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Spot Image is planning a constellation
of small remote sensing satellites as the follow-on system to
their Spot series. The new constellation could have as many as
three different types of satellites, with a variety of sensors, at
orbits of around 800 km (500 miles). The new satellites would
offer higher resolution than currently available, though no
decisions have yet been made on the sensors. The constellation
could be launched as early as 2002 fulfilling the company’s
needs through 2008-2010.
Spot Image is also studying new ways
to handle its ground segment. Spot Image currently leases services
around the world for its telemetry. The company is now studying
building its own ground stations as well as using a
store-and-forward capability to record data for telemetry download
later, thereby reducing the number of ground stations needed. The
network studies will be done at the end of the second quarter and
a decision on the approach the company will take for its ground
infrastructure may come by the end of the year.
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