The Brandenberg, Germany-based company RapidEye will launch a constellation of five earth observation satellites capable of downloading over 4 million km² of high resolution, multi-spectral imagery per day. The satellites are built and will be shipped to the launch site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan some time this summer.

The constellation of satellites aims to meet the geospatial information and image data needs of a diverse worldwide client base, focused on integrating customized and industry specific solutions into the workflow of global customers in agriculture, forestry, energy, infrastructure, government, security and emergency. RapidEye has configured its image data processing facility to generate a wide variety of satellite-derived products.

“For the first time since signing the supply contract in 2004 with CCC (Canadian Commercial Corporation) to have MDA (MacDonald Dettwiler) build the ground and space segment of the RapidEye system, we can say that we see the finish line. Anticipation is building every day,” said Pietro Widmer, Head of the Operations and Engineering Department.

“Currently, nothing is standing in the way of us launching this summer,” Mr. Widmer says. “Although there can always be unforeseen delays in this business, I’m very optimistic.”

Read more related Spatial Sustain posts: