The Canary Islands are embarking on a new phase in monitoring and protecting their territory with the launch of the Canary Islands Constellation , an ambitious project that involves placing eight small satellites into orbit to monitor the western islands—Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro—on a daily basis. This initiative, led by the Tenerife Island Council and the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC), represents a firm commitment to space development and to equipping the archipelago with advanced tools for resource management , early emergency detection, and the study of the natural environment.
The constellation is scheduled to be launched by the end of 2028 , with an approximate investment of €20 million . The objective is clear: to make the Canary Islands a leader in space-based observation, enabling early warning of phenomena such as forest fires, oil spills, extreme weather events, and the effects of climate change. Furthermore, this technological network represents a pioneering collaboration between scientific and academic institutions and the public administration , placing the islands at the forefront of innovation.
Satellites at the service of the territory and citizens
The Canary Islands Constellation aims to gather information on fundamental aspects of daily life in the archipelago. The satellites will operate in three spectral bands: shortwave infrared, visible, and thermal. This diversity will allow, among other applications, the optimization of agricultural planning through tailored irrigation recommendations and the assessment of local vegetation. But its usefulness extends far beyond this, serving to detect fires, analyze coastal spills, monitor potential episodes of irregular immigration , and even respond quickly to phenomena such as volcanic eruptions.
The system will be integrated into the Tenerife Island Council's Intelligent Emergency Management System (SIGE) , which combines satellite data with ground-based sensors and real-time data analysis to improve response capabilities to any incident . This places the Canary Islands among the best-prepared regions to respond to environmental threats, serving as an example of how space technology can directly benefit society.
According to the IAC, the constellation will monitor the western islands daily and will progressively expand its coverage. The satellites will pass over the area of ​​interest at least once a day, ensuring up-to-date and useful information for government agencies, farmers, scientists, and emergency services.
The DRAGO-3 cameras, developed in the Canary Islands, represent one of the project's most significant advances . These cameras are designed to capture high-resolution images in the infrared spectrum, a capability particularly useful for identifying water stress in crops or detecting subtle changes in vegetation and soil. Furthermore, DRAGO technology has proven to be efficient and compact, allowing for installation on small platforms without compromising image quality.
A technological and scientific boost for the Canary Islands
The project has involved leading figures in the aerospace and scientific sectors, such as Cecilia Hernández, Director of Programs and Industry at the Spanish Space Agency, and astronaut and molecular biologist Sara GarcÃa, who have emphasized the importance of the Canary Islands committing to its own technological development that addresses the region's real needs. In Sara GarcÃa's words, "looking to space to care for the Earth" encapsulates the program's philosophy and highlights the value of collaboration between local scientific talent and institutional support in bringing these advancements to everyday life.
The president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, believes that the deployment of these satellites represents an unprecedented leap forward for the region , improving decision-making capacity and the sustainable management of the territory . Meanwhile, the director of the IAC (Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute), ValentÃn MartÃnez-Pillet, emphasized that the transfer of knowledge from the field of astrophysics to agriculture, security, and environmental research is an example of how science impacts social well-being.
This initiative also promotes the diversification of the island's economy , fostering the creation of skilled jobs and attracting investment. Furthermore, it aligns with the New Space trend, which focuses on developing more agile and affordable space technology tailored to solving specific problems in each region or country.
Technical details and strategic collaborations
Each satellite in the network will operate at altitudes between 450 and 700 kilometers, weigh between 20 and 30 kilograms, and will complete up to 20.000 orbits during its lifetime. The constellation will be deployed in two phases, beginning in the first quarter of 2028 and concluding six months later, ensuring effective and scalable coverage.
The DRAGO-3 camera offers a resolution of 10 meters per pixel and will feature improvements over its predecessors, such as new spectral bands and a modular design that facilitates upgrades and adaptation to future needs. The sun-synchronous system in which it will orbit will ensure it always passes over the same areas at the same solar time, ideal for assessing changes over time.
The project's development has involved the participation of leading entities and experts, including the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics, the Tenerife Island Council, the Spanish Space Agency, the Canary Islands Government, the University of La Laguna, and other scientific organizations. This network of alliances is key to ensuring both technical viability and a positive impact on the region's economic and social fabric.
Through the Canary Islands Constellation , the archipelago is taking a significant step forward in space research and the application of Earth observation technologies, establishing itself as a national and international leader in innovation serving the environment and territorial management. Collaboration between the scientific community, institutions, and local businesses has enabled this ambitious plan, conceived in the Canary Islands, to become a tangible reality with direct impacts on the quality of life of its citizens.