Airbus Defence and Space has embarked on the Pléiades Neo Next program, marking a significant advancement in its Earth observation capabilities. This initiative will augment the company’s existing satellite fleet with new assets featuring superior native resolution capabilities. The initial phase of the program will involve the development of a cutting-edge satellite, slated for launch in the forthcoming years.
Karen Florschütz, Executive Vice President Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space, emphasized the program’s significance in building upon the success of the existing Pléiades Neo constellation, which caters to government and commercial clients worldwide. She stated, “This new program will further enhance our standard of excellence in terms of quality, performance, and reliability to deliver images as well as geo-intelligence services and applications.”
Airbus Defence and Space fully funds and operates the Pléiades Neo Next program, aiming to provide support to sectors such as defense, agriculture, environmental monitoring, maritime activities, emergency response, and urban planning. Clients can instruct Airbus satellites up to minutes prior to overhead passage, receiving images either through ground-based Direct Receiving Stations or the OneAtlas digital platform shortly after acquisition.
The program envisions the integration of Pléiades Neo and Pléiades Neo Next to ensure more frequent revisits on a global scale, enhanced spatial resolution, and unmatched geolocation precision. This development will encompass improvements to ground systems and digital platforms, optimizing imagery processing capacity and expediting the turnaround time from request to delivery.
With the Pléiades Neo Next program, Airbus continues to solidify its leadership in Earth observation technologies. The company’s comprehensive satellite array combines optical and radar technologies, ensuring all-weather, day-and-night functionality. Furthermore, Airbus is actively exploring novel technologies involving stratospheric platforms.
By embarking on this ambitious initiative, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to advancing the boundaries of Earth observation. The company’s dedication to providing innovative solutions for various sectors promises to revolutionize the way we monitor, analyze, and comprehend our planet.
