Description

LusoSpace is a Portuguese engineering company that delivers advanced space solutions from concept definition to qualification, providing cutting-edge technologies and expert consultancy for the most demanding applications.

The funds raised through this campaign will be used to finance the launch of several satellites in the LUSÍADA constellation - a group of 12 satellites designed to make maritime communication safer, faster, and more reliable. These launches will be carried out aboard vehicles from SpaceX, an American aerospace company known for providing reliable and cost-effective access to orbit, and the satellites will include propulsion systems for optimized orbital positioning and extended mission lifetimes.

Using two advanced systems — AIS (Automatic Identification System), which tracks ships, and VDES (VHF Data Exchange System), which allows faster and more secure data exchange — the constellation will connect vessels and authorities around the world.

This space-based network will help monitor global ship traffic, detect unusual behaviour such as ships turning off their tracking systems, and support operations against illegal fishing. It will also enable direct communication between vessels and maritime authorities, sharing important updates like navigation warnings and safety alerts.

The first satellite (PoSat-2) has already been launched and is transmitting data. The remaining satellites are under development and will be built using platforms from AAC Clyde Space, a strategic partner supporting technology transfer and cost efficiency. The necessary antennas and VHF radios are being developed in-house at LusoSpace’s facilities, which include clean rooms (particle-controlled environments for assembling sensitive equipment) and robotics and optics laboratories.

By combining innovation and sustainability, LUSÍADA aims to address key limitations in current maritime systems — including bandwidth constraints (issues in transmissions), high communication costs on the high seas, and lack of encryption — while laying the groundwork for autonomous navigation and improved coordination across the maritime sector.

This campaign supports the deployment of a space-based infrastructure that enhances maritime safety, environmental protection, and global connectivity.

The Impact

Improving communication and logistics at sea: the loan will support the enhancement of maritime communication systems, with a next-generation technology - the VDES (VHF Data Exchange System), through the satellites launched by LusoSpace. VDES can receive real-time meteorological and oceanographic data, contributing to more accurate route optimization and fostering better logistics synchronization. This leads to improved coordination between ships and ports, including enhanced emergency response capabilities. It facilitates satellite communications between vessels and land authorities, supporting bidirectional communication even during Search and Rescue operations. 

Reducing fuel consumption in maritime transportation: by leveraging VDES for data collection and communication, maritime routes can be dynamically adjusted to avoid adverse conditions, or planned to be more efficient, reducing   fuel consumption and consequently avoiding greenhouse gases emissions. This technology also improves coordination of ship arrivals at ports, minimizing fuel waste caused by waiting times. 

Increase of data about marine pollution and fisheries management: the system VDES enables faster detection and more frequent reporting of oil spills and illegal discharges. Through data analysis, it can correlate the origin of a spill with the responsible vessel, increasing accountability and discouraging illegal activities. Furthermore, VDES supports monitoring of unregulated fishing, enforcement against violations, and communication of area closures due to toxic contamination. 

Enhancing innovation in the blue economy: VDES’s technology enables a maritime communication system that is innovative and cheaper compared to the currently used system and allows communication without any restriction, improving safety and logistics at the sea and at land with  services from E-navigation, weather information, emergency messages, seafloor charts, pollution monitoring, fisheries management, anti-piracy and smuggling prevention, cybersecure communication for defense and position information. 

Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Financial viability

Download the Financial Statements for the promoter here

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Guarantees

The loans granted to the promoter LUSOSPACE, PROJECTOS ENGENHARIA LDA by investors will be secured, as provided for in the loan agreements associated with the campaign, by the following:

• Personal guarantee ("Letra com aval"), under Portuguese law, from the quota-holder, Ivo de Matos Pereira Vieira, with the following tax identification number 208374094, for the total amount of the debt.
• Personal guarantee ("Letra com aval"), under Portuguese law, from the quota-holder, Cátia Cristina Silva Abreu Pereira Vieira, with the following tax identification number 209940859, for the total amount of the debt.

The Promoter

About LUSOSPACE, PROJECTOS ENGENHARIA LDA

LusoSpace is a Portuguese engineering company founded in 2002, recognized as the country’s first space startup. Its co-founder, Ivo Yves Vieira, had previously contributed to PoSAT-1, Portugal’s first satellite, which launched in 1993. After years of research and a period working as a missionary in Mozambique, he joined forces with two friends to found the company.

Over the past two decades, LusoSpace has built a strong track record in space engineering, developing magnetometers, optoelectronic instruments, augmented reality solutions, and other critical subsystems used in European Space Agency missions. The company also provides end-to-end engineering services, including design, prototyping, integration, testing, and qualification of space hardware.

Its quality management system is certified under ISO 9001:2015 and ECSS standards (ECSS-Q-ST-70-38C and ECSS-Q-ST-70-28C), ensuring reliability and mission readiness.

Building on this foundation, LusoSpace is expanding from component manufacturing to complete space systems.

Driven by innovation and collaboration, LusoSpace aims to position Portugal as a competitive player in the space economy, delivering cutting-edge technology with environmental and economic impact.

The team

Ivo Vieira

CEO

Ivo is the top executive responsible for defining the overall vision, mission, and strategic direction of the company. In the context of a LUSÍADA satellite constellation, the CEO approves major programs, secures funding, and builds partnerships that shape the long-term success of the organization.

Catarina Nunes

Product Manager AIS & VDES

Catarina defines the product vision and roadmap for the constellation LUSÍADA, determining what capabilities and services it should deliver. Acting as the link between market needs and technical implementation, she ensures that the system meets customer and business objectives.

João Duarte

Project Manager

João focuses on the delivery of specific projects, including the LUSÍADA satellite constellation. He manages schedules, budgets, and teams, ensuring that each satellite batch or subsystem is completed on time, within scope, and aligned with the product vision.

Tiago Sousa

Technical Manager

Tiago leads the engineering efforts that make the satellites technically feasible. He is responsible for system design, integration, and performance, ensuring that technical solutions meet requirements, maintain quality, and support the overall mission of the LUSÍADA constellation.

Matilde Simões

Physics Engineer

Matilde is part of the AIT (assembly, integration and test) team, ensuring the satellites meet physical and environmental requirements. She applies physics principles to testing and validation, working with peers to confirm performance, reliability, and mission readiness before launch.

Business Model

Updates