Project funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and subsidised by the CDTI within the 2024 Space Technology Programme.
This ambitious project aims to promote national scientific and technological knowledge in areas critical to the development of Earth observation missions using small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
NETON focuses on the development and validation of cutting-edge technologies, integrating high-precision sub-metric optics, active in-orbit focusing, agile attitude control, advanced electronic management and real-time data processing using artificial intelligence.
These innovations will enable the design of more efficient, accurate satellites capable of providing Earth observation with unprecedented resolution.
Project objectives
The project aims to promote the development of new technologies for high-resolution Earth observation missions, capable of providing more accurate images and data to help us better understand our planet.
It also seeks to strengthen the Spanish space industry by promoting collaboration between companies, research centres and universities to create a more innovative and competitive environment. The aim is to increase the country’s technological capacity and facilitate its participation in future international missions, actively contributing to the progress of the space sector globally.
In addition, the project is committed to the exchange of knowledge and the creation of synergies between the public and private sectors, generating opportunities for growth, scientific development and the strengthening of the national space industry.
Driving the future from space
The technologies developed will have a direct impact on strategic applications such as environmental monitoring, infrastructure surveillance, security and natural resource analysis.
They will also contribute to boosting the economy, innovation and competitiveness of the Spanish space sector in the context of New Space.
Innovation with impact
Achieving these objectives will enable LIDAX to position itself as a benchmark in the development of advanced optical-mechanical solutions within the emerging space sector. The proposed standard architecture will not only facilitate integration into different platforms and missions but will also significantly reduce the costs and development times associated with image acquisition systems in the NewSpace field.
In addition, the knowledge generated in thermal, mechanical and focus control design will contribute to strengthening national technological capabilities in the field of space instrumentation, promoting the sector’s independence and competitiveness in the international market.
Applications and future prospects
The autofocus system developed by LIDAX will have direct applications in compact terrestrial observation cameras, scientific missions and small satellites used for monitoring or research tasks.
In the medium term, it is expected that the resulting technology will evolve into marketable and scalable products, adaptable to different levels of demand and types of mission, consolidating a business line oriented towards NewSpace.
NETON is made up of a consortium of four Spanish SMEs:
Satlantis, Lidax Ingeniería, Sanzar and GeoAI Tech, together with leading research centres: INTA, Tekniker, IDR-UPM and Camilo José Cela University.
This union reinforces the country’s technological leadership and promotes public-private cooperation in the aerospace field.
More information: +34 91 678 08 05
commercial@lidax.com
