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

• Portuguese Space Agency
• PoSAT-1

References