The Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Company Ltd (21AT), a commercial Earth observation satellite operator based in Beijing, has bought the imaging capacity of three DMC3/TripleSat satellites that were designed and manufactured by SSTL.
The very high-resolution imager on board the satellites will provide 1 metre ground sampling distance (GSD) in panchromatic mode, and 4 metre GSD in multispectral mode, with a swath width of 23.4km.
The three satellites will be phased 120 degrees apart around the same orbit using their on board propulsion systems within three months after the launch; thus with off-pointing capability, the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation will be able to target anywhere on Earth once per day. In addition, the wide swath width of the satellites provides the best combination of spatial resolution and time resolution – aiming at stimulating operational monitoring applications, such as urban planning and intelligent management, based on changes detected by timely and regular cloud-free, very high-resolution imagery.
About 21AT
Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Co. Ltd. is the first and only EO commercial satellite operator in China. Its headquarters is in Beijing, employs more than 300 employees and has been providing remote sensing applications in China since the launch of its first satellite – Beijing-1 in 2005. Beijing-1 is one of five satellites in DMC that had provided international disaster response through International Charter and Beijing-1 satellite imagery to international customers.
Based on Beijing-1 success, 21AT has acquired the new capability of three 1m satellites in a constellation for BJII service. In orbit commission is expected to be completed three months after the launch. 21AT will start the operational worldwide satellite data services from the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation following the completion of the commission. 21AT will create new applications for customers and business opportunities for worldwide partners through its operational monitoring services powered by DMC3/TripleSat Constellation.
About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world’s leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with over 500 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
Since 1981, SSTL has built and launched 47 satellites – as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with an innovative approach that is changing the economics of space. Headquartered in Guildford, UK, SSTL is part of the Airbus Group.
www.sstl.co.uk