Montsec Observatory hosts new Dutch instrumentation under the ESA Phi-LabNET framework

The Montsec Observatory (OdM), a scientific and technological infrastructure managed by the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), has successfully installed and integrated new instrumentation dedicated to advanced satellite tracking and space debris monitoring. A cross-border collaboration between ESA Phi-Lab Spain (led by the IEEC) and ESA Phi-Lab Netherlands has enabled this joint initiative, which demonstrates how the Phi-LabNET framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) facilitates synergies and infrastructure sharing.

The ESA Phi-LabNET is a Europe-wide initiative under ESA’s ScaleUp Programme that connects specialised innovation centres in space technology to boost commercial activity. Within this network, ESA Phi-Lab Netherlands (based at NL Space Campus) focuses on Earth Observation (EO), critical Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) infrastructure, and secure satellite communications. Meanwhile, ESA Phi-Lab Spain, coordinated by the IEEC, drives space innovation and technology transfer to strengthen climate resilience and market entry.

This initiative stems from a technical discussion at the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2025 in Helsinki. The team from ESA Phi-Lab Netherlands identified a strong synergy between their Dunedain Transients project—which explores novel optical methods to detect and track artificial satellites and orbital debris—and the satellite monitoring expertise of IEEC researchers at the OdM.

Following a visit to the IEEC headquarters in Castelldefels (Barcelona), the joint team travelled to the OdM, located in Sant Esteve de la Sarga (Lleida). At an altitude of 1,570 metres, with dark skies and stable atmospheric conditions, this site provides an ideal operational environment. Over a day and a half of intensive teamwork, the new Dutch equipment was successfully integrated and is now fully operational and collecting data from the Montsec mountains.