UK-DMC2 and Deimos-1 launch buzz

Wednesday, July 15. 2009
Launch updates

SSTL is currently a hive of activity as the two new DMC constellation satellites UK-DMC2 and Deimos-1 are prepared for launch on 25th July.

The Earth observation missions, UK-DMC2 and Deimos-1, will be launched onboard a Dnepr rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Saturday, 25th July 2009 at 18:46 UTC, 19:46 BST.

The spacecraft, which are both based on the 100kg class SSTL-100 micro satellite platform, will join the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), expanding the constellation to six operational satellites. The new satellites will enhance DMC satellite daily imaging capacity for applications such as deforestation mapping, urban planning, natural resource management, security, agriculture and disaster relief operations.

To find out more about the UK-DMC2 satellite, earth observation applications that it will participate in and its role in international disaster relief efforts visit the UK-DMC2 pages on the SSTL website.


Continue reading "UK-DMC2 and Deimos-1 launch buzz"

Posted by Robin Wolstenholme in Launch updates at 12:41 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
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How many spacecraft can you fit in a Dnepr?

Thursday, May 22. 2008
Launch updates

Fit check in progress showing 2 RapidEye spaceraft.
This may sound like a familiar joke - but for the 5 RapidEye spacecraft built by SSTL a fit-check is an important preparation before the ultimate launch. The SSTL and MDA (the prime) launch teams visited the KB Yuznoye works at Dnepropetrovsk, April 14th – 18th, to conduct a spacecraft fit-check with the Dnepr launch vehicle.

Fit-check is an important event in the launch schedule as its purpose is to technically clear the way for successful integration of the flight spacecraft at the Cosmodrome.

The fit-check established that all the physical interfaces between the spacecraft and the launch vehicle were correct. During meetings, the launch teams were able to qualify the actual route of integration – an especially important activity when, as in this case, five spacecraft are being launched on a single launch vehicle.

So the answer, dear Space Blog reader is 5 - or at least 5 RapidEye spacecraft.

Posted by Robin Wolstenholme in Launch updates at 15:44 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
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Next generation DMC satellites for 2008 launch

Tuesday, October 9. 2007
Launch updates

SSTL is to launch two new enhanced Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) satellites in the fourth quarter of 2008. Deimos-1, which was built for Deimos SL (Spain) and SSTL’s UK-DMC2 will be launched onboard a Dnepr rocket from the new Kosmotras launch site in southern Ural.

DEIMOS-1 will provide higher resolution imagery
Both Demios-1 and UK-DMC2 will carry an enhanced version of the DMC wide area imaging system, providing 600km wide swaths of the Earth in three spectral bands at a ground resolution of 22-metres. This is an advance on the current 32-metre DMC imager, which has been successfully providing imagery for over five years in the current constellation of five spacecraft. Additionally, the new spacecraft have over ten times the capacity for information provision. These significant enhancements reflect SSTL’s evolutionary approach to development that provides state of the art performance with minimal risk. The improved resolution and capacity enable the system to better meet European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security program needs, particularly in the areas of forestry and fire.

UK-DMC2 has been funded and developed by SSTL to continue the success of DMC International Imaging (DMCii), which commercially exploits the data and help ensure continuity of the unique service provided by the constellation of DMC satellites for disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

The launch contract has been signed with ISC Kosmotras, with Commercial Space Technologies (CST) acting as the interface between SSTL and the launch agency.

Deimos Imaging (DMI) is part of the Deimos Space Group, and is based in the Boecillo Technology Park, Madrid. DMI is led by the Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque and aims at offering products based on satellite-captured information for use in Earth observation applications. One of the most notable aspects of DMI is the vertical integration of the production chain, which includes its own capture capability through the Deimos-1 satellite, as well as a remote sensing laboratory boasting a high R&D&I capacity.

Posted by Robin Wolstenholme in Launch updates at 14:39 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
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Payload testing update

Wednesday, January 11. 2006
Launch updates

Yesterday, the payload clocks were tested. They lock to the required frequency and work correctly.

Today is the first switch-on of the RF transmission system of the payload, which will send the first Galileo navigation signals to the ground.

There will be more updates tomorrow.

Posted by Robin Wolstenholme in Launch updates at 16:26 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)
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