Susan Jason

Launch of the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation; the development of a novel international partnership in space

Three spacecraft for the UK, Turkey and Nigeria were launched together in September 2003, to join Algerias satellite, AlSat-1, in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. has designed, built and launched the worlds first constellation to provide daily global Earth observation coverage at moderate resolution in three spectral bands. This international initiative will provide daily images for global disaster monitoring, as well as supporting each partner nations indigenous remote sensing requirements. The DMC programme establishes a novel model for international collaboration, and demonstrates how small satellite missions can be employed for a wide range of applications. This paper shows the first in-orbit mission results from DMC satellites including examples of unique EO data products comprising up to 600/spl times/600 km images gathered at 32-metres GSD in 3 spectral bands.

Earthquake science research with a microsatellite

Reliable, repeatable earthquake forecast is a subject surrounded by controversy and scepticism. What is clear is that reliable forecast would be a critical tool for effective earthquake disaster management. It is proposed that satellites and ground–based facilities may detect earthquake precursors in the ionosphere a few hours or days before the main shock. A low–cost 100 kg class satellite carrying a topside sounder is proposed, to make systematic measurements over seismically active zones. The mission aims to confirm or refute the hypothesis of ionospheric earthquake precursors, define the reliability and reproducibility, and enable further scientific understanding of their mechanisms.

ALSAT-1 First Year in Orbit

The role of satellites in medium and high-resolution reconnaissance of the Earth has been well demonstrated in recent years through missions such as Landsat, SPOT, IKONOS, EROS, ImageSat and Quickbird. Medium resolution data products have added significantly to Earth science, but commercial markets have concentrated on enhancing resolution. The markets for such high-resolution data products are well served, and are likely to become more competitive with further planned high-resolution missions. The small satellite sector has concentrated on reducing the cost of specialised data products that are ill served by current missions, and on the development of systems providing niche services. One such area where smaller satellites can provide a distinct advantage is in meeting the needs for higher temporal resolution, as this typically requires multiple satellites to operate as a constellation. Such a system has been discussed widely in the disaster monitoring community, Surrey is currently engaged in launching its first constellation to provide daily global coverage at moderate resolution in three spectral bands, as part of a system to provide global disaster monitoring. The first spacecraft in this Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), ALSAT-1, was launched in late 2002. The programme employs novel models for international collaboration, and demonstrates how small satellite missions can be employed in emerging applications. This paper provides an overview of the DMC programme, details the ALSAT-1 spacecraft and payload, and provides the first in-orbit mission results from ALSAT-1. The paper also addresses the future of the programme, and an update of the second DMC launch due in August 2003. The latest results of the 3rd DMC Consortium meeting will also be reviewed.