Portuguese Space Agency strengthens the sector with 40 million in support for dual-use projects

Over the last six years, the Portuguese Space Agency has supported around 70 projects with dual-use potential in the space sector, totalling an investment of about 40 million euros. In addition to responding to both commercial and civil space needs in the fields of communication, navigation, transportation, and space security, these initiatives also represent national technological capacity building in Security and Defence. 

The conclusion is the result of a review carried out by the Portuguese Space Agency that covered all the projects supported since 2019 in the fields of Space Transportation, Telecommunication (SatCom), Navigation, Earth Observation, Space Security (SSA), and Technology for Space Systems, which, although developed for civil and commercial use, have the potential to be applied in the areas of security and defence.  

“These projects, supported by the Portuguese Space Agency, reflect Portugal’s commitment to developing advanced technological capabilities — from systems and instruments to materials — with transversal applications and usage potential in the fields of Security and Defence,” says Ricardo Conde, President of the Portuguese Space Agency. 

Nearly 25% of the projects included in this analysis, corresponding to support totalling 14 million euros, show great potential for dual use. This category contains autonomous monitoring and control systems, essential for critical navigation and positioning operations, optical communication infrastructures, and secure communication systems for government applications. 

• Smart Launcher – Autonomous Monitoring and Control Systems for Space Vehicles: Developed by Deimos Engenharia, this project focuses on developing autonomous monitoring and control systems for space launchers, a technology with direct applications in security and defence. 

• MONINT – Signal quality and integrity monitoring solution for satellite navigation (GNSS) constellations: Led by GMV and the Instituto de Telecomunicações, this solution aims to monitor the quality of GNSS signals to ensure greater integrity and is essential for critical navigation and positioning operations.  

• High Altitude Platforms: The Agency has been supporting various projects to develop high altitude platforms that are useful for secure communication, territorial monitoring, and strategic reconnaissance. 

• Optical ground station: This project establishes an optical communication infrastructure, guaranteeing greater security and encryption in data transmission, with applications in quantum technologies. 

• ATON – Atlantic Observation Network: Led by a consortium of Lusospace, the Hydrographic Institute, GMV, and Air Centre, this project aims to study the development of a space infrastructure with AIS/VDES payloads for maritime monitoring. After a feasibility study supported by the InCubed programme, the constellation is now being implemented with funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) in the New Space Portugal Agenda.  

• PHOAM – Photonic assisted multibeam phased array antenna: Developed by a consortium led by Sinuta, in partnership with the Instituto de Telecomunicações and PicAdvanced, this project aims to create a multibeam flat antenna capable of establishing links with multiple LEO satellites. This product will be aimed at mega-constellations, such as the future European IRIS2 constellation. 

• TACS – This activity led by N10gled aims to develop an agnostic ground station for quantum key distribution (QKD), compatible with various QKD protocols. This product will make it possible to distribute extremely secure keys to ensure communication for critical applications.  

• TECH2CONNECT: Led by Connected, this project aims to develop an Internet of Things (IoT) satellite connectivity service capable of providing connectivity on a global level, without the need for complex proprietary configurations, using hosted payloads instead of its satellites.  

“Over the last five years, the Portuguese Space Agency has supported projects representing an average investment of 6.5 million euros annually. This figure reflects the consolidation of national capabilities in the space sector and the growing perception of space as an essential strategic domain for innovation, security, and technological sovereignty,” concludes Ricardo Conde. 

The complete list of activities detailing the technological fields and entities involved is available here.