It signifies “a qualitative advancement” in resolution, precision and adaptability, as articulated by the project’s leaders.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1 May. (Press Europa) –
The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) has initiated the development of Drago-3, the third evolution of its Demonstrator for Remote Analysis of Ground Observations (Drago) device, intended for monitoring the Earth from space in the short wave infrared spectrum (Swir).
This latest instrument follows Drago-1 and Drago-2, which have shown their “utility” in areas such as volcanic eruptions, water monitoring in regions impacted by climate change, and forest fire management, as stated by the IAC in a press statement.
In this manner, the research institution indicates that both previous models have validated “the viability” of Swir observations from small satellite platforms.
They further assert that Drago-3 signifies “a qualitative advancement” in resolution, precision and adaptability, and features a modular design to ease its integration into upcoming satellite constellations.
This progression, they note, is part of the IACTEC-SPACE initiative at the IAC, in partnership with the Cabildo de Tenerife, aimed at enhancing the technological capabilities of the archipelago in the space domain.
The team
The project team primarily consists of IACTEC-SPACE personnel along with the instrumentation division of the IAC.
Over four years, the team has successfully validated various “effective” technologies in orbit, including the launch of the first Canarian satellite, Alisio-1, in December 2023.
During this process, they highlight that a patent has been secured for the calibration and characterisation of Ingaas sensors, critical for improving instrument performance in space.
This innovation has been “essential” for solidifying the IAC’s capacity in infrared observation from small satellites, paving the way for the development of cost-effective Swir constellations.
About Drago-3
“Drago-3 is the next phase in our roadmap to provide valuable tools for land management and responses to natural disasters such as volcanic fires or eruptions,” stated José Alonso Burgal, IACTEC-SPACE manager.
“Its primary advantage is that it delivers superior performance at a considerably lower cost than other technologies available in the market, positioning the Canary Islands as an emerging reference in the space sector,” he added.
According to Álex Oscoz Abad, the project’s lead researcher, the quality of the images obtained by Drago-2 via the Alisio-1 satellite exemplifies the technological capabilities within the Canary Islands.
“With Drago-3, we are progressing in a direction that offers effective and affordable solutions, beneficial both locally and in other parts of the world,” he remarked.
Drago-3 has been devised in direct response to the requests gathered by the IACTEC-space team, engaging with scientific institutions, public bodies, technology firms, and emergency services interested in Swir data for purposes like environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, water resources management, and security.
This instrument, they elaborate, not only represents “a technological breakthrough but also a strategic investment” by the IAC for a more accessible and applicable terrestrial observation “to meet the current challenges facing the planet.
The project is funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the NextGeneu Funds, as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan established by the Government of Spain.
