Posidònia (Sea Grass) will officially be the name of the first satellite of the Balearic Islands, chosen through a public vote in which children from the archipelago participated. The name honours the Mediterranean marine plant, a symbol of the conservation of the Balearic ecosystem and the fight for sustainability. The satellite will weigh approximately 80 kilograms, reach an orbit between 500 and 600 kilometres in altitude, and have an operational lifespan of more than three years.

Rafel Jordà, CEO and founder of Open Cosmos, and Marga Prohens, President of the Government, in front of a replica of the Posidònia satellite. Photo: CAIB.

The CEO and founder of Open Cosmos, Rafel Jordà, highlighted the importance of public participation in the process: “The fact that the satellite’s name was chosen by schools and citizens of the Balearic Islands clearly demonstrates how society can engage in high-impact scientific and technological projects. For me, as a Mallorcan, it is an honour to be part of this innovative project, which will open new opportunities in the space sector.”

Delay in the launch of Posidònia

ParcBit was the venue for an institutional event that marked the symbolic countdown to the satellite’s launch, which was initially scheduled for the last quarter of 2025 but has now been delayed to February 2026. During the event, where the project’s objectives and technical characteristics were outlined, the President of the Government, Margalida Prohens, emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative: “Today, we are making history with a pioneering project that marks a turning point in research. The Balearic Islands must be an innovation leader in Spain and Europe, and the development of our own satellite places us at the forefront of this future.”

Manufactured by the space company Open Cosmos, in collaboration with the Government of the Balearic Islands, Wireless DNA S.L., the University of the Balearic Islands, and Garden Hotels, with the support of the Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca (FEHM), Posidònia will be used to collect key data for climate change management, sustainability, and strategic infrastructure planning. Its main mission will be to gather information for strategic sectors such as tourism, enabling better urban and environmental planning.