The National University of La Plata (UNLP) achieved an unprecedented milestone for Argentine science: its Atenea microsatellite will be part of the NASA’s Artemis II mission.
This will mark the return of astronauts to lunar orbit after more than 50 years, a key project in the history of space exploration.
The device developed in Argentina by professionals and students is already in the United States for its final integration.
In this way, Argentina is the only Spanish-speaking country participating in this mission with its own satellite.
What the microsatellite developed by UNLP for NASA is like
The Atenea microsatellite developed by UNLP is a 12U class CubeSat measuring just 30 by 20 centimeters.
It was entirely manufactured at the Aerospace Technology Center (CTA) of the Faculty of Engineering at UNLP over a little more than a year.
Its mission will be to validate technologies for future space explorations and collect data on radiation in high orbits, GNSS, and long-range communications.
The satellite will travel aboard the SLS rocket that will carry four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon.
Thus, Argentina will participate in a key milestone: this will be the first manned mission to orbit the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
How the NASA proposal reached UNLP
The project was realized after a NASA call to CONAE within the framework of Artemis II.
Thus, Atenea is part of the High Revisit System (SARE) program of CONAE, designed to produce small satellites at low cost.
“CONAE asked us to scale the satellite that was already built here, the USAT-1, and thus make Atenea,” explained Marcos Actis, dean of the faculty.
And he added: “This was a year ago. It was developed entirely in this place,”
In addition to the Argentine project, NASA selected university developments from South Korea, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
The launch is scheduled between February and April 2026 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States.
“When we started the career, working with NASA was unthinkable,” said Joaquín Brohme, an aerospace engineer who participated in the development.
And he highlighted: “But, with two years of intense work, we managed to have an integrated satellite and to set foot in Cape Canaveral.”
The investment and financing of UNLP for the development
The construction of Atenea required an investment of about 200 thousand dollars in key components.
All the equipment at the CTA was acquired with the Faculty’s own funds, generated through technological services for private companies.
“Everything at the CTA was acquired with the Faculty’s resources. We are waiting for the reimbursement from CONAE,” noted Actis.
The center has offices, precision workshops, a clean room, and specialized industrial machinery.
“Many companies hire us to validate parts. For example, a major automotive company tests auto parts here,” highlighted mechanical engineer Facundo Pasquevich.
The team that traveled to the United States for the final integration of the satellite included students still pursuing their degrees.
“In September, we traveled to Córdoba to conduct environmental tests and in early October we went to the United States for the final integration,” recounted Aldana Guilera, a student who worked on the project.
“It is important for students to know that they can participate in these developments. They have access to machinery and projects that compete with any company abroad,” highlighted Pasquevich.
