AEROS MH-1

The AEROS MH-1 is a Portuguese nanosatellite that is currently orbiting Earth at an altitude of around 510 km. Launched on 4 March 2024 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, it is Portugal's second ever satellite, after the PoSAT-1. Its purpose is ocean mapping and observation, with particular interest in the Portuguese exclusive economic zone in the Atlantic Ocean.

Background and function
The AEROS MH-1 was launched to map and observe the oceans of planet Earth, with particular interest in the Atlantic Ocean, since the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone is located there. It was Portugal's second ever satellite, second only to 1993's PoSAT-1, and its meant to be the first step towards making Portugal “a space nation by the end of the 2020s”.

Work on the satellite began in 2020 and it represents an investment of 2.78 million euros, co-financed by 1.88 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Its name is a homage to Manuel Heitor, former Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education.

Launch
The AEROS MH-1 was launched on 4 March 2024, 14:05 PTZ, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, aboard Space X's Falcon 9, as part of the Transporter 10 mission. It was first Portuguese satellite to be launched into space in over thirty years.

Aftermath
The satellite now orbits at an altitude of around 510 km, slightly above the International Space Station. Communications and data collection are carried out from the island of Santa Maria in the Azores.