KazEOSat-1 (formerly known as DZZ-HR), the Republic of Kazakhstan”s first Earth observation satellite, was successfully launched last night on board a Vega launcher from the European Spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana). It is in a low Sun-synchronous orbit (about 700 km from Earth), from which it will operate, and has sent the first operational signal. KazEOSat-1 was built entirely by Airbus Defence and Space.
KazEOSat-1 is based on the Astrobus platform, including technologies combining performance, quick delivery and high value for money, designed for missions as varied as imaging (Pléiades, SPOT 6 & 7, Ingenio, and others), environmental monitoring (Sentinel-2) and meteorology (Sentinel-5p). This state-of-the-art system also benefits from the unique expertise developed by Airbus Defence and Space in the field of SiC (silicon carbide) space structures and instruments.
KazEOSat-1 is the high-resolution element of a space observation system that will comprise two satellites and their ground segment. The medium-resolution satellite, KazEOSat-2, is built by SSTL, a British subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space.
These two satellites form part of “Kazakhstan”s Space Plan”, which also includes the construction in Astana, the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, of a satellite integration & test centre, for which key equipment is being supplied by Airbus Defence and Space. In 2009, Airbus Defence and Space was chosen by Kazakhstan as a strategic partner in this Space Plan, and has already trained 60 engineers and technicians from Kazakhstan. Airbus Defence and Space and the joint stock company Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary, a national company under the supervision of the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, have formed a joint-venture named Ghalam in order to run this centre. Airbus Defence and Space currently is the world”s leading exporter of Earth observation satellites.
To find out more about KazEOSat-1: https://youtu.be/PAtBrnFUT98.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space
