Pleiades-HR (High-Resolution Optical Imaging Constellation of CNES) Artist's rendition of the deployed Pleiades spacecraft (image credit: CNES)

Planning into the future Airbus Defense and Space will supply four very high-resolution (VHR) optical Earth observation satellites to be launched in 2020 and 2021 that will ensure continuity of the Pléiades mission. Recognized operational Pléiades system features will be improved to match the market requirements expected to be the norm at the time of launch, and will deliver new applications such as business intelligence and analytics.

Highly responsive dual VHR constellation will offer state-of-the art service to the Airbus Defence and Space imagery user’s community for the next decade.

As announced at World Satellite Business Week by Nicolas Chamussy, Head of the Business Line Space Systems within Airbus Defence and Space and confirmed by Bernhard Brenner, Head of Intelligence Business Cluster at Airbus Defence and Space, Airbus Defence and Space is designing and building a new constellation of optical satellites, comprising four identical and very agile sensors delivering very high-resolution imagery. 

Along with the space segments, to be launched in 2020 and 2021, innovative ground segments offering multi-mission capabilities, large-scale image processing and easy data access incorporating “bigdata/cloud technologies” will be developed and deployed. This will not only enhance applications in traditional markets but will also open up new applications in developing markets, analytics and intelligence.

Offering intraday revisit capacity of any point on Earth, improved reactivity in satellite tasking, and the ability to capture millions of km² per day, this constellation, entirely funded, owned and operated by Airbus Defence and Space, will respect the continuity of Pléiadesand all French laws and regulations.   https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/3rd-party-missions/current-missions/pleiades-hr