AstroVision Granted FCC Satellite License

AstroVision International, Inc. received its radio uplink and downlink license from the U.S. Federal Communications (FCC) Commission and expects to name a builder for its satellites before year-end.

AstroVision is planning a satellite system to provide live video images of Earth. The company recently selected Malin Space Science Systems to design and build its camera systems. The company hopes to complete financing for the project next year and launch its first satellite, AVStar 1, in 2003.

AstroVision expects its 300 kg (660 lbm) satellites to cost US$50 million each. Each spacecraft will be equipped with two sets of cameras: a wide-field camera with 7 km (4.3 mile) resolution and a narrow-field camera with a 0.5 km (0.3 mile) resolution. AvStar will deliver one frame every four seconds, compared to one frame every 15 to 20 minutes for curret weather satellites.

AstroVision was formed in 1997, with headquarters located in Alexandria, Virginia and offices at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.  
  

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