RIDE! and Universitat Politècnica de València sign launch agreement for PoliTech-1, the First 100% Valencian Satellite

Paris, France – April 28th, 2026 —In the framework of the New Space & Solutions event held in Seville this month, RIDE! has officially signed a partnership agreement with Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) to support the launch of PoliTech-1, the first nanosatellite fully designed and manufactured in the Valencian Community of Spain. The agreement was formalized during the week of the event at the headquarters of the Spanish Space Agency.

PoliTech-1 is a 3U CubeSat developed at UPV as part of a comprehensive educational and research initiative dedicated to astrophysics and Earth observation applications. The satellite represents a major milestone in regional innovation and strengthens Valencia’s position within Spain’s growing space ecosystem.

The mission payload includes a compact Earth observation camera capable of capturing high-quality imagery, supported by a directive C-band communications antenna to enable high-data-rate image downlink. The satellite is also equipped with advanced attitude and orbit control systems to ensure operational precision. Additional onboard technology includes a gamma and neutron detector to measure cosmic radiation and assess space weather conditions.

PoliTech-1 is designed for an expected operational lifetime of two years, powered by body-mounted solar cells. The platform features multiple communication systems, including deployable crossed-dipole telecommand antenna with circular polarization in the UHF band, and the aforementioned C-band patch antenna for high-speed science data transmission. The satellite platform is manufactured by the Spanish company EMXYS located in Elche (Alicante, Spain).

Beyond launch coordination, RIDE! plays a central role throughout the full mission lifecycle. The company is responsible for commercial and contractual negotiations with the launch provider, launch campaign management, and regulatory and licensing compliance required for mission authorization ahead of its planned end 2027 launch.

RIDE! will also provide the separation system and its integration, oversee launch vehicle interface activities, and coordinate launch pad operations and logistics. In addition, the company will manage transportation of the satellite from Spain to the launch site and will provide technical support for testing campaigns and qualification parameters, ensuring mission readiness from development to integration, and beyond.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting innovative and educational space missions across Europe,” said Valentin Benoit, CEO of RIDE! “PoliTech-1 is a strong example of how universities can lead advanced developments in the space sector, and we are proud to support the mission from early design phases all the way to orbit.”

From Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) its Rector, Prof. José E. Capilla, has remarked his full satisfaction with this agreement, which is expected to put the Politech-1 nanosatellite—developed by researchers from the UPV Institute of Telecommunication and Multimedia Applications (iTEAM) at the University—into orbit.

“This agreement with RIDE! has marked a milestone for the Universitat Politècnica de València and for the entire Valencian Community,” highlighted the Rector, José Capilla, who stressed that PoliTech-1 “has been the first satellite designed entirely in our region, the result of the talent, technological capability, and forward-looking vision of our university community.” In this regard, he stated that “this project has strengthened Valencia’s position within the Spanish space ecosystem and has demonstrated the key role of the university as a driving force for innovation, knowledge, and economic development.”

“At EMXYS, we are proud to contribute to PoliTech-1 by providing the satellite platform for this important mission. This project reflects the strength of our commitment to collaboration with academia and highlights the technological capabilities being developed within the Valencian Community for the space sector,” stated Francisco García de Quirós, CTO of EMXYS.

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About Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
The Universitat Politècnica de València is the top technological university in Spain according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). With over 30,000 students, 3,700 faculty and researchers, and 1,400 administrative staff, UPV operates across several campuses located in Valencia, Alcoy, Gandia, and the last one in Hangzhou (China). The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including 56 undergraduate degrees, 122 master’s programs, and 32 doctoral programs. UPV maintains more than 1,000 international partnerships and is one of Europe’s leading institutions in student mobility and research output, with over 145,000 scientific publications and a strong record in patent generation.

About EMXYS
EMXYS is an innovative company that designs, develops and produces embedded instruments, data acquisition and control systems for Space industrial and scientific applications.

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About RIDE!
RIDE! is a Paris-based launch services company providing end-to-end mission management for satellite operators and manufacturers. Through its network of more than 35 launch providers across the United States, Europe, India, and China, RIDE! coordinates every step of the launch process for clients in over 50 countries. Founded in 2020, the company holds framework agreements with Arianespace and the European Space Agency, and is supported by CNES.

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Press contact – RIDE!

Miriam Garcia Abad - Marketing and Communication Manager
miriam.garcia@ridespace.io
+33 (0)7 45 88 09 97