Catalan government launches its first nanosatellite

Rocket carrying ‘Enxaneta’ satellite takes off from Kazakhstan after 48h delay

The Catalan government’s first nanosatellite was launched on Monday at 7:07 am (CET) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, exactly two days after the initial takeoff was postponed due to technical reasons.

‘Enxaneta’, named after the tiny children who climb to the top of Catalonia’s traditional human towers, is the first of six nanosatellites that will be put into orbit over the coming years as part of the government’s New Space strategy, which aims to boost the local economy by investing in the space industry.

At a cost of €574,750, the satellite was designed and built by the Catalan company Sateliot. Its main goal is to improve IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity and collect data from about 100 sensors spread across Catalonia, monitoring water level in rivers, pollution and wildlife.

“Today is a great day for  CataloniaSpain,” Catalonia’s digital policies minister Jordi Puigneró said shortly after the launch.

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