New Space Portugal, led by GEOSAT, is a consortium of 39 organisations aiming to design, develop, produce, and launch Earth Observation satellites. By 2025, they plan to create satellites for constellations like Atlantic, Open, AIS/VDES, and SAR, and develop a digital platform called Digital Planet to integrate data and offer value-added services.

Prerequisites:

• Understand EO data needs in your nation

• Identify owner/operator of the satellite

• Prepare ground infrastructure and expertise to operate satellite or procure Ground Segment-as-a-Service

• Government program authorization & multi‑year budget

• Procurement authority

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 30–200 M (shared among partners; depends on number of satellites and payload specs)

• Includes: joint mission design and governance setup, smallsat/microsat procurement and integration, payload development (basic optical or multispectral sensors), launch services (rideshare opportunities), shared ground stations and cloud-based data distribution, joint training and technology transfer

Timeframe:

• Overall: 48-72 months for full constellation

• Phase: consortium setup & agreements (12–18 mo), joint design & contracting (12–18 mo), smallsat build/integration & testing (18–26 mo), launch & commissioning (3–6 mo)

Pros:

• Perimeter choice - Allows targeted development and focused investment

• Success rate - Increases buy in from stakeholders

• ROI - Maximises return on investment

Considerations:

• Volatility - The needs gathered can quickly become obsolete and stakeholders will have to be regularly consulted