On April 8, researchers and students from the Faculty of Engineering at the National University of La Plata (UNLP) received a special distinction for their central contribution to the design and development of the Argentine satellite Atenea, a project that marked a milestone in the history of national aerospace engineering.
Each team member received a diploma in recognition of their work within the framework of the NASA’s Artemis II mission, which took astronauts to lunar orbit for the first time in over half a century.
The Atenea satellite in action
Launched on April 1 from the Kennedy Space Center, the Argentine microsatellite successfully operated in deep space, transmitting key scientific and technological data back to Earth.
During its operation, it reached a distance of over 70,000 kilometers, sending information to ground stations of the CONAE.
Participation of the UNLP
The project involved engineers and students from the Aerospace Technology Center (CTA), the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and the group Electronic Navigation and Telecommunications Systems (SENyT).
- The CTA was responsible for systems engineering, part of the structure, thermal control, and the manufacturing of metal parts.
- The SENyT developed three key electronic subsystems: the communications subsystem, the on-board computer (OBC), and a GNSS receiver, in addition to cables and accessory subsystems.
Institutional recognition
During the meeting at the Rectorate, the vice president of the UNLP, Fernando Tauber, highlighted that the project expresses “the versatility of public knowledge and the true sense of the Argentine university: adding value to our resources through the talent of young people trained in our classrooms.” He emphasized that NASA’s choice of Atenea confirms the capacity of the Argentine scientific system to participate in global technological challenges.
The dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Marcos Actis, highlighted the relevance of the project and the collaboration of institutions such as the UBA, the Argentine Institute of Radio Astronomy (IAR), the CNEA, and the company VENG S.A., which participated in the final tests and integration in Falda del Carmen.
A history of commitment
Actis especially thanked Tauber’s support from the beginning: “For any other official, it would have been easier to say no and avoid the commitment. However, we received a resounding ‘yes’ and enormous support to move forward. Without that trust, today Atenea would be just a dream.”
The recognition of the UNLP team for the development of the Atenea satellite symbolizes the potential of the Argentine public university to generate high-level technology and participate in complex international missions. This achievement reaffirms that scientific knowledge, when conceived as a public and social investment, can become a driver of the future and national pride.
