AEROS MH-1
{{Short description|2024 Portuguese satellite}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = AEROS MH-1
| names_list =
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size =
| mission_type =
| operator = AEROS Consortium
| COSPAR_ID = 2024-043AZ
| SATCAT = 59145
| website =
| mission_duration = 3 years
| spacecraft =
| spacecraft_type = 3U CubeSat
| spacecraft_bus =
| manufacturer =
| launch_mass =
| payload_mass = {{cvt|4.5|kg}}
| dimensions = 10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm (3U)
| power =
| launch_date = {{start-date|4 March 2024, 22:05|timezone=yes}} (UTC)
| launch_rocket = Falcon 9
| launch_site = Vandenberg Space Force Base
| launch_contractor = SpaceX
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Low Earth orbit
| orbit_periapsis =
| orbit_apoapsis =
| orbit_inclination =
| orbit_period = 90 minutes
| apsis =
| instruments =
| insignia =
| insignia_size =
| insignia_caption =
| programme =
| previous_mission =
| next_mission =
}}
The AEROS MH-1 is a Portuguese nanosatellite that is currently orbiting Earth at an altitude of around 510 km.{{Cite web |title=IN+ {{!}} AEROS MH-1, the first satellite totally developed in Portugal was sent to space |url=https://in3.dem.ist.utl.pt/news/aeros-mh-1-the-first-satellite-totally-developed-in-portugal-was-sent-to-space/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=in3.dem.ist.utl.pt}} Launched on 4 March 2024 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, it is Portugal's second ever satellite, after the PoSAT-1.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-05 |title=Satélite português: "Ao fim de 24 horas vamos ter as primeiras comunicações com o MH-1" |url=https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2024-03-05-Satelite-portugues-Ao-fim-de-24-horas-vamos-ter-as-primeiras-comunicacoes-com-o-MH-1-94897839 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=SIC Notícias |language=pt}} Its purpose is ocean mapping and observation, with particular interest in the Portuguese exclusive economic zone in the Atlantic Ocean.{{Cite web |last=SAPO |title=Portugal volta ao espaço com nanosatélite. MH-1 foi lançado a bordo do Falcon 9 |url=https://tek.sapo.pt/noticias/ciencia/artigos/portugal-volta-ao-espaco-com-nanosatelite-acompanhe-em-direto |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=SAPO Tek |language=pt}}
Background and function
The AEROS MH-1 was launched to map and observe the oceans of planet Earth,{{Cite web |title=Portugal to launch satellite |url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-03-04/portugal-to-launch-satellite/86574 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.theportugalnews.com |language=en}} with particular interest in the Atlantic Ocean, since the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone is located there.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=Satélite Aeros: oito segundos para mais uma jornada portuguesa no Espaço |url=https://expresso.pt/revista/fisga/2024-03-07-Satelite-Aeros-oito-segundos-para-mais-uma-jornada-portuguesa-no-Espaco-1d9c817a |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Expresso |language=pt}} 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”.{{Cite web |title=30 years on from PoSAT-1, Portugal returns to major space initiatives |url=https://www.portugal.gov.pt/en/gc23/communication/news-item?i=30-years-on-from-posat-1-portugal-returns-to-major-space-initiatives |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.portugal.gov.pt}}
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).{{Cite web |last=SAPO |title=Trinta anos depois, Portugal lança o seu segundo satélite |url=https://24.sapo.pt/tecnologia/artigos/trinta-anos-depois-portugal-lanca-o-seu-segundo-satelite |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=SAPO 24 |language=pt}} Its name is a homage to Manuel Heitor, former Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education.
Launch
The AEROS MH-1 was launched on 4 March 2024, 14:05 PTZ, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California,{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=AEROS será o segundo satélite português no espaço |url=https://ptspace.pt/pt/novo-enquadramento-legal-permite-lancamento-do-aeros-o-segundo-satelite-portugues/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Portugal Space |language=pt-PT}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=30 anos depois há um novo satélite português no espaço |url=https://4gnews.pt/30-anos-depois-ha-um-novo-satelite-portugues-no-espaco/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=4gnews {{!}} Notícias de tecnologia e reviews especializadas |language=pt-pt}} aboard Space X's Falcon 9, as part of the Transporter 10 mission. It was first Portuguese satellite to be launched into space in over thirty years.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-05 |title=Segundo satélite português já foi enviado para o espaço |url=https://pt.euronews.com/2024/03/05/segundo-satelite-portugues-ja-foi-enviado-para-o-espaco |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=euronews |language=pt}}
Aftermath
The satellite now orbits at an altitude of around 510 km, slightly above the International Space Station.{{Cite web |title=Satélite português em órbita vai estudar o Atlântico |url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/satelite-portugues-em-orbita-vai-estudar-o-atlantico |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.cmjornal.pt |language=pt-PT}} Communications and data collection are carried out from the island of Santa Maria in the Azores.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Portugal lança segundo satélite para o espaço após 30 anos |url=https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2024-03-04-Portugal-lanca-segundo-satelite-para-o-espaco-apos-30-anos-708dc798 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=SIC Notícias |language=pt}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Orbital launches in 2024}}
Category:Space program of Portugal
Category:Satellites orbiting Earth