, slightly above the International Space Station.[11] Communications and data collection are carried out from the island of Santa Maria in the Azores.[12]
See also
References
- ↑ "IN+ | AEROS MH-1, the first satellite totally developed in Portugal was sent to space". https://in3.dem.ist.utl.pt/news/aeros-mh-1-the-first-satellite-totally-developed-in-portugal-was-sent-to-space/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Satélite português: "Ao fim de 24 horas vamos ter as primeiras comunicações com o MH-1"" (in pt). 2024-03-05. https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2024-03-05-Satelite-portugues-Ao-fim-de-24-horas-vamos-ter-as-primeiras-comunicacoes-com-o-MH-1-94897839.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 SAPO. "Portugal volta ao espaço com nanosatélite. MH-1 foi lançado a bordo do Falcon 9" (in pt). https://tek.sapo.pt/noticias/ciencia/artigos/portugal-volta-ao-espaco-com-nanosatelite-acompanhe-em-direto.
- ↑ "Portugal to launch satellite" (in en). https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-03-04/portugal-to-launch-satellite/86574.
- ↑ "Satélite Aeros: oito segundos para mais uma jornada portuguesa no Espaço" (in pt). 2024-03-07. https://expresso.pt/revista/fisga/2024-03-07-Satelite-Aeros-oito-segundos-para-mais-uma-jornada-portuguesa-no-Espaco-1d9c817a.
- ↑ "30 years on from PoSAT-1, Portugal returns to major space initiatives". https://www.portugal.gov.pt/en/gc23/communication/news-item?i=30-years-on-from-posat-1-portugal-returns-to-major-space-initiatives.
- ↑ SAPO. "Trinta anos depois, Portugal lança o seu segundo satélite" (in pt). https://24.sapo.pt/tecnologia/artigos/trinta-anos-depois-portugal-lanca-o-seu-segundo-satelite.
- ↑ "AEROS será o segundo satélite português no espaço" (in pt-PT). 2024-03-04. https://ptspace.pt/pt/novo-enquadramento-legal-permite-lancamento-do-aeros-o-segundo-satelite-portugues/.
- ↑ "30 anos depois há um novo satélite português no espaço" (in pt-pt). 2024-03-04. https://4gnews.pt/30-anos-depois-ha-um-novo-satelite-portugues-no-espaco/.
- ↑ "Segundo satélite português já foi enviado para o espaço" (in pt). 2024-03-05. https://pt.euronews.com/2024/03/05/segundo-satelite-portugues-ja-foi-enviado-para-o-espaco.
- ↑ "Satélite português em órbita vai estudar o Atlântico" (in pt-PT). https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/satelite-portugues-em-orbita-vai-estudar-o-atlantico.
- ↑ "Portugal lança segundo satélite para o espaço após 30 anos" (in pt). 2024-03-04. https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2024-03-04-Portugal-lanca-segundo-satelite-para-o-espaco-apos-30-anos-708dc798.
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