Responding to EO market needs through international cooperation and low cost small satellite constellations
- Paper number
IAC-05-B1.1.03
- Author
Mr. David Hodgson, DMC International Imaging Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Paul Stephens, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Martin Sweeting, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) consisting of small low cost satellites has been established to provide the capability to image anywhere in the world daily, and thereby provide a unique capability for disaster monitoring. In 2004 the first 4 Member nations, Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey and the United Kingdom, coordinated their spacecraft in a constellation orbit. Through a cooperative ground segment the DMC member nations now work together to provide mid-resolution, wide area coverage, remote sensing data in response to international disasters. In 2005, in addition to servicing the needs of the member nations and responding to disasters, the DMC has supplied data for scientific use and commenced commercial operations. This paper reports on the range of innovative applications within member nations stimulated by the unique capabilities of the DMC, wide area coverage and rapid revisit, including landcover classification and precision farming services. The paper will also examine the steps taken by DMC to actively respond to the requirements of the market in terms of responsive programming, improved data quality and speed of delivery, with a forward look to the next steps.
- Abstract document