AEROS MH-1

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 (2024-03-04UTC22:05Z) (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

• Portuguese Space Agency
• PoSAT-1

References

1. "IN+ | AEROS MH-1, the first satellite totally developed in Portugal was sent to space". in3.dem.ist.utl.pt. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
2. "Satélite português: "Ao fim de 24 horas vamos ter as primeiras comunicações com o MH-1"". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
3. SAPO. "Portugal volta ao espaço com nanosatélite. MH-1 foi lançado a bordo do Falcon 9". SAPO Tek (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-03-27.
4. "Portugal to launch satellite". www.theportugalnews.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
5. "Satélite Aeros: oito segundos para mais uma jornada portuguesa no Espaço". Expresso (in Portuguese). 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
6. "30 years on from PoSAT-1, Portugal returns to major space initiatives". www.portugal.gov.pt. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
7. SAPO. "Trinta anos depois, Portugal lança o seu segundo satélite". SAPO 24 (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-03-08.
8. "AEROS será o segundo satélite português no espaço". Portugal Space (in European Portuguese). 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
9. "30 anos depois há um novo satélite português no espaço". 4gnews | Notícias de tecnologia e reviews especializadas (in European Portuguese). 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
10. "Segundo satélite português já foi enviado para o espaço". euronews (in Portuguese). 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
11. "Satélite português em órbita vai estudar o Atlântico". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-03-08.
12. "Portugal lança segundo satélite para o espaço após 30 anos". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-08.