The satellite and associated components will be delivered to CTI Aeroespacial, a joint venture between the Portuguese Air Force and CEiiA, Portugal’s engineering and innovation centre. Discussions are ongoing for the possible purchase of additional satellites in the future.
This satellite will contribute to the Portuguese segment of the Atlantic Constellation, an Earth observation project led by Spain and Portugal. The constellation aims to support environmental monitoring and disaster relief efforts while complementing European systems such as Copernicus.
ICEYE and CTI Aeroespacial have also agreed to collaborate on establishing a satellite assembly facility in Portugal. A memorandum of understanding, signed on the same day, supports long-term cooperation under Portugal’s 2030 Space Strategy.
“We are very proud to collaborate with Portugal in strengthening Europe’s defense and disaster relief capabilities,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE. “This partnership underscores our commitment to providing critical ISR infrastructure and advancing sovereign space technologies within the region.”
For the Portuguese Air Force, the agreement represents a significant milestone in expanding operational capacity. General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, noted: “The Air Force is changing, in accordance with a Flight Plan described as ‘Air Force 5.3’ focused on 5th Generation and the 5th Operational Domain – Space.”
He added: “In addition to the fundamental contribution of the air domain, the success of Portugal’s Security and Defense can only be achieved through the integrated action of multiple operational domains, including Cyberspace and Space.” The strategy aims to provide the Air Force with the tools for situational awareness and space control in areas of national interest.
This announcement supports ICEYE’s ambition to lead in the field of critical ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) infrastructure. The company’s European, sovereign, non-ITAR technology allows rapid delivery of such capabilities to global customers.
Since 2018, ICEYE has launched 48 SAR satellites, both for its own constellation and its clients. In 2025 and beyond, the company plans to launch over 20 new satellites annually, following successful deployments in January and March 2025.
