Uruguay establishes Space Technology Pole with Antel and universities

Uruguay is establishing a Space Technology Pole (Polo de Tecnologías Espaciales) through a strategic alliance between the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), the state telecommunications company Antel, and several public higher education institutions, including the University of the Republic (Udelar), the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC), and the General Directorate of Technical Professional Education (UTU).

The project will utilize Antel’s Manga Ground Station infrastructure, which includes a 32-meter diameter satellite antenna that has been refurbished for technology, data, and satellite imagery purposes. Additionally, the Alberto Candeau laboratory, dedicated to the electronics industry, will be integrated into the initiative.

The pole aims to enhance local research, specialized training, and university extension within the space sector. Key applications for the high-precision territorial imagery captured at the site include monitoring climate phenomena such as droughts and storms, providing strategic information to the Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (Inumet), and conducting detailed agricultural tracking.