One of the most valuable resources we have to protect are the world Oceans, as they make an important component of the Earth system, with a prominent role both as a mobiliser of technological, scientific, economic and social development. As Portugal starts to assume a stronger position as a robust space-faring nation, we look for the scientific and economic synergies that the New Space could leverage to prospect, monitor and value the Oceans in a sustainable manner, aligned with both the “Atlantic Interactions” research agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Consortium shall develop Portuguese technologies and competences to monitor and value the ocean, by combining national and international knowhow to build the AEROS constellation. Managed from Portugal, AEROS is an integrated system of assets and capabilities including different existent, improved and new platforms, operating in the Ocean and Space, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and technologies, all connected through a communication network linked to a data gathering, processing and dissemination system.
To promote the national scientific and entrepreneurial ecosystems, and boost the links and connections between both, AEROS combines private companies like Edisoft, SpinWorks and DST, universities, as FCUP, UAlgarve and UAçores, and research and interface institutions, to better balance the two, including CEiiA, IBS, IN+ and IPMA. To fast track innovation and industrial development and the internationalization that AEROS can achieve, the national entities have partnered with researchers from different fields within MIT.