Abstract

Three spacecraft for the UK, Turkey and Nigeria were launched together in September 2003, to join Algeria's satellite, AlSat-1, in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. has designed, built and launched the world's first constellation to provide daily global Earth observation coverage at moderate resolution in three spectral bands. This international initiative will provide daily images for global disaster monitoring, as well as supporting each partner nation's indigenous remote sensing requirements. The DMC programme establishes a novel model for international collaboration, and demonstrates how small satellite missions can be employed for a wide range of applications. This paper shows the first in-orbit mission results from DMC satellites including examples of unique EO data products comprising up to 600/spl times/600 km images gathered at 32-metres GSD in 3 spectral bands.

Highlights

  • Three spacecraft for the UK,Turkey and Nigeria were launched together in September 2003, Io join Algeria's satellite

  • The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) programme establishes a novel model for international collaboration, and demonstrates how small satellite missions can be employed for a wide range of applications

  • This paper shows the first in-orbit mission resulrs from DMC salellites including examples of unique EO data products comprising up to ti00 x 6 W . h images gathered at 32-meIres GSD in 3 spectral bands

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Data products have added significantly to Euth science, but commercial markets have concentrated on further. The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology agreed to participate in the constellation with an advanced spacecraft carrying the standard DMC 32m ground-sample distance (CSD) multi-spectral payload, in combination with a higherresolution 4m GSD panchromatic imager. Rather than targeting a single Source of funding for the constellation, a novel concept was adapted based on individual ownership of a single spacecraft and ground station pair This leads to a relativcly small investment for each participant. A but direct provision has been made for directing free Memorandum Of Undentanding was signed by all use of the constellation in cases of a disaster area being Parties As it proved difficult for the Consortium declared by the UnitedNations. In zow Algeria,s Cenlre National des Techniques a third launch that would cover the remaining satellites

Centre followed
DMC CONSTELLATION DESIGN
DMC PAYLOAD
DMC SPACECRAFT PLATFORM
The shucture is based on AluminiumHoneycomb panelss and has been
The ability to continue extending the swath in lifetime’
The DMC is designed to operate with a distributed
FROM THE DMC SPACE CRAFT
Spacecraft such as the DMC small Earth Observation
PLANSFORTHEFUTURE data products can be provided with exceptionally wide

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