Tenerife launches a €21 million "Constellation of Satellites" to monitor the island

Yesterday, the authorities of Tenerife gave the green light to the "Canary Islands Satellite Constellation" (CIC) project. It will cost 21.3 million euros. Together with the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC), they plan to create, launch, and operate eight observation satellites. Everything, from the project to the launch, will be done in Tenerife. This was announced by the island's president, Rosa Dávila, after a council meeting.

Dávila emphasized that this "pioneering" project will allow for "constant monitoring of the island's territory." They will collect "data on climate change, natural resources, forests, and also respond to emergencies."

This project is important for the island's security. It will become part of an emergency management system that will combine satellite data, ground-based sensors, and real-time information analysis. This will help anticipate risks and respond to them more quickly.

The satellites will provide daily updates on climate change, forest, agricultural, water, and urban resources. It will also help prevent and respond to natural and man-made disasters.

Previously, they collaborated with ITER and IAC on the Drago satellite project. But this "constellation" is a big step forward for the security of Tenerife, Dávila said.

The island's president added that this project is an investment in the development of the island's economy, particularly in the aerospace industry.

Innovation Councilor Juan José Martínez noted that these investments make us not only users but also developers of space technologies.

"This project promotes production, creates jobs, attracts investment, and supports local talent," he added.

The total budget of the project is over 21 million euros. It is designed for six years, from 2026 to 2031. The first satellites are planned to be launched in late 2026 or early 2027. And by 2028, they will be able to transmit images around the clock.

The constellation will consist of eight satellites that will monitor the surface of the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. The Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) and its Iactec-Espacio division will be responsible for the development and management of the project.

Each satellite will have three cameras: for visible and infrared light, for the shortwave infrared range, and for the thermal infrared range. This will allow detecting even minor changes on land, vegetation, or in the sea.

Of particular note is the Drago-3 hyperspectral camera, developed by IAC in collaboration with the island's authorities. It will become the "eye" of the constellation, capable of obtaining accurate images for territory management and emergency response.

The satellites will operate at a low altitude, from 450 to 700 kilometers. Each will weigh between 20 and 30 kilograms. During their operation, each will make about 20,000 orbits around the Earth.

For the first time, Tenerife will become the launch site for satellites. Their deployment into orbit will be controlled from the island, and they will be managed from there as well. It is also foreseen that at the end of their service life, the satellites will be deorbited.