GuaraníSat-2, Paraguay’s second satellite, is set to launch in October 2026. The spacecraft has been fully designed and assembled in the country, according to Esteban Fretes. He is the Director of Research Projects at the Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP).
The first Paraguayan nanosatellite that was designed and placed into orbit in 2021 was the GuaraníSat-1. This breakthrough was realised with the aid of Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology. The launch of the second nanosatellite represents a milestone in Paraguay’s progress in the space sector. The project is being carried out entirely by Paraguayan professionals trained during the first project. The GuaraníSat-2 satellite successfully passed critical tests in Japan earlier this year.
Autonomy in space science
Fretes expressed that the decision to carry on with this project exclusively with Paraguayan engineers is based on the need for autonomy in relation to space science. GuaraníSat-2 is a nanosatellite whose design, assembly, integration, launch, and operation will all be handled by Paraguayan experts trained in Japan. Its main purpose is to monitor crop conditions and predict agricultural yields.
“We are talking about satellites weighing only three to four kilogrammes, so these are small steps, but we want to keep moving forward,” Fretes added.
He highlighted that Japan also collaborated with the launch process of this nanosatellite by carrying out the environmental testing and validation. “All the tests were successful, and now it moves on to the next stage: the flight model, which will then be tested and sent into space,” Fretes explained.
Weather balloon launched in San Bernardino
The AEP invited the public to attend the launch of a weather balloon as part of its outreach activities in the space sector. The event was held this Thursday September 18th in San Bernardino. The launch was part of the second run of the annual event “Young Space” (Espacio Joven).
The event had different stands, exhibitions on space technology, robotics displays, and rocket clubs from faculties of the National University of Asunción (UNA) as well as the launch of a weather balloon.
