The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has hosted at its IACTEC facilities the kick-off meeting of the Canary Islands Constellation (CIC) project, a milestone that marks the official start of this strategic initiative for the development of the space sector in the archipelago.

During the meeting, representatives of IACTEC Espacio (the IAC’s Space Department and laboratory of the CELESTE project) met with key entities such as the Cabildo de Tenerife, Telespazio Ibérica, AVS Added Value Solutions, Isdefe and the Universidade de Vigo to align objectives and, above all, to effectively initiate the project’s joint work, activating collaboration among partners and launching the first lines of execution.

A strategic project for the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands Constellation project includes the development and deployment of a satellite constellation, with an implementation timeline extending through 2028. Its main milestones include the design of the satellites in 2026, the integration and technological validation in 2027, including the DRAGO-3 camera developed by the IAC, and the full deployment of the constellation in 2028.

This project represents a strong commitment to boosting the space industry in the Canary Islands, fostering technological innovation, collaboration between scientific institutions, companies and public administrations, as well as the creation of highly qualified employment.

Boosting the New Space ecosystem

The CIC is part of the growing global commitment to the New Space sector, promoting the development of advanced technological capabilities and knowledge transfer.

The IAC’s participation in technological initiatives of this kind, supported by its scientific infrastructures, its track record in instrumentation development, and its innovation ecosystem, reinforces the positioning of the Canary Islands as a strategic environment for the development of space projects.