LusoSpace

Improving communication and logistics at sea: the loan will support the enhancement of maritime communication systems, with a next-generation technology - the VDES (VHF Data Exchange System), through the satellites launched by LusoSpace. VDES can receive real-time meteorological and oceanographic data, contributing to more accurate route optimization and fostering better logistics synchronization. This leads to improved coordination between ships and ports, including enhanced emergency response capabilities. It facilitates satellite communications between vessels and land authorities, supporting bidirectional communication even during Search and Rescue operations. 

Reducing fuel consumption in maritime transportation: by leveraging VDES for data collection and communication, maritime routes can be dynamically adjusted to avoid adverse conditions, or planned to be more efficient, reducing   fuel consumption and consequently avoiding greenhouse gases emissions. This technology also improves coordination of ship arrivals at ports, minimizing fuel waste caused by waiting times. 

Increase of data about marine pollution and fisheries management: the system VDES enables faster detection and more frequent reporting of oil spills and illegal discharges. Through data analysis, it can correlate the origin of a spill with the responsible vessel, increasing accountability and discouraging illegal activities. Furthermore, VDES supports monitoring of unregulated fishing, enforcement against violations, and communication of area closures due to toxic contamination. 

Enhancing innovation in the blue economy: VDES’s technology enables a maritime communication system that is innovative and cheaper compared to the currently used system and allows communication without any restriction, improving safety and logistics at the sea and at land with  services from E-navigation, weather information, emergency messages, seafloor charts, pollution monitoring, fisheries management, anti-piracy and smuggling prevention, cybersecure communication for defense and position information. 

LusoSpace is a Portuguese engineering company founded in 2002, recognized as the country’s first space startup. Its co-founder, Ivo Yves Vieira, had previously contributed to PoSAT-1, Portugal’s first satellite, which launched in 1993. After years of research and a period working as a missionary in Mozambique, he joined forces with two friends to found the company.

Over the past two decades, LusoSpace has built a strong track record in space engineering, developing magnetometers, optoelectronic instruments, augmented reality solutions, and other critical subsystems used in European Space Agency missions. The company also provides end-to-end engineering services, including design, prototyping, integration, testing, and qualification of space hardware.

Its quality management system is certified under ISO 9001:2015 and ECSS standards (ECSS-Q-ST-70-38C and ECSS-Q-ST-70-28C), ensuring reliability and mission readiness.

Building on this foundation, LusoSpace is expanding from component manufacturing to complete space systems.

Driven by innovation and collaboration, LusoSpace aims to position Portugal as a competitive player in the space economy, delivering cutting-edge technology with environmental and economic impact.