Artist’s rendition of a satellite – paulfleet/123RF Stock Photo
Looking at the latest satellite launches from China, alongside first light images released by BlackSky, and the layoffs in the United States which could impact the Earth Observation (EO) sector.
Latest Chinese Launches
Last Thursday saw the launch of two SuperView Neo-1 EO satellites, on a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. They were put into near-polar orbits with altitudes of around five hundred kilometres.
The two satellites, also known as Siwei Gaojing-1 03 and 04, are operated by the commercial firm China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co., Ltd, and were built by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). They are believed to be high-resolution optical imaging satellites with a ground resolution of 0.5 m. Although precise instrument details are difficult to find, SuperView Neo-1 01 and 02 were launched in 2022 and they offer four band multispectral imagery with a 30 cm ground resolution for the panchromatic mode.
According to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, these new satellites have the highest spatial resolution of commercial remote sensing satellites within China, and the data will be used for precision mapping services.
First Light Images
On Tuesday, BlackSky, released the first light images of its Gen-3 EO microsatellite, which was launched on the 18th February by Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. The images are of Sydney Harbour and were acquired five days after launch.
This very high-resolution commercial satellite is orbiting at an altitude of 470 kilometres, and is carrying a BlackSky Imager, also known as SpaceView Generation 3 imaging telescope. The imager is believed to have four bands, three visible bands and one panchromatic, and offers 0.35 metre spatial resolution. It is anticipated that the data will be used for applications including land observation and disaster monitoring.
Following the first light images, Gen-3 is undergoing further testing and commissioning work and is expected to begin providing imagery to customers at the start of next month.
Impact of President Trump’s Administration
As part on the ongoing job reduction programme in the United States Federal government it’s being reported that staff have been laid off from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Space Commerce – estimated to be almost 25% of the staff. Among the staff impacted are those working in the Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Division, which manages the licensing of commercial imaging spacecraft. Those organisations with commercial remote sensing licenses have been informed that any future communications should be sent to NOAA’s Office of General Counsel, who will provide ongoing support for the foreseeable future.
Currently, it is unclear of the impact of this change, but there is potential to slow down the approval of any new, or modified, licences for EO satellite operators. While there is unlikely to be any immediate impact, as any satellites due to be launched in the very near future will already have their licences. In the short to medium term, it may slow down licenses which could potentially delay new launches.
Summary
The EO sector continues to develop with more satellites and new sensors, and it will be interesting to see if the changes to licensing arrangements in the United States has any impact on launches this year.
