Remote Sensing Micro-satellites in Countries with no Tangible Space Industry

Paper number

IAC-05-B5.1.02

Author

Mr. Ricardo Patricio, Active Space Technologies, Portugal

Year

2005

Abstract

While access to Space is becoming more and more generalized, it is still within the sphere of action of only a few countries. Smaller countries are hugely dependent on the technological know-how, services and products available from those few countries. In-house development is most of the times disregarded, and so is the technology transfer processes inherent to that development policy. Therefore, space experience tends to be concentrated in very specific countries.

Mostly, the technological factors constitute the reasoning for such dependency: acquiring satellite bus, for instance, to other countries rather than develop it in-house cuts both development time and development costs. This is hold even more truely if a project is analyzed in a stand alone point of view and not as a part of a national strategy. In the longer term, countries will pay for not having fomented a technological space strategy, as the era of information and technology demands more space borne platforms.  

Several issues related to economical, social and political status of a country are raised and discussed. These issues will serve as fundament to lay down the drive factors which would enable a country to access space in an independent way through micro satellites. Capabilities, limitations, prospects, and advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail. A rationale for the development of micro-satellites, in space technology developing countries, is presented. Special emphasis is given to Portugal and the Po-Sat, the only Portuguese satellite.

Applications of particular relevance for the Portuguese case study are discussed in detail: forest fire mitigation (generalized to Mediterranean countries), fishery control and defense (Portugal has the largest sea exclusive are in Europe), sand river exploration, illegal dumps and construction, specific Mediterranean crops control, etc.

Finally, other by-products, such as setting a path for missions and technological know how essential to support actions in the frame of emerging Digital Divide programs, are mentioned.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B5.1.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B5.1.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.