Spanish Space Agency (AEE) and the European Space Agency (ESA) selected Open Cosmos to lead the Spanish component of the Atlantic Constellation. Photo: Open Cosmos

Open Cosmos will lead the Spanish component of the Atlantic Constellation, an Earth Observation initiative from Portugal and Spain. The Spanish Space Agency (AEE) and the European Space Agency (ESA) selected Open Cosmos, the company announced Oct. 16. 

Open Cosmos is headquartered in the U.K. and has offices in Spain, Portugal, and Greece. The company has been tasked with designing and building eight microsatellites with multiple sensors onboard. The satellites will be built in Open Cosmos facilities in Barcelona and are set to be delivered by 2027. 

The Atlantic Constellation is a shared constellation of Earth Observation (EO) satellites, primarily driven by Spain and Portugal, that aims to provide high-frequency data for environmental monitoring, climate management, and disaster relief. The UK Space Agency previously contracted Open Cosmos to build a U.K. pathfinder satellite for the constellation, and Iceye is building a satellite for Portugal’s component as well. 

“Open Cosmos is delivering some of the most ambitious constellations in Europe and being awarded this one in Spain, is not only very special to me as a Spaniard, but also pivotal in the growth of our pan-European company. Spain has one of the most thriving space ecosystems in the world and at Open Cosmos we feel privileged to have been selected for this strategic tractor project,” Open Cosmos CEO and founder Rafel Jordà commented. 

Each satellite will be equipped with high-resolution multispectral optical cameras, GNSS reflectometry sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and an automatic vessel identification (AIS) system for maritime monitoring. 

Open Cosmos is working with Satlantis, the Institute of Space Sciences, Alén Space, and FOSSA Systems as other partners on the project that will provide the instruments.