School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering

What School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering does

The Escola de Enxeñaría Aeronáutica e do Espazo is a recently created constituent school of the public University of Vigo (Universidade de Vigo), located on the Campus Auga in Ourense, Galicia, Spain. Its mission is to train engineers and researchers for the design, construction, maintenance, and improvement of aircraft, spacecraft, drones, propulsion systems, airport infrastructure, and air traffic management systems. The school delivers a 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, a Master's in Aeronautical Engineering (the only such offering in the Galician University System, qualifying graduates under Orden CIN/312/2009), a joint Master's in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Engineering with the University of Santiago de Compostela, and a PARS sequential academic pathway program.

The school's research arm is the Aerospace Technology Research Group (ATRG/atlanTTic), which has designed five satellites (Xatcobeo, Serpens, Humsat-D, Lume-1, plus a demonstrator planned for 2027) and developed the TOTEM Software Defined Radio-based satellite communication system, which has been transferred to the UVigo spin-off Alén Space. Active research areas include satellite communications, laser communications with potential quantum cryptography, solar electric propulsion for Mars missions, and drone applications for firefighting and offshore wind maintenance, funded through POCTEP (Interreg España-Portugal), Horizon Europe, and ESA mechanisms. As a public university department, the school is funded by government allocations from the University of Vigo and Xunta de Galicia, regulated tuition fees, and competitive research grants; it does not operate as an independent commercial entity and has no external investors.

Name

School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering

Legal name

Escola de Enxeñaría Aeronáutica e do Espazo (Universidade de Vigo)

Website

https://aero.uvigo.es

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering is a public university school within the University of Vigo in Ourense, Spain, offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees in aerospace engineering and unmanned aircraft systems, with research in satellite technology, propulsion, and drone applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ)

Keywords

• Aerospace engineering education
• Higher education programs
• Satellite technology research
• Unmanned aircraft systems
• Aeronautical engineering degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Ourense

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public University Funding: As a public university department, the school receives government funding from the University of Vigo and regional government (Xunta de Galicia)
2. Tuition Fees: Student tuition fees for degree programs (undergraduate and master's level)
3. Research Project Funding: European, national, and regional research grants including POCTEP (Interreg España-Portugal), Horizon Europe, and ESA projects

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The school is a public university department that delivers regulated Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in aerospace and aeronautical engineering and unmanned aircraft systems. It also conducts applied research through the Aerospace Technologies Research Group (ATRG/atlanTTic), developing satellite platforms, SDR-based communication systems (TOTEM), and mission design studies that it transfers to industry partners.

Product overview

The School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering offers a portfolio of four academic programs: the Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering (Grao en Enxeñaría Aeroespacial), which is a 4-year undergraduate degree qualifying graduates as Aeronautical Technical Engineers; the Master's in Aeronautical Engineering (enabled by Order CIN/312/2009), a unique offering in the Galician University System; the Master's in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Engineering (offered jointly with Universidade de Santiago de Compostela), with two specialized tracks; and the PARS (Academic Programme with Successive Pathway) enabling sequential academic progression.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering (Grao en Enxeñaría Aeroespacial) Four-year undergraduate degree that qualifies graduates as Aeronautical Technical Engineers (regulated profession), training them in the design, construction, maintenance, and improvement of aircraft, spacecraft, propulsion systems, airport infrastructure, and air navigation and air traffic management systems.
• Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering (Máster en Enxeñaría Aeronáutica) Official Master's degree that qualifies holders to practice as Aeronautical Engineers under Order CIN/312/2009. A unique offering in the Galician University System, providing advanced professional qualification for the aerospace sector.
• Master's in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Engineering (Máster OESANT) Highly specialised master's programme with two tracks addressing the drone sector: Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering and Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations, addressing the growing demand for drone/UAS-qualified professionals globally.
• Programa Académico con Percorrido Sucesivo (PARS) Academic pathway program that enables sequential progression from undergraduate to graduate studies within the Galician university system, integrating the Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering with the Master's in Aeronautical Engineering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lume-1 completed over 28,700 orbits and traveled approximately 1,300 million km over 5 years (vs expected 6 months to 1 year operational life)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core, regional and minor.

• NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)notableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cooperation initiated in 2020 between UVigo and NTNU resulting in joint doctoral thesis and research publications based on Lume-1 satellite measurements.
• Alén SpacecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology transfer partnership with UVigo spin-off Alén Space, which commercializes the TOTEM satellite communication system developed by the Aerospace Technology Research Group. Alén Space deploys the SDR-based technology in missions worldwide.
• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Aerospace Technology Research Group works with ESA on various aerospace technology projects including systems engineering, thermal-mechanical engineering, satellite communications, UAV solutions, and AI applications.
• European Universities (Oviedo, Leicester)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on lunar vehicle power systems project for development of hybrid power systems for lunar rovers.
• CIAR (Centro de Investigación Aeroportada de Rozas)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLugo-based airport research center collaborating on drone pilot demonstrations as part of the Aeroganp project.
• Aimen Technology CenterregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalician technology center (approximately 300 professionals) providing advanced manufacturing technology including additive manufacturing and composite materials research, with 50+ active R&D projects annually.
• AEAE (Asociación de Estudiantes de Aeronáutica y el Espacio)notableOthersNon-profit student association spanning 13 Spanish universities with aerospace programs. Hosts annual congress with participation from multiple academic institutions.
• European Fire Research Projects (FIRE-RS, FIRE-Poctep)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with 12 Spanish and Portuguese partners on wildfire detection using satellite technology and drone-based nighttime firefighting support.
• Centum Research & TechnologynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace systems company founded in 2010, specializing in mission-critical aerial systems for emergency, security, defense and aerospace applications.
• Babcock EspañaregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace company (formerly Inaer) specializing in aerial emergency services including firefighting, sea rescue, and oil spill control. Operations based at Aeródromo de Rozas in Lugo.
• Coasa (Compoñentes Aeronáuticos)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalician aeronautical components company participating in industry lectures and Forum Aero events to engage with students.
• AernnovaregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace structural components company co-presenting with Coasa at industry events.
• AirbusnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace company engaging with students through campus lectures and industry presentations.
• BoeingnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational aerospace company participating in university and regional government events highlighting talent and cooperation for the future of the sector.
• ITAéreaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation training company providing student workshops on airline strategy and data analysis.
• Catec (Centro Avanzado de Tecnologías Aeroespaciales)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndalusian aerospace technology center collaborating on Eagle project for drone use in offshore wind farm maintenance, funded by Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of Leicester: Existing partner on the lunar vehicle power systems project, with a School of Engineering active in space research including VINIS-style telescope analysis. Comparable as a UK-based research university collaborating on satellite and space exploration topics.
• Politecnico di Torino: Italian technical university with a strong aerospace engineering department active in satellite and UAV research, and with established ESA and industry partnerships. Comparable as a southern-European peer in aerospace education and applied research.
• ISAE-SUPAERO: Top-tier French aerospace engineering grande école offering MSc and PhD programs with strong industry ties to Airbus, Thales, and the French space agency CNES. Comparable as a European peer competing for similar graduate talent pools and ESA research funding.
• Cranfield University: UK postgraduate-only university specializing in aerospace, defense and manufacturing, with strong industrial research ties and an active UAS/drone program. Comparable as a focused aerospace postgraduate institution serving industry demand.
• ESEIAAT - Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya: UPC's aerospace engineering school, another leading Spanish technical university offering aeronautical degrees and conducting aerospace research. Comparable as a competing aerospace program within the Spanish public university system.
• Georgia Institute of Technology - Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering: Top-ranked US aerospace engineering school combining bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs with deep NASA, DoD, and industry research ties. Comparable as a research-intensive aerospace program at a major technical university.
• TU Delft - Faculty of Aerospace Engineering: Leading Dutch aerospace engineering faculty combining bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs with research in spacecraft, UAVs, and propulsion. Comparable as a European technical university with deep ESA engagement and industry partnerships.
• NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology: Existing cooperation partner of UVigo since 2020, NTNU hosts the Department of Aerospace Engineering and runs satellite missions relevant to small-satellite and space research. Comparable as a direct research collaborator and northern-European peer.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: US-based specialist aviation and aerospace university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, with strong industry and military placement pipelines. Comparable as a specialized aerospace education institution.
• ETSIAE - Universidad Politécnica de Madrid: Spain's flagship aeronautical engineering school within UPM, offering bachelor's and master's programs in aerospace engineering and serving as the historical benchmark for technical aeronautical education in Spain. Directly comparable as a national competitor for talent, research grants, and ESA partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/aero-ourense
• Instagraminstagram.com/aero_ourense

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering