Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. (21AT) has announced the availability of in-orbit images acquired from its recently-launched TripleSat Constellation.

The constellation, comprising three identical optical satellites, is capable of providing one metre native ground sampling distance (GSD) panchromatic and 4 metre GSD multispectral images, with a 24km swath width.

Image-1 was taken over Argentina by TripleSat-1, Image-2 over Athens by TripleSat-2 and Image-3 over Rimini, Italy by TripleSat-3.

Launched on 10th July 2015,TripleSat-1, 2 and 3 were injected into the same 651km orbit one quarter of a second apart. All three satellites have been moved using on-board propulsion to their designated orbital positions 33 minutes behind each other.

The TripleSat Constellation is able to target any point on the Earth’s surface at least once per day. With this unique capability in high resolution satellite imagery, 21AT wishes to demonstrate that satellite Earth observation is reliable and can provide consistent information to stimulate new market niches in operational monitoring, made possible by the changes detected by timely and regular cloud-free very high-resolution imagery.

The TripleSat Constellation not only has the capability of along track stereo imaging with any single satellite, but also cross track stereo imaging with adjacent satellites that is made feasible by three satellites in a constellation. The large data storage on board each satellite in the constellation allows the selection of cloud-free images for efficient download.

Within a few weeks, 21AT will start initial services for its strategic partners, anchor customers and master distributors. Formal commercial data services with 24 hours /7 days operational capability are expected to commence in November 2015 upon completion of radiometric calibration and performance verification tests.

The TripleSat Constellation, manufactured by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. of the UK, offers a compelling combination of spatial and temporal resolution along with impressive technical specifications to serve data users and support a wide range of applications.

The image from TripleSat-1 on 31 August 2015 over Argentina

The image from TripleSat-2 on 2 August 2015 over Athens, Greece

The image from TripleSat-3 on 29 August 2015 over Rimini, Italy

The corresponding high quality images have already been uploaded on our web site. Here are the links:

1.The image from TripleSat-1 on 31 August over Argentina
http://www.21at.com.cn/en/Aboutus/News&Events/201509/t20150914_30909.html

2.The image from TripleSat-2 on 2 August over Athens, Greece
http://www.21at.com.cn/en/Aboutus/News&Events/201509/t20150914_30908.html

3.The image from TripleSat-3 on 29 August over Rimini, Italy
http://www.21at.com.cn/en/Aboutus/News&Events/201509/t20150914_30907.html

Press Contact:
Dr. Wei Sun, International Marketing Director, 21AT
Tel: +861082927822
Mob: +8613439064822
Email: weisun@21at.sg
Website: www.21at.com.cn

About 21AT
Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Co. Ltd. is the first and only Earth Observation commercial satellite operator in China. With headquarters in Beijing, 21AT employs more than 300 people and has been providing remote sensing applications in China since the launch of its first satellite, Beijing-1, in 2005. Beijing-1 was one of five satellites in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) providing disaster response through the International Charter. Based on the success of Beijing-1, 21AT has acquired the new capability of three 1metre GSD satellites in a constellation for imagery data services. 21AT will provide in-depth application support from its comprehensive value added services and create business opportunities for worldwide partners through its operational monitoring services powered by the TripleSat Constellation. 21AT (Asia) in Singapore has been established to support streamlined access to the worldwide market.

About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world’s leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with over 500 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.

Since 1981, SSTL has built and launched 47 satellites – as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with an innovative approach that is changing the economics of space.

Headquartered in Guildford, UK, SSTL is part of the Airbus Group.
www.sstl.co.uk