What is the Canary Islands Constellation?
Space News Europe - In February 2026, Telespazio Ibérica, a Leonardo Group company, was awarded the €20 million contract to develop the Canary Islands Satellite Constellation, the first Earth observation system created by a Spanish autonomous community. The Canary Islands Constellation is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the archipelago's Earth observation capabilities through its own infrastructure, designed to offer advanced tools for territorial monitoring, environmental tracking, emergency management, and decision support. Here is what is the Canary Islands Satellite Constellation and how it is linked to the European Federation of Satellite Constellations:
What is the Canary Islands Satellite Constellation?
The Canary Islands Satellite Constellation is a project led by Telespazio Ibérica that was awarded the €20 million contract in February 2026. The Canary Islands Constellation (CIC), that consists of four satellites, is a project involving the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC), the Tenerife Island Council and Telespazio Ibérica. The Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) specializes in the development of advanced instrumentation for small satellites, Earth observation, image processing, and technology transfer through its IACTEC Espacio department. The Canary Islands Satellite Constellation initiative is part of the Tenerife Space Horizon programme, supported by a €78 million investment over five years and aimed at strengthening the region’s technological positioning.
Telespazio Ibérica will develop a constellation consisting of three operational satellites and one technological demonstrator in low Earth orbit (450–700 km), each with a mass between 20 and 30 kilograms, capable of ensuring daily coverage of the Canary Islands archipelago and surrounding waters. Telespazio Ibérica will ensure the entire mission lifecycle: from the flight and ground segments to data processing and distribution, including integration, launch, operations, and deorbiting. For the development of the satellite platform, AVS Added Value Solutions has been selected as the industrial partner.
Portuguese Space Research company N3O will contribute to the land-based segment of the future Canary Islands Constellation, with a launch planned for 2028. N3O will be responsible for supplying fundamental components of the Canary Islands Constellation's ground segment, namely flight dynamics modules, which ensure the management of the constellation's orbital mechanics, and customer management modules, which allow for the management of user interactions with the infrastructure.
What is the European Federation of Satellite Constellations?
The Canary Islands Satellite Constellation will be part of the European Federation of Satellite Constellations from various countries through an agreement with the CEiiA, giving Europe space sovereignty capabilities. The Canary Islands Satellite Constellation will connect Portugal through the Atlantic Constellation with Spain and Italy through the Leonardo Constellation. In Italy, the Leonardo group, that is a 67% shareholder in Telespazio, with the remainder of shares held by the French company Thales, has planned the launch of the Leonardo Constellation in 2028/2029, that is comprised of a total of approximately 20 satellites representing a total investment of 500 million euros.
“Europe’s vision is to have a European Space Shield, and the space component is absolutely fundamental¨ - Emir Sirage, director in the Space area of the CEiiA.
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