Satellite project Quetzal UNAM-MIT

The proposed project is related to the development of a microsatellite platform (50-70 kg) for research purposes. The first stage in the collaboration between the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) included the technical specification and conceptual design through the definition of mission requirements and early-stage development of spacecraft subsystems. The mission is to monitor air pollutant concentrations in urban areas from LEO orbit. Air pollution is one of the main problems urban environments face today. A key aspect in mitigating negative effects of pollution on society, in particular in highly populated areas such as Mexico City, resides in understanding how contaminants accumulate and disperse under diverse conditions, through modeling and tracking of different pollutants in the air. Currently, this task is performed by ground systems, and missions from NASA and ESA, which does not provide coverage on frequency and timing needed for Mexico City and other urban concentrations in Latin-America. Furthermore, the information processing is sometimes cumbersome and the development cost is prohibitive for non-space fairing nations in a mission like ENVISAT. Project proposal contributes methodological and systems approach for a microsatellite platform of Mexican design for scientific research. Project is joint collaboration with MIT and funding will be obtained from Mexican sources. Further institutions from Mexico will be involved. The goal is to speed up collaboration by student exchange, mirroring groups in a dedicated task force. The timing of this collaboration is ideal, since Mexico will organize and start to operate its recently created space agency.