National Institute of Aerospace Technology

The Esteban Terradas National Institute of Aerospace Technology (better known as INTA) is an autonomous body in Spain considered a public research body, attached to the Secretary of State for Defense of the Ministry of Defence. Despite being a research organization, the publication of its research is very limited, with only 23 scientific publications in the last year according to the Nature Index, occupying position 3987 according to SCImago Institutions Rankings, below the majority of Spanish universities, which they have fewer resources.

INTA is specialized in research and technological development, of a dual nature, in the fields of aeronautics, space, hydrodynamics, security and defense. It was founded on May 7, 1942 by Esteban Terradas, a naval, industrial and aeronautical engineer. Its headquarters are located in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid. Of its budget, almost 60% goes to scientific and technological equipment.

In 1986 the government made an attempt for INTA to absorb the functions of a space agency but that attempt was reversed in 1996. Currently it does not meet any of the characteristics of a space agency: it does not set space policy, nor does it manage a significant part of the Spanish space budget, nor does it represent Spain in international forums.

Organization

INTA is responsible for carrying out scientific and technical research activities, as well as providing technological services, in the fields of aerospace, aeronautics, hydrodynamics, and defense and security technologies. For this, INTA has the following units:

• General Subcommittee on Space Systems
  • Department of Space Programmes, Scientific Satellite Programmes
  • Earth Observation and Atmosphere Department
  • Department of Useful Charges and Space Sciences
  • Department of Equipment and Systems Testing
• General Air Systems Subdirectorate
  • Aircraft Department
  • Aircraft Certification Department
  • Department of Materials and Structures
  • Aircraft Department
  • Propulsion Department
• General Earth Systems Subdirectorate (SDGSISTTER)
• General Naval Systems Subdirectorate

Programs

Nanosat Programme badge

Carries out research programs, both alone and in combination with other state agencies, both national and international (CSIC, universities, NASA) and private companies.

Satellite programs

The design and construction of satellites for scientific purposes has been one of INTA's main lines of work since 1968. In this way, various programs have been taking place over time:

• Intasat Programme (1968-1976), aimed to train companies and INTA itself in space technologies
• Small Satellites Programme (Minisat) (1990-2002)it had the objective of the Spanish aerospace sector acquiring the capacity to design, develop and manufacture artificial satellites. Initially, at least 4 missions were planned, of which only the Minisat 01 mission was completed.
• Nanosat Programme (1995-?), it was intended to have for the future micro and nanosatellites a transmitter-receptor of high performance and low cost.
• Microsat Programme This programme began in October 2005 It was intended to create a satellite of more than 100 kg of weight, which can carry a useful load of 50 kg in low orbit.

Missions:

• INTAμSat-1was scheduled to launch in mid-2011 It was directed by Manuel Angulo Jerez

• Picosatélites Program (1995-?). It aims to create picosatellites of less than 3 kg of weight to enable Spanish universities and scientific groups to fly useful charges at prices for them assuming and with continuity in time, with frequent missions (every three or four years). The OPTOS, Xatcobeo and BRITE satellites (OPTOS 2G) were planned as part of this programme.
• Small Satellite Constellation Program (2018?-Update). Satellite constellations formed by nanosatellites that use the cubesat standard of up to 3 kg mass (3U) flying in formation. It includes three different constellations: ANSER, ANSAT and ANSAR.

Space access programs

• Night lighting (1979-1982)
• Programme Study of Atmospheric Emissions and Absorptions (1982-1991)as part of this program developed the INTA-300B rocket
• Capricorn Program (1990-2000) The aim was to develop a Spanish launcher vehicle by making available to the scientific and communications community the possibility of fast launches and at a reasonable price. As part of this programme, the INTA-100, INTA-300B, Argo and Capricorn rockets were developed and the construction of the Space Launch Centre of The Iron Island was envisaged.
• PILUM Program (2018?-Update) is a project for the development of a nanosatellite micro-launcher fired from an EF-18 or Eurofighter 2000 combat plane, which must be able to accommodate nanosatellites up to 10 or 20 kg. and place them in low orbits.

Other programs and projects

• Artemisa Projectto create a system against intrusive drones, immune to electronic countermeasures, such as jamming or spoofing, through their interception and melting using a autotracking laser. Once its development has been completed, it has been transferred to Equipaer.
• César Project (1997-?), Earth observation minisatellite to be built at 50% between Spain and Argentina, with a budget of 10 billion pesetas
• Spanish Program of Unmanned Planes (1990-?)Initially included the following projects:

• SIVA: Integrated Air Monitoring System
• ALO: Lightweight observation aircraft
• ALBA: Air White Light Airplane

• INTASAR Programme (1993-)also known as the SAR program, began in 1993 to acquire the experience in all fields of SAR technology (synthetic opening), from the development of radar systems to the development of signal processing and image applications Initially it had two phases planned: first a plane SAR would develop, easier, and then one for a Minisat platform.
• PNOTS Programme (2007-Update) (National Satellite Earth Observation Programme) of which the Paz and Ingenio satellites are part

• CREPAD Programme (?-Update) (Reception Center, Process and Archive for Earth Observation Data) aims to receive and process satellite images to serve users of all types who use Earth observation data and products. Processes the information obtained by Earth observation satellites at their turn on the coverage area of the Maspalomas Space Centre: NOAA, SeaStar/OrbView-2, IRS-P3, Meris, Aqua, Terra, ERS, ALOS, SPOT, Landsat, and Paz.
• Virtual Spanish Observatory (2004-Update)managed by the Astrobiology Center

• SIRMA anti-interference antennadeveloped with EADS.

Educational Programs

• CESAR Programme (Acronym in English for Cooperation through Education in Space Science and Astronomy) allows the use of 5 telescopes by university, secondary and amateur students. CESAR has five telescopes in three observatories: a 15 m radio telescope (VIL1) and two solar telescopes at ESAC, a 30 cm optical telescope at NASA station in Robledo de Chavela (Madrid), and a 50 cm optical telescope at the ESA deep space station in Cebreros (Ávila). (Official website and official Twitter)

Programs of other agencies in which it participates

• Galileo Programme (CPA + GSMC)
• Mission Mars 2020 of NASA with Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA)
• Mission Plato (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillation of stars) within the ESA Cosmic Vision program with the instrument Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS)
• Orbiter Solar Mission the ESA with the PHI instruments (Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager) and the Metis chronograph in collaboration with other agencies
• EF2000 and EJ200 programmes
• Airbus-400M Program
• Apollo Program of NASA
• Mercury Program of NASA
• National Space Programme was in the past managed by INTA but currently managed by the CDTI. Previously he received the name of National Space Research Programme
• AIM Mission (Asteroid Impact Mission) is a candidate mission of the ESA. CUBATA (CUBeSat At Target Asteroid) proposed as one of the COPINS loads
• Helios-CTEIE Program
• RAPAZ Programme General Directorate of Arms and Materials
• Missiles IRIS-T and Meteor.

Vehicles and instruments

As part of its programs, INTA has built a multitude of vehicles and instruments. From the sounding rocket launch base, at its headquarters in El Arenosillo, he has worked with different types of suborbital rockets, such as the INTA-300 and INTA-255. Between 1991 and 1999 he worked on the development of the satellite launcher rocket Capricorn, who was ultimately abandoned.

Satellites

Reproduction of Nanosat 01.

• Intasat-1, with a view to demonstrating technology and science, launched on 15 November 1974.
• UPM/LB-Sat 1, launched on 17 July 1995. In collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
• Minisat 01, for scientific purpose, launched on April 21, 1997.
• Minisat 02, project canceled.
• Nanosat 01, communications, launched on 17 December 2004.
• Nanosat 1B, for scientific and communications purposes, launched on 29 July 2009.
• Nanosat 2, next generation of the Nanosat was a 15-40 kg satellite with an improved service module and separate charge module that was planned for launch in 2011
• Microsat-1 or INTAμSat-1, cancelled project.
• Xatcobeo, launched on 13 January 2012. In collaboration with the Strategic Aerospace Group (now Alén Space).
• OPTOS, released on 21 November 2013. It is based on a CubeSat standard.
• OPTOS 2G, project cancelled
• Paz SeoSar*, launched on February 22, 2018, developed for the Ministry of Defence.
• Ingenio SeoSat* operated jointly with Hisdesat. It was destroyed during its launch in November 2020.

These satellites are totally Spanish in manufacturing and design, and comprise a low-cost, multi-use platform, with subsystems of modular design and standard interfaces with the payload module. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are operated by INTA but were not built by it.

Rockets

Capricorn Model at the Four Winds Air Museum

• INTA-255, first Spanish probe rocket launched on 20 December 1969.

• INTA-300, launched on 18 February 1981.

• INTA-300G, rocket that reached the design phase between 1977 and 1980

• INTA-100, launched on 7 April 1992. He was part of the Capricorn program.

• INTA-300B, modified rockets based on INTA-300, took off on 21 October 1993. He was part of the Capricorn program.

• INTA-600, proposed rocket, capable of reaching 500 kilometres of altitude with payload, to test the Rigel stage of the Capricorn at scale. He was part of the Capricorn program.

• Argo, proposed rocket, Capricorn show

• Capricorn, an entirely Spanish launcher. It was canceled in 2000.

Aircraft

• SIVA, UAV in service since 2006.
• ALBA is a complete system of teleguided air targets suitable for improving the operation of anti-aircraft artillery units through its training in real fire conditions.
• Diana, high-speed aerial UAV in service.
• HADA, project suspended.
• ALO, UAV operating pending Partner Search for marketing.
• Milano, medium- and long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) weighing 900 kg and 150 kg. It is powered by an explosion engine that offers a autonomy of about 20 hours and allows you to fly above 20 000 feet. This project is in the phase of R & D.
• AVIZOR, enhanced version of SIVA E It began its development in 1998 with the name SIVA 1B. The main improvement is the replacement of the conventional propulsion system by an electric motor powered with PEM-type fuel batteries (Proton Exhange Membrane). It's INTA's first UAV with fuel cells.

Instruments

• Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) for NASA's Curiosity Mission (launched in 2011 for Mars)
• Temperature and Winds for InSight (TWINS) for NASA's InSight mission (launched in 2018 for Mars)

• MIRI-MTS Calibrator for the Mid-Infrared Instrument integrated into the James Webb space telescope
• Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) for NASA's Mars 2020 mission (launched in 2020 for Mars)
• Laser Raman (RLS) spectrometer for detecting minerals and potentially biological pigments in the second ExoMars mission of ESA (the expected launch for 2022) and the PLATO mission of ESA (the planned launch for 2026).
• Signs of LIfe Detector (SOLID) Life Sign Detector that will travel on a future mission (the current proposal is NASA's Icebreaker Life mission).

Missiles

• INTA S-9 - 37 mm cohete to equip the aircraft of Hispano Aviación
• INTA S-12 - Cohete 100mm
• INTA S-11 - 70mm Cohete
• INTA-156 Banderilla (1967 - 1970): Infrared air missile developed in collaboration with the French Matra. Background of the Matra R.550 Magic

Facilities

Angic Chamber at INTA Central Headquarters in Torrejón de Ardoz

In addition to the central headquarters in Torrejón de Ardoz, INTA has two operations centers: the Deep Space Communications Complex in Robledo de Chavela, Madrid, and the El Arenosillo Experimentation Center in the province of Huelva.

Technology campuses

• INTA Central Headquarters in Torrejón de Ardoz, where you will find the General Air and Space Systems Subdirectories. It is located annexed to the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, in the town of the same name.
  • Ariane Programme Test Centre (ECA)The tests are carried out on the part of the Ariane rocket from which Spain is responsible.
  • Space Instrumentation Laboratory (LINES), hosts clean classrooms 10 000 and 100 created in 1994 as part of the Minisat program
  • Tower of Microgravity, fall tower of 23.5 meters, shock tests, constant acceleration, etc. built in 1991
  • Optoelectronic Laboratory, with equipment to perform tests in this area
  • Mechanical Environmental Testing Laboratory, built in 1993 with vibration tables and dual electrodynamic vibration system for vibration tests. It also has equipment for shock response spectrum analysis (in English, Shock Response Spectrum Analysis, SRS)
  • SPASOLAB, since 1989 it is the official laboratory of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the testing and certification of space cells used in photovoltaic panels of satellites built in Europe
  • Mass and Pressure Laboratorybuilt in 1990
  • Metrology and calibrationbuilt in 1995
  • Anecoic Chamber
  • Astrobiology Centre, shared with the CSIC

• Campus La Marañosa, headquarters of the General Subdirectorate of Terrestrial Systems
• Campus El Pardo in El Pardo, headquarters of the General Naval Systems Subdirectorate. It is located in the vicinity of the El Pardo reservoir, which can also be used for your tests
  • Water Channel Calm, with a length of 320 m, a width of 12.5 m and a depth of 6.5 m has a tug cart capable of reaching up to a speed of 10 m/s with a speed of 1 m/s2.
  • Cavitation tunnel, circulating water tunnel with capacity to make the vacuum inside the same
  • Buque Dynamics Laboratoryinaugurated in 1992

Test Centers

• Atlas Experimental Flights Centre in Villacarrillo, Jaén
• Centre for Testing, Training and Mounting of Unmanned Aircraft (CEUS) in Moguer (Huelva)
• Chauchina Aircraft Testing Centre in Granada
• Centro de Essayos Torregorda (CET) in Cádiz
• Centro de Evaluación y análisis Radioeléctrico (CEAR) de Guadalajara
• Centro Labores de desarrollo del A400M en Sevilla
• Centro de Investigación Aeroportada de Rozas (CIAR) in Castro de Rey, Lugo
• INTA turboreactor test bench in Torrejón de Ardoz
• El Pardo Hydrodynamic Experience Channel in El Pardo
• Laboratorio de Essayos en Tablas, León
• Army Engineers Laboratory "General Marvá" (LABINGE) in Madrid

Track and launch stations

• Centro de Experimentación de "El Arenosillo" (CEDEA) in Moguer (Huelva)
• Iron Island Space Launch Centre (proposed project) in El Hierro
• Deep Space Satellite Monitoring Station of Cebreros in conjunction with ESA in Cebreros, Ávila
• Communications Complex with the Deep Space of Madrid in conjunction with NASA in Robledo de Chavela, Madrid
• Canary Islands Space Centre in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
• Villafranca del Castillo Satellite Monitoring Station in conjunction with ESA in Villafranca del Castillo, Madrid
• Galileo Security Monitoring Center at the La Marañosa Campus

Other centers

• Canary Islands Space Centre

Old centers

• Fresnedillas Station
• Laboratory of Space Astrophysics and Fundamental Physics (LAEFF), was born in 1991 as a collaboration between INTA, CSIC and ESA. It is currently integrated into the Astrophysics Department of the Astrobiology Centre.

Budget

INTA had an item of 190 million euros for the 2019 financial year. After an increase of 36% (50 million) in 2018, the item for the year 2019 experienced an increase of one million euros.

• In 2015 INTA saw its budget increased by the absorption of three research agencies that so far operated autonomously: the El Pardo Hydrodynamic Experience Channel (CEHIPAR), the La Marañosa Technological Institute (ITM) and the Army Engineers Laboratory.

Directors of INTA

History

INTA was born in 1942 as the National Institute of Aeronautical Technology and later changed its name to National Institute of Aerospace Technology "Esteban Terradas"

In 1960 the first cooperation agreement was signed with NASA for the Mercury Program.

In 1986, with the first Science Law, INTA became a Public Research Organization (OPI).

Data

• First launch or satellite date: 1966 suborbital and 1974 orbital (Intasat)

Space technological capacity of the agency:

• Follow-up stations: Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, in Robledo de Chavela.
• Launch centers: El Arenosillo, in the province of Huelva.
• Satellite manufacturing.