GMV and Real Betis Install Satellite Tracking Station in Seville to Support Space Surveillance and Sustainability

GMV and Real Betis Install Satellite Tracking Station in Seville to Support Space Surveillance and Sustainability
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Oct 31, 2025

GMV and the Real Betis professional soccer team have inaugurated a satellite tracking and collision prediction station at the Rafael Gordillo Sports Complex near Seville. This facility enhances Europe's space monitoring capabilities and positions Real Betis as the first soccer club with dedicated infrastructure for space sustainability.

The installation is part of GMV's Focusear network, which supports Europe's space situational awareness by detecting and tracking orbiting objects to manage collision risks. The new 2.7-meter diameter satellite dish operates passively, receiving Ku band signals from geostationary satellites without emitting electromagnetic interference.

GMV chose Seville for the station due to its secure location, clear sky visibility, electrical connectivity, and accessibility. GMV, with over 40 years in the space sector, collaborates with Real Betis' Forever Green platform to combine technology and environmental responsibility, promoting both space and Earth sustainability.

The infrastructure strengthens GMV's national network alongside existing stations in Madrid, Valladolid, and Barcelona. This network supports satellite operators and European space surveillance systems, enabling 24/7 monitoring. GMV plans to expand services to cover other geostationary longitudes and low Earth orbit satellites used for Earth observation and communication.

The Rafael Gordillo Sports Complex, inaugurated in 2023 near Seville, exemplifies sustainability in sports facilities. It incorporates renewable energy, heat pump climate control, rainwater reuse, cork turf surfaces, and automated environmental systems. Real Betis is among Europe's first soccer clubs to meet the EU's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme standards for environmental management.

Miguel Angel Molina, Chair of GMV's Space Council, highlighted the importance of addressing space debris to safeguard critical satellite services like communications and weather forecasting. Nicolas Martin of the Spanish Space Agency noted Seville's growing role in space technology leadership in Spain. Catalina Garcia, Andalusia's Minister of Sustainability, underlined the project's blend of technological development and environmental protection.

This collaboration merges GMV's space expertise with Real Betis' commitment to sustainability, extending the club's environmental focus beyond Earth into orbit.