News
Latest updates from SpaceLab UFSC — mission milestones, partnerships, publications and events.
CENIPA and INNOSPACE complete technical investigation report on Operation Spaceward
Last Friday, June 12, INNOSPACE announced that CENIPA, linked to the Brazilian Air Force, completed the final investigation report on Operation Spaceward, carried out in December 2025 at the Alcântara Space Center. The release of the document formally closes the investigation process and enables the continuation of subsequent launch activities. SpaceLab participated with FloripaSat-2A and FloripaSat-2B satellites.
SpaceLab/UFSC opens opportunity to fly an experiment aboard a new satellite
SpaceLab is opening an opportunity for companies, laboratories, startups, and educational institutions interested in flying an experiment aboard the FloripaSat-RO satellite. The initiative aims to broaden access to the space environment for new partners, strengthening connections among different sectors of society.
Brazil in the Moon: initiative targets new launches and mission with SpaceX
SpaceLab is preparing for new satellite launches following the loss of two payloads during a previous launch attempt. The next mission is scheduled for the end of this year and will send nanosatellites into orbit in partnership with SpaceX.
LACW 2026 — Latin American CubeSat Workshop
UFSC hosts Latin America's leading forum dedicated to research and development of small satellites.
Interview with Teacher Eduardo Bezerra
Watch the interview with our coordinator, Teacher Eduardo Bezerra, about SpaceLab and the Catarina Constellation. Published on the Brasil com Ciência YouTube channel.
Brazilian Space Agency officially adopts the Catarina Constellation in PNAE
The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) has unanimously approved the official adoption of the Catarina Constellation, a mission involving SENAI Institute of Innovation in Embedded Systems, UFSC, MCTI, Civil Defense, and technical support from INPE.
To infinity and beyond: SpaceLab takes research at UFSC to another level
SpaceLab, responsible for launching the university's first satellite into space in 2019, is part of the Catarina Constellation project, aiming to build Brazil's first fleet of nanosatellites for territorial monitoring and climate emergency response.
CDR — Catarina
Meeting to review satellite project under development at UFSC. The Critical Design Review (CDR) took place April 11–12, 2024. Examination committee included representatives from AEB and INPE.
Ian Downie Final Year Project examination
Communications strategy for configuring nano-satellites activities scheduling. Supervisor: Prof. Eduardo Augusto Bezerra.
Guilherme dos Santos MSc results published
"Static Attitude Determination Using Convolutional Neural Networks" — MDPI Sensors. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21196419
FloripaSat-2 and Aldebaran-I structures are ready
Structures were fabricated by USIPED.
Payload-XL thermal vacuum tests
The thermal vacuum chamber at ESTEC pumped down. Payload-XL exposed to temperatures between -40°C to +65°C for 7 days, emulating orbit conditions.
SpaceLab's new PIBIC scholarships
Two PIBIC scholarships in verification and validation of small satellites granted to Caique Gomes and João Claudio Barcellos.
Payload-XL vibration test
Payload-XL under vibration tests at ESA/ESTEC.
UbatubaSat and SpaceLab next satellites
UbatubaSat group will launch its first CubeSat using the FloripaSat-1 platform, consisting of core modules (EPS, OBDH and TT&C). Two more satellites planned for 2022 and 2024.