The Finnish company Iceye, which specialises in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth observation, has set up a new research, development and manufacturing centre in Paterna (Valencia). It is the company’s second major R&D centre, which was created to drive innovation in SAR-based technologies and solutions and future multi-sensor technologies for persistent Earth observation.

The company particularly values the qualifications of the professionals it has found in Valencia and their potential to contribute to innovation in defence and SRI technologies, as well as its global growth. The centre, which will produce and assemble microsatellite components, has involved a “significant” investment and  will at the same time contribute to boosting innovation in the Spanish space industry.

Highly qualified talent
Iceye Spain’s CEO and Senior Vice President of Global Operations, Gonzalo García-Muñoz, explained that Valencia was selected “because of its highly skilled talent, the emerging and very promising NewSpace ecosystem and infrastructure for innovation and technology, and the area’s operational efficiency”.

The company plans to expand its team in Valencia to over 100 employees in the next three years. As García-Muñoz pointed out, “We are actively seeking to expand our global team of engineers, scientists and innovators with skilled professionals in Valencia, in order to contribute to cutting-edge space technology and have a tangible impact on global security and resilience”.

Innovation and excellence
Iceye’s SAR technology has already been used in industries like defence and intelligence, security, maritime surveillance, insurance and natural disaster response. The Spanish Secretary General for Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Teresa Riesgo, explained that Iceye is a company “that has made innovation and excellence its raison d’être in an industry that is strategic for everyone, the space industry”, and asserted “The Spanish Government’s  commitment to this industry makes Spain an attractive country for developing and growing companies in the NewSpace industry, in a town like Paterna where talent and business activity thrive”.

The Finnish Ambassador to Spain, Sari Rautio, said that both countries “are committed to developing space technologies and dual-use solutions to promote our security and competitiveness. This new Iceye plant in Paterna, Valencia, emphasises the importance we attach to innovation and investment aimed at achieving strategic European autonomy in key technologies.”

Iceye plans to collaborate with local academic institutions, such as the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV). By developing and constructing sovereign, tried-and-tested technological solutions in Spain, and thanks to its flexible and rapid access to space, it will in addition work with the Spanish Government  to strengthen its national security and defence intelligence interests.

^{Photo: Iceye}