Successfully deployed satellite constellation CO3D, constructed by Airbus, now charting our globe in intricate three-dimensional detail.
The CO3D satellite constellation, a groundbreaking collaboration between Airbus and the French Space Agency (CNES), has been successfully launched into orbit. Comprising four Earth observation satellites, CO3D promises to revolutionize geospatial technology with its high-resolution 3D maps.
Launched by Arianespace's Vega-C rocket from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, the CO3D satellites are now in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 502 km. They are based on Airbus’s all-electric Astrobus SE platform, a testament to the constellation's efficiency and compactness. This platform, derived from commercial telecom satellite designs (OneWeb), has enabled the creation of satellites weighing around 250 to 300 kg.
The CO3D satellites are equipped with unique optical instruments capable of simultaneous multispectral stereo imaging, yielding 3D terrain data with unprecedented revisit speed for such high resolution. This innovative technology allows the satellites to capture stereo imagery with approximately 50 cm spatial resolution in red, green, blue, and near-infrared bands.
One of the key advantages of CO3D is its ability to provide both civil and military applications. It supports a wide range of uses, including urban planning, terrain modeling, precision farming, forestry, hydrology, civil security, and land/resource management. The constellation is designed to rapidly collect stereo images to generate accurate Digital Surface Models (DSMs) with about 1-meter relative altimetric accuracy. This enables high revisit rates with zones of interest remapped every few months globally within five years.
Another technological innovation of CO3D is the use of S-band antennas for high-bandwidth telemetry, tracking, and command operations. The mission also boasts a cloud-based ground segment operated by Airbus, with advanced image processing chains developed by CNES that transform raw data into actionable 3D products.
In addition to the CO3D satellites, the launch also included the MicroCarb satellite, a joint mission between CNES and the UK Space Agency. Equipped with a high-precision Airbus-made spectrometer, MicroCarb is designed to map atmospheric carbon content on a planetary scale. Its data will be invaluable to climate scientists.
Over the next six months, the CO3D satellites will undergo in-orbit testing. Following this phase, they are expected to begin an 18-month campaign to deliver a 3D map of France and the 'crisis arc' to CNES. Beyond this, the constellation aims to deliver a global high-resolution Digital Surface Model (DSM).
The CO3D programme leverages manufacturing expertise from the OneWeb constellation satellites' development. The satellites are assembled using a modern, digitalized assembly line in Toulouse, inspired by the automotive and aeronautical industries. This approach ensures the highest quality and efficiency in the production process.
In summary, the CO3D satellite constellation represents a significant leap in geospatial technology. By combining high-resolution multispectral stereo imaging with rapid global coverage, it promises to produce precise 3D maps, addressing a wide variety of modern Earth observation requirements through innovative satellite design and data processing.
The CO3D satellites, equipped with unique optical instruments and operating on Airbus's all-electric Astrobus SE platform, are poised to revolutionize environmental-science and space-and-astronomy fields, as they capture stereo imagery with high resolution and unprecedented revisit speed. This cutting-edge technology facilitates the creation of 3D terrain data, supporting diverse applications such as urban planning, forestry, and land/resource management.
Moreover, the CO3D constellation democratizes access to advanced technology, as it is not limited to academic or military sectors, but also catering to civil uses, including civil security and precision farming. This innovative geospatial technology harnesses the power of S-band antennas for high-bandwidth telemetry, tracking, and command operations, ensuring fast and efficient data transmission.
