First Argentine pico-satellite launched for internet services in agriculture

[peppertree]

Argentina's first pico-satellite, created by the firm Innova Space, has been launched from the SpaceX platform at Cape Canaveral in the US.

The launch is expected to be the starting point for a constellation of 100 pico-satellites to be sent into space over the next three years.

The General San Martín pico-satellite will enable agricultural companies in provinces or areas without internet access to apply Internet of Things (IoT) technology to optimize production.

The PocketQube satellites weigh around 1kg and measure approximately 50cm x 50cm x 150cm, roughly the size of a large soda can.

At: https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/first-argentine-pico-satellite-launched-for-iot-services-in-agriculture

Students of the Technical School N° 5 in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and their professor, Alejandro Cordero, pose with their General San Martín pico-satellite - the first of its type in Latin America.

Developed with just $75,000, the small satellite will facilitate internet access to farmers in remote areas of the far-flung country.

With a Ministry of Techonology grant of some 50 million pesos ($450,000), the team plans to create 100 such pico-satellites to be sent into space over the next three years.

[Judi Lynn]

1. These little satellites will transform the way Argentine farmers have been doing business

Pretty cool, for sure, moving them out of the 20th century.

[peppertree]

2. I hope so, Judi.

Especially in the Gran Chaco area - Argentina's poorest.

As you can imagine, many of the small farmers in that region still don't have internet access. Or, in some areas, nearby paved roads - making access to even snail-mail postal services time-consuming.

Thanks again.