Portugal prepares NATO satellite surveillance entry

Portugal is preparing to join NATO’s Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative using the national component of the Atlantic Constellation, a move that would connect the country’s satellite programme to allied surveillance missions. The Armed Forces General Staff told ECO/eRadar that the procedures needed to define the terms of Portugal’s integration are now being developed.

According to the military’s office, the Atlantic Constellation remains a joint project between Portugal and Spain, but each country is building its own component and implementation path in line with national priorities. Portugal chose to first develop national capabilities by placing satellites in orbit, and said the satellites already launched are producing operational outputs while the rest of the constellation is still being developed.

Portugal launched two Atlantic Constellation satellites in March, including one synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, satellite for the Air Force. In June, it bought two more high-resolution SAR satellites from Finland’s ICEYE, to be operated by the Air Force, with launch planned for late October. The Portuguese side of the constellation is expected to include at least 16 satellites.

Spain became the 19th country to join APSS at the recent NATO summit in Ankara. NATO says 19 allies are contributing the equivalent of more than $1 billion to the initiative, which was launched in 2023 and is designed to combine national and commercial surveillance satellites into a large virtual constellation known as Aquila.

Originally published at Eco.pt