Catalan 'NewSpace ecosystem'

[Grey Havoc]

Catalan separatists spend £15.4 million on independent space programme

Critics accuse Catalan regional government of wasting money on a vanity project.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Separatist leaders in Spain's Catalonia region have been accused of squandering taxpayers money after embarking on their own independent space programme.

The programme, which is costing €18m (£15.4m), launched the first of a planned constellation of satellites last week, with the stated aim of developing a space tech industry in Catalonia.

The satellites will use 5G technology to deploy Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity for the Catalan regional government, which has made numerous complaints of spying by Spain’s government before and after the region’s attempt to declare independence in 2017.

The first satellite, a shoebox-sized device called Enxaneta, was sent into orbit last week after being launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and is to be followed by at least five more over the next two years.

The name Enxaneta refers to the child who tops the famous "human towers" made by Catalan performers during regional festivals, where festivalgoers stand on each others' shoulders.

Mr Puigneró insisted that the programme was to foster a “NewSpace ecosystem” in the region, comprising more than 30 emerging companies and 13 research centres and with a projected turnover of €280 million.

 

[Archibald]

Catalunya to the stars ! unbelievable...
If they can harness Pr. Arias revolutionary pulsed NTR propulsion system...