Portugal Space Explained

Portugal Space
Native Name:Agência Espacial Portuguesa
Seal:Portugal Space Agency Logo.png
Headquarters:Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal
Employees:<100 (2020)
Budget: €40,0 million (2020)
Chief1 Name:Ricardo Conde
Chief2 Position:Secretary-General
Website:ptspace.pt
Jurisdiction:Portuguese government

Portugal Space (Portuguese: Agência Espacial Portuguesa) is the Portuguese Space Agency created by the Portuguese government in collaboration with the regional government of the Azores in 2019.[1] It is headquartered at Santa Maria Island, in the Azores, Portugal.[2] The agency succeeds the Space Office of the Foundation for Science and Technology.[3]

Objectives

Its objectives are to promote and implement the "Portugal Space 2030".[4] Strategy to articulate the management of the various national programs linked to Space.[5] PT Space is responsible for ensuring the regular publication of the Portuguese Space Catalogue.[6] [7]

The agency focuses on Earth observation and the small satellite industry[2] in addition to the creation of a space port on Santa Maria Island.[8] Overall the agency will focus on how space can be used to solve problems on the ground.[9]

The National Space Agency coordinates Portuguese participation in the European Space Agency (ESA)[2] and also advises the Portuguese government on contributions and subscriptions made to ESA. In collaboration with FCT, Portugal Space manages funds from ESA and the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and represents Portugal in these international organizations, as well as in the newly created Board of Directors of the European Solar Telescope (EST). Portugal Space is also Portugal's national representative to the European Commission for space-related matters, namely the European Space Program (Copernicus, Galileo, GOVSATCOM, SSA) and Horizon Europe and sits on the board of directors of the GSA (future EUSPA).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-09-04. Portugal Space: o “novo miúdo do bairro”. 2022-02-03. Portugal Space. pt-PT.
  2. Web site: Agência Espacial Portuguesa arranca já em 2019. 2018-12-21. 2022-04-18. pt-PT.
  3. Web site: Portugal Just Launched a National Space Agency!. 2019-04-26. 2022-04-18.
  4. Web site: Lusa. Agência. Presidente da agência quer tornar Portugal uma nação espacial em 2030. 2022-02-03. Observador. pt-PT.
  5. Web site: Firmino. Teresa. “O grande desafio é que Portugal tenha capacidade de produzir e operar satélites”. 2022-02-03. PÚBLICO. pt.
  6. Web site: Insider. D. N.. 2020-06-30. Inquérito da Portugal Space quer retratar setor espacial português. 2022-02-03. DN Insider. pt-PT.
  7. Web site: Portugal Space lança Catálogo Espacial Português . 2021-11-18. 2022-04-18. pt-PT.
  8. Web site: Lançado concurso para construção de um porto espacial em Portugal. 2022-04-06. 2022-04-18. pt-PT.
  9. Web site: Space Cafe WebTalk 33 minutes with Ricardo Conde – Portugal’s Journey into Space Recap. April 2022. 2022-04-18.