Airbus is gearing up for a complete Pléiades Neo constellation by the end of 2022, when the last two satellites will launch into orbit. Early in May, Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 successfully passed final tests in their Toulouse, France clean rooms. The two satellites are set to launch together on a Vega C European launcher from Kourou, French Guiana in September, 2022. With both satellites assembled and ready to go, launching two sizeable satellites at the same time was a challenge for Airbus to meet.
Airbus engineers designed a sleek and simple solution to launch the satellites simultaneously by stacking them together and securing them with a clamp band. The new design saves space and weight on the Vega C launcher, subsequently saving money. Airbus also saved time in the testing phase, allowing engineers to test them at the same time and in only four days!
By the end of 2022, the Pléiades Neo constellation will be complete, thereby doubling the existing collection capacity of 30-cm Airbus satellite imagery. Each satellite collects half a million square kilometers of imagery a day, together collecting 2-million square kilometers once the entire constellation is operational. With twice-daily revisit times, Pléiades Neo will offer responsive tasking and unparalleled collection opportunities.
Check out key specifications of the 30-cm Pléiades Neo constellation:
Imaging System
- Spectral Bands:
- Panchromatic
- 6 multispectral channels
- Blue, green, red, NIR, deep blue and red edge
- Sensor Resolution:
- At nadir – 30-cm panchromatic & 1.2-m multispectral
- Spectral Band Wavelength Range: (in nm) Deep Blue, Blue, Green, Red, Red Edge, Near-infrared, Panchromatic
- Panchromatic – 450 to 800
- Deep Blue – 400 to 450
- Blue – 450 to 520
- Green – 530 to 590
- Red – 620 to 690
- Red Edge – 700-750
- NIR – 770 to 880
- Dynamic Range: 12-bits
You can search for Pléiades Neo 3 and 4 30-cm satellite imagery now on Image Hunter!
And if you have any questions about the Pléiades Neo constellation, let us know by email at sales@apollomapping.com and we will be happy to help out!
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