2026
The next satellite mission of the Argentine National Space Activities Commission’s (CONAE, in Spanish) is in its final stages of integration and testing at INVAP’s facilities. SABIA-Mar implemented a technological upgrade that has expanded its capabilities to generate strategic information to support production, security, scientific research, and environmental management. The satellite is scheduled to be launched into orbit in the first half of 2027.
CONAE, under the Secretariat of Innovation, Science and Technology, is moving forward with SABIA-Mar, the satellite designed to provide information about the sea environment. This is Argentina’s new space mission focused on the study of the Argentine Sea, coastal areas, inland waters, and marine ecosystems.
Originally designed as an Earth observation satellite primarily for the study of the sea and coastal areas, SABIA-Mar has been upgraded with new payload technology, significantly expanding the mission’s capabilities.
These improvements will enable the satellite not only to generate scientific and environmental information, but also to provide strategic services aimed at strengthening security, protecting natural resources, and boosting productive development.
SABIA-Mar is currently in the final stage of integration and testing at INVAP’s facilities in Bariloche, Province of Río Negro. There, it is being prepared for the next technical and operational milestones before being transported to the launch site.
Information for production and environmental management
SABIA-Mar’s optical cameras will enable the measurement of ocean color and the estimation of variables such as chlorophyll-a concentration, which is associated with the presence of phytoplankton and primary productivity. This information will contribute to a better understanding of marine environmental conditions and provide valuable data for fisheries management, aquaculture, and navigation support.
The mission will also enable the assessment of water conditions in coastal areas, estuaries, and inland water bodies, with applications in the study of water quality and the early detection of harmful algal blooms, commonly known as red tides.
In addition, its data will support the monitoring of marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems, inland waters, flooded areas, vegetation, land use, and water resources.
Surveillance of the Argentine Sea
Once in orbit, SABIA-Mar will provide information for locating vessels, including the identification of cooperative and non-cooperative ships, such as those that operate without transmitting their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal.
This capability will provide strategic data for the surveillance of the Argentine Sea and help streamline the response times of the relevant authorities.
The mission will also feature nighttime monitoring capabilities. Equipped with a high-sensitivity camera, it will detect lights at sea under dark conditions, making it possible to identify fishing activity patterns, support enforcement against illegal fishing and strengthen surveillance across Argentine maritime spaces.
This information will complement other observation systems, contributing to the surveillance of Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the protection of the country’s strategic resources in the South Atlantic.
Innovative global positioning and operation technology
The mission also includes the AGR-T (Austral GNSS Receiver Technological), developed for CONAE by the Navigation and Telecommunications Electronic Systems Group within the Engineering School at the National University of La Plata.
The instrument will accurately determine the satellite’s position and velocity in orbit. This marks the first time a domestically developed global positioning receiver has been integrated into an Argentine earth observation satellite.
SABIA-Mar will also include encryption and authentication mechanisms in the command channel to protect the flight software and the satellite’s operations.
Data acquired by its optical sensors and complementary observation sources will be integrated on the ground using advanced processing tools. This capability will enable the generation of data products that combine environmental variables with models of fishing fleet behavior.
Contributions of the Argentine space sector
The mission is led by CONAE, with the participation of institutions and companies from Argentina’s science and technology sector.
INVAP is the main contractor responsible for building, integrating, and testing the satellite. VENG provided engineering, integration, and testing capabilities. It is responsible for integrating the ground segment and serves as the main contractor for satellite operations once in orbit.
With SABIA-Mar, Argentina strengthens its national capabilities in satellite engineering, optical systems, electronics, software, navigation and control systems, ground segment technologies, data processing, and application development. The mission will increase the availability of satellite data over the Argentine Sea while providing new technological capabilities for industry, science, and security.
Source: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/argentina-avanza-hacia-una-nueva-mision-espacial-con-sabia-mar
