Porto Santo is preparing to take on a larger role in Portugal’s expanding space sector with two new installations aimed at satellite communications and space surveillance. The plan was announced by Colonel Pedro Costa, head of the Portuguese Air Force’s Space Operations Centre, at the “Flight Plan Towards Space” event held at Expo Porto Santo. One of the projects is a ground station that will connect directly with satellites in the Atlantic Constellation, an Earth observation initiative being developed by Portugal and Spain. The Portuguese Air Force is building the station with the Centre for Technology and Innovation (CTI Aeroespacial), and the network is expected to grow from two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to at least 14 radar satellites by 2030. The second facility will be an optical Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) sensor designed to monitor satellites and other objects in orbit, helping reduce collision risks as space traffic increases. The ground station is planned for Sítio das Pedras Vermelhas because of its access to communications infrastructure, while the sensor is expected at Cabeço de Bárbara Gomes due to its low light pollution. Colonel Costa also pointed to the rapid rise of Portugal’s space industry, citing Neuraspace, which tracks more than 700 satellites with artificial intelligence, and Geosat, Europe’s second-largest commercial optical satellite operator. Portugal currently operates two Air Force-controlled SAR satellites, with two more due in October, and Colonel Costa said the new satellites will pass over the Autonomous Region of Madeira about every 90 minutes as the country works toward a combined fleet of 14 radar satellites and 12 optical satellites by 2030.
