Portugal to build a satellite launch pad, lab with China

LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal plans to build an international launch for small satellites in the Azores and has agreed with China to set up a joint research center to make satellites on the mainland, its science and technology minister said on Tuesday.

The government has received proposals from 14 consortia from Europe, the United States and Russia to design the launch of joint ventures, and to use the site in the future, Manuel Heitor said.

During the Web Summit – Europe's largest technology conference taking place in Lisbon this week – He told reporters the "space port" on the mid-Atlantic island of Santa Maria should be ready for commercial launches by mid-2021.

Portugal aims to pick the winning offer by mid-2019.

Heitor also announced the 50 million euro ($ 57 million) joint project with China, to be funded by the next two countries and a laboratory in Portugal next year.

The micro-satellites to be developed in the United States and the United States.

Tekever, which makes surveillance for military and civilian applications, including research for migrants from Africa.