It sounds unlikely, but it is a \u00a0fact\u00a0. Real Betis Balompi\u00e9 has entered the \u00a0space sector\u00a0. And without leaving \u00a0Seville\u00a0. The historic football club and the aerospace company \u00a0GMV\u00a0 have installed a satellite surveillance and tracking antenna in the Rafael Gordillo sports city.<\/p>\n
<img alt=\"Starlink stopped competing with satellite Internet companies a long time ago: now it is going for something much bigger\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/i.blogs.es\/576357\/starlink\/375_142.png\"\/><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe agreement makes Betis the \u00a0first football club\u00a0 in the world to host a facility dedicated to the sustainability of space. More specifically, it focuses on the pressing challenge of \u00a0space debris\u00a0 and the growing risk of \u00a0collisions in orbit\u00a0.<\/p>\n
Understanding the Space Debris Problem<\/h2>\n
Betis 1 – Space trash 130 million.<\/strong> Congestion in Earth’s orbit may not be the main concern of green-and-white fans, but it is indeed a \u00a0danger\u00a0 for the satellites we use every day. Whether using a car navigator, checking the weather forecast, or streaming a football match, space debris poses significant risks.<\/p>\nThousands of operational satellites coexist with up to \u00a0130 million fragments of space debris\u00a0. These fragments are pieces of dead satellites and remains of rockets that travel at \u00a0hypersonic speeds\u00a0, forcing active satellites to perform \u00a0evasion maneuvers\u00a0. It is “one of the great challenges that humanity faces in the orbital environment,” says Miguel \u00c1ngel Molina from GMV.<\/p>\n
The Role of the New Satellite Dish<\/h2>\n
Monitor and prevent.<\/strong> This is where the new \u00a02.7-meter satellite dish\u00a0 installed at the Betis training center comes into play. Its essential mission is to \u00a0track space debris\u00a0 and predict collisions to avoid them.<\/p>\nTo achieve this, GMV has internally developed a system called \u00a0Focusear\u00a0. This innovative technology works by “listening” to the signals emitted by satellites themselves in the \u00a0Ku band\u00a0, which is the same band used by satellite television and is positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately \u00a036,000 km\u00a0 above the Earth.<\/p>\n
High Precision Tracking<\/h2>\n
Nanosecond precision.<\/strong> Upon receiving these signals, the system employs \u00a0radio frequency triangulation techniques\u00a0 (TDoA and FDoA) to determine the exact position and orbit of the satellites, with a margin of error of about \u00a0three meters\u00a0\u2014equivalent to just \u00a010 nanoseconds\u00a0.<\/p>\nThis data is crucial for \u00a0satellite operators\u00a0, who manage the evasion maneuvers of their fleets. Additionally, it contributes to expanding the \u00a0European Space Surveillance System (EUSST)\u00a0, a catalog of objects aimed at preventing \u00a0large-scale collisions\u00a0 in space.<\/p>\n
Why Real Betis?<\/h2>\n
Why Betis?<\/strong> The Sevillian club had previously created the \u00a0Forever Green Foundation\u00a0, a name that reflects the club\u2019s commitment to sustainability. In addition to sporting green colors, Betis is recognized as the \u00a0most sustainable club in LaLiga\u00a0 and the second in Europe regarding \u00a0energy efficiency\u00a0, \u00a0recycling\u00a0, and \u00a0water reuse\u00a0.<\/p>\nBy extending its vision of sustainability into space, Betis embraces a commitment that goes “beyond the Earth,” as stated by Rafa Muela, the foundation\u2019s manager. Additionally, Seville serves as the headquarters of the \u00a0Spanish Space Agency\u00a0, making the club\u2019s choice of location both strategic and meaningful, helping to establish the Andalusian capital as a noteworthy player in national space development.<\/p>\n
In essence, this pioneering partnership highlights how sports organizations can be at the forefront of \u00a0social responsibility\u00a0, leveraging their platforms to address global challenges. Betis has provided a \u00a0model\u00a0 for how sports entities can engage with cutting-edge tech industries. This collaboration between Real Betis and GMV not only enhances the club’s brand but also strengthens its commitment to \u00a0sustainability and innovation\u00a0 in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.<\/p>\n
As the challenges related to space debris continue to grow, the initiatives taken by organizations like GMV and Real Betis will be pivotal in ensuring a sustainable future for both space exploration and our daily digital lives. This unique intersection of sports and technology sets a precedent for future collaboration, emphasizing that dedication to the environment knows no boundaries.<\/p>\n
Image | GMV, Real Betis Balompi\u00e9<\/p>\n
In Xataka | Three large pieces of space debris reenter every day: “one day our luck will run out and they will fall on someone.”<\/p>\n