The Perceive mission boosts environmental protection in Brazil with Alén Space technology
April 10, 2025
Alén Space is taking part in the development of the Perceive mission, which will have a direct impact on the environmental conservation of two of the planet’s most important ecosystems: the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado savanna in Brazil.
The project, led by the University of Brasilia (UnB) with the participation of Alén Space and the Aerospace Technology Research Group from the University of Vigo, is focused on developing an environmental monitoring IoT system and a FlatSat-type satellite platform. The development of the FlatSat, along with the concept of operations and technological demonstration of the Perceive mission, is funded by the Federal District Research Support Foundation (FAPDF).
Alén Space is contributing to this initiative with several of its technological solutions. As part of the FlatSat, which serves as a testing platform, the project integrates a TRISKEL subsystem, functioning as both an On-board Computer (OBC) and telemetry control system, and two TOTEM software-defined radios (SDRs), which form the basis of the payload used to collect environmental data.
The main goal of Perceive is to gather key data on temperature, humidity, weather, and biodiversity in the Amazon and the Brazilian Cerrado. This information aims to enable more efficient and autonomous management of these natural environments while reducing Brazil’s technological dependence on third parties for access to critical data. The project is in the Preliminary Design Review phase, with the team currently focused on mission analysis, requirements definition, and the concept of operations.
Under the direction of professor and researcher Renato Borges from the University of Brasilia, the Perceive mission seeks to support not only biodiversity conservation, but also to improve responsiveness to natural disasters and build a structured database for scientific research and public decision-making.
The Alfa Crux background
This new step in the collaboration between Alén Space and the University of Brasilia builds on a well-established relationship over time.
In 2022, both institutions worked together on the Alfa Crux mission, a 1U CubeSat successfully launched from Cape Canaveral. Alén Space provided the technology, payload, and technical training to the Brazilian team responsible for developing the nanosatellite.
Through projects like this, Alén Space’s technology continues to strengthen its international presence in the New Space sector, actively contributing to global challenges such as environmental sustainability and improved satellite communications.
Image credits: DUVI