The Advanced Centre for Space Technologies has been awarded four projects in the first call of the Space Technology Programme (PTE), the resolution of which has been recently announced (https://www.aee.gob.es/Convocatorias/2024/PTE2024.html). The total amount of investment earmarked for these projects is €815,500.

The Space Technology Programme (PTE) is part of the Transfer and Collaboration Programme of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2024-2027, and is promoted by the Centre for Industrial Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) and the Spanish Space Agency. In total, 24 projects have been awarded with a budget of 70 million euros.

The aim of the Space Technology Programme is to support R&D projects in space technologies by granting aid on a competitive basis. Support will be given to R&D projects carried out in collaboration between companies in the field of space technologies, with the relevant participation of research and knowledge dissemination organisations, as is the case of CATEC.

Thus, CATEC will participate as a centre specialising in the development of technologies for the News Space sector in four projects:

HERMES: It will consist of the implementation of redundant and secure communications, emergency and security devices on the ground, using existing infrastructures and connection to low orbit satellites and HAPS type pseudo-satellites. In collaboration with FOSSA, B2SPACE, GRS and MULTIVERSE.

PLESGINT: Based on the development of space technologies that will provide the basis for future rapid emergency response services, thanks to the rapid deployment of multiple coordinated HAPS, on-board processing with AI and 5G NTN5 communications, which will allow real-time monitoring of the emergency area for days or weeks. In collaboration with SATELIOT, UBOTICA, B2SPACE.

LIPTACON: Aimed at boosting the industrialisation of the Star Tracker – nanoST, through the development of: Advanced Artificial Vision; Extended Reality for collaboration with the operator; Conversational Chatbots for collaboration with the operator; Optical and functional characterisation systems for the Star Tracker. In collaboration with Solar Mems Technologies, Augmented Reality Software, 4i Intelligent Insights and Rovimática.

LINCE: An R&D project aimed at enabling the Spanish space sector to develop reliable and industrialisable platforms and payloads that meet the requirements of New Space, positioning the national industry as a strategic leader in high-performance and reliable microsatellite solutions, and strengthening the independence and competitiveness of the sector in low orbit. In collaboration with INDRA, CiTD, Deimos, DHV, Eosol, Sener.

CATEC is already developing different lines of business for the Space sector, combining its high knowledge in the development of technological solutions with a clear orientation to the needs of its customers. Its capabilities include the design and development of technologies for autonomous systems, from highly advanced CNG systems to payloads and swarms of customised systems, as well as advanced manufacturing technologies. In addition, it has extensive experience in space mission structures, satellite and space systems development, on-board data processing and downstream applications.