TN
étection
satellite
satellite
ice des
010. À
led to
INEL-2
(8), pp.
cz, M.,
nd Use
ational
Spatial
ssment:
spectral
5.
, 2006.
d-cover
nmetric
-1188.
Pierrot-
fficient
satellite
Remote
A).
Din a
images.
Sensing
5-30.
Markov
on high
nal of
1-366.
n, N. J.,
Viley &
ng of
Remote
ost, P.,
d mask
nbining
sensors.
Remote
etection
and. In:
g. Vol.
tion on
schnical
PLÉIADES: RESPONSIVENESS, FLEXIBILITY, REACTIVITY
Ch. Gabriel-Robez?', Rob Lees? , Marc Bernard ^
* ASTRIUM ASV GEO, 5 rue des Satellites, BP14359, 31030 Toulouse, France. charlotte. gabriel-robez@spotimage. fr ;
marc.bernard@àspotimage. fr
? ASTRIUM ASV GEO, Spot Image Services, Canberra, Australia. lees@spotimage.com.au
KEY WORDS: Pléiades, phased constellation, disaster, mapping, monitoring, reliability, reactivity
ABSTRACT:
By the end of 2011, Astrium GEO-Information Services launched Pléiades 1, the first of two identical optical imaging satellites that
will be operated on a phased orbit. This satellite system, designed by the French Space Agency, CNES, based upon French Defense
specifications, will provide 50-cm products in record time. The overall aim of this paper is to describe the benefits of the innovative
features of Pléiades 1 and its operations, so as to assess their combined potential in emergency situations, crisis recovery, regular
monitoring or large area mapping. Specific care will be brought to describe the reactivity enabled by the system.
Based on real-life examples, the paper will lead the analysis on the two main components of the system.
On the one hand, the space segment will be presented through the following characteristics: revisit capacity, agility, acquisition
capacity and acquisition scenarios (target, single-pass mosaics, stereo, tristereo, linear monitoring, persistent surveillance).
On the other hand, the flexibility of the ground segment will be assessed. The benefits of multiple tasking plans per day, direct
tasking capacity, automated processing and on-line ordering and delivering will be illustrated, tested and qualified for applications
requiring a high level of responsiveness and reactivity.
The presentation will end with a summary of the benefits of the space segment features and the flexibility of the ground segment,
fine-tuned to answer both military and civilian / commercial needs. The analysis will be extended in the perspective of the second
Pléiades’ launch, highlighting the advantages of having two satellites operating on a phased orbit, affording a daily revisit anywhere
on Earth, with very high resolution.
1. INTRODUCTION
On December 16^, 2011, Pléiades 1 was launched from Kourou,
French Guyana. The Soyuz launcher lifted off at 02:02:30 UTC,
and satellite separation occurred at 02:58 UTC over Perth,
Australia. Solar panels deployed 30 seconds later.
Pléiades 2 will follow roughly one year after. The Pléiades
twins are two very high resolution satellites delivering 50 cm
ortho color products. Operated as a true constellation on a
phased orbit, the Pléiades system will afford unprecedented
reactivity, including urgent programming and direct tasking
mode. The Pléiades constellation is able to image any point on
the globe every day. Its massive acquisition capacity (1 million
sq. km / day / sat), broad swath (20 km) and outstanding agility
open new levels of performance. Catalogue, new acquisitions,
subscription services, online monitoring,... Pléiades services
were designed to stand just a click away from any user desktop
wherever in the world.
In fact, Pléiades 1 is only the first born of a 4-children family.
The upcoming launch of Pléiades 2 and Spot 6&7 will offer
unique solutions combining broad coverage, daily revisit and
very high resolution products and services. Four satellites over
the next four years will guarantee continued success for users’
projects.
| Figure 1 — Dubai UAE seen by Pléiades 1
Pansharpened product prototype from the commissioning phase.
(c) CNES 2011 — distribution Astrium Services / Spot Image
547
