ICEYE opens Lisbon hub as it expands in Portugal

Finnish satellite manufacturer ICEYE has opened a centre of excellence in Lisbon, expanding its footprint in Portugal as the country builds up its domestic space capabilities. The new hub will focus on research and development in software, systems integration and artificial intelligence, while supporting local hiring and partnerships.

The move complements ICEYE’s role in the Space Hub being developed at the Portuguese Air Force facilities in Alverca, where the company is the satellite and technology partner in a project with the Air Force and CTI Aeroespacial. According to the company, the Lisbon operation will work alongside the assembly, integration and testing unit being developed there, with production due to start by the end of the year.

ICEYE said it will also deepen its industrial and R&D presence in Portugal through Industry Days and joint programmes with universities and research institutes. Rui Costa, the former chief technology officer of Veniam, has been appointed chief executive of ICEYE Portugal.

Portugal has already bought four SAR, or synthetic aperture radar, satellites from ICEYE through the Portuguese Air Force under the New Space agenda, financed by the country’s recovery plan. Two were launched in the first half of this year and the other two are scheduled for launch at the end of October. ICEYE is also extending its natural disaster solution to the Portuguese market, targeting banks, insurers and civil protection agencies.

The company’s expansion in Portugal follows a €1 billion funding round in June led by US private equity firm General Atlantic, which valued ICEYE at about €10 billion.

Originally published at Eco.pt