Main applications in the Earth observation - European applications
From INVESaTWIKI
Main applications in the Earth observation - European applications
The situation for European earth observation satellite
systems is only partially comparable to those in
the US. With the French SPOT series, Europe was
once leading the commercial supply of high resolution
satellite images. Though also used by military and security
forces, the requirements of European military
forces would not have so far justified the deployment
of commercial operations. European military interests
have been not as global as the US ones and European
military budgets are significantly smaller than those
of its Atlantic ally.
The new geopolitical situation and “asymmetric”
threats have changed this picture significantly. New military engagements require presence of European
troops in countries outside Europe. The new European
constitution gives the European Commission a greater
role in coordination of a “European Foreign and Security
Policy” (EFSP) and the procurement of military
systems. Therefore, a new European Defence Agency has been established in 2004. Since then, national
classified earth observation systems have been deployed
by France and few partner states (HELIOS) and
most recently by Germany (SARLupe with 5 imaging
radar satellites, which is due for operations in 2006).
The European White paper on space not only
constitutes an autonomous access to space (e.g. the Ariane
launcher programme), but also an independency
in the primary data supply as a strategic objective.
Whilst this objective is also a driver for the future European
ESA/Commission earth observation satellites
(i.e. the SENTINELS), European nations have already
started in the mid 90s to consider either a further privatisation
of the imaging satellite business and/or the
need for VHR data for national security and mapping
needs.
Meanwhile, European military agencies also act as
normal customers to the existing and near future suppliers
of VHR data. Systems, which can satisfy both
civilian and public needs, have been initiated in Italy
and France. The COSMOSkyMed project of Italy is
conducted in a partnership with the Italian military and
therefore classified as dual-use. Three X-Band imaging
radar satellites will form a capability, amended
later by two optical VHR satellites delivered by a
similar French dual use set-up, the Pleiades system.
A French–Italian user preparation program under the
name ORFEO has started, which also includes the development
of data evaluation tools.
Recently, Spain has started a project—named
Tarsis—aimed to complement the Italo–French reconnaissance
satellite network by Spanish small satellites
with optical and radar capabilities (Aviation Week,
August 2, 2004).
Though, not intended for security and military use,
other commercial earth observation imaging systems
also value military customers as important clients. Notably
the German TerraSAR-X VHR radar satellite
will offer its polarized SAR modes and phased-array
antenna flexibility to military and security customers
worldwide. TerraSAR-X is done in a public private
partnership (PPP) between the German Space Agency
(DLR) and ASTRIUM, Germany. In return for the governmental
investment in the satellite and the built-up
and operations of the entire ground segment at DLR,
DLR has the right to have access to 50% of the entire
global satellite capacity for non-commercial, primarily
scientific investigations. The remaining 50% of
the imaging capacity will be exclusively sold to international
customers and ground stations by InfoTerra,
Germany, a subsidiary of ASTRIUM.
Another German commercial company, Rapid Eye,
has meanwhile concluded its financial set-up and is
targeted to launch a five satellite based optical system.
Though meant for agricultural monitoring and not in
the VHR domain, the high repetition rate of the five
satellites could be an important factor for some users
concerned with rapid and most frequent observations. [1]
References
[1] G.Schreier, S.Dech
"High resolution Earth observation satellites and services in the next decade - A european perspective".
