Faculdade

Departamento

UNIDEMI in the development and construction of the first Portuguese satellite

30-10-2017

The INFANTE Project is an R&D initiative for the development and in-orbit demonstration of a microsatellite, as the first component of a constellation of 12 satellites for maritime surveillance, Earth observation, and communications between satellites and ground stations.

 
UNIDEMI is part of the consortium, composed of nine companies and ten research centers, and its involvement will focus on the propulsion system, being responsible for the development, implementation, and inspection of the orbital welding of the satellite's fuel tanks. An innovative variant of Friction Stir Welding, called “FSW-Joule Effect,” developed by UNIDEMI researchers, will be used.

With a budget of €9.2 million, the consortium aims to launch the first satellite within two years. The satellite will weigh 25 kg and its orbit is expected to be between 300 and 400 km.