Guildford, UK
Arzew, Algeria

The initial Earth observation images captured by AlSAT-1, the first DMC microsatellite in orbit, have been released.

These images demonstrate the remarkable capability and outstanding performance of the new microsatellite, which produces a unique combination of extremely large image area (up to 600×600 km swath width) at a ground sampling distance of 32-metres in three spectral bands. Reviewing these early results, SSTL CEO, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, said: “AlSAT-1 has met and exceeded our very high expectations, paving the way for the second DMC launch with three further satellites in July 2003. We are particularly pleased for our customer and DMC partner, CNTS, who have taken their first step into space with a truly innovative and important mission”.

AlSAT-1, launched in November 2002, is the pathfinder for the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), which brings together satellite-imaging capabilities of partner organisations from Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey and the UK. The constellation of SSTL-built satellites, when fully operational later this year, will allow DMC consortium members to retrieve 32-metre images of any point on the Earth in less than 24 hours ñ a service not presently available from any civil remote sensing system.

The DMC imagery, in partnership with Reuters AlertNet, will be available openly to serve the needs of the international disaster relief community. As a national resource for Consortium members, each satellite will provide remote sensing services for such needs as agricultural monitoring, land use, urban planning, water resource management, coastal desertification and geological surveys. Remote sensing experts at CNTS and the Surrey Space Centre will further explore key humanitarian and commercial applications of this unique and affordable imagery.

Sir Martin went on to say: “For more than 20 years Surrey has shown that microsatellites are increasingly able to perform useful and important missions. AlSAT-1 is further proof that services which once required satellites costing hundreds of millions of pounds can now be provided at an order of magnitude less cost. This is certain to change the economics of the remote-sensing industry”.

Available images of Western USA:
Illustrating the unique wide-swath imaging capability of this new satellite, the area shows a 600×600 km area stretching from Los Angeles up to the south-eastern region of San Francisco and across Nevada and New Mexico to Utah and the Grand Canyon:

http://www.sstl.co.uk/primages/alsat-images/WUSACaNv_120303.jpg

The full width multispectral images are very large (~1Gbyte) necessitating sub-sampled and compressed JPEGs for practicality of Internet download.

Full resolution tiles from the large image show Las Vegas and the Colorado River below the Hoover Dam:

http://www.sstl.co.uk/primages/alsat-images/LasVegaszoom_sharp.jpg

http://www.sstl.co.uk/primages/alsat-images/Coloradoriver_1024.jpg

Spacecraft images available at:

http://www.sstl.co.uk/primages/alsat-images/AlSATnew_inengr.jpg

http://www.sstl.co.uk/primages/alsat-images/AlSAT_complete.jpg

Further information from:

Audrey Nice
Press Officer
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
Surrey Space Centre
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH UK

Tel: +44 (0)1483 689278
Fax: +44 (0)1483 689503
Email: a.nice@sstl.co.uk

Editors’ Notes

About the AlSAT-1 project:
A joint team of CNTS and SSTL engineers designed and built the satellite and its sophisticated imaging payload under a know-how-transfer and training programme which started at SSTL in 2000. The programme encompassed all phases of the satellite mission, from design through to post-launch operations, including the installation of a mission control centre in Arzew, Algeria. Since its launch onboard a Cosmos rocket last November, a team of CNTS engineers at the Arzew ground station have commissioned all of the satellite’s subsystems and performed a wide range of tests on the imaging system.

AlSAT-1 weighs 90kg and measures approximately 1-metre cube. The spacecraft retains some elements of SSTL’s previous 20-mission heritage with new subsystems specifically tailored to the DMC mission. The remote sensing imager, designed and built by the joint CNTS/SSTL team at Surrey, consists of two digital camera banks, each providing 300 km of ground coverage in three spectral bands. Three solid-state data recorders on-board the satellite allow 1 Gbyte storage for images until retrieved by the Arzew or Surrey ground stations via 8Mbps S-band downlinks. Alternatively, the system can be programmed to take a number of smaller scenes from different locations. This high capacity, coupled with flexible computer-controlled image programming, is the core of the DMC concept. The microsatellite uses electro-thermal gas propulsion for orbit manoeuvres and constellation phasing.

About SSTL:
SSTL is the proven world leader in small satellite know-how-transfer and training, as well as being a successful supplier of turnkey satellite systems to a wide range of civil, scientific and military customers. AlSAT-1 is a further example of the new generation of advanced small satellites pioneered by SSTL providing high capability at very low cost ñ including launch. The constellation will demonstrate how small satellites can work together to provide exceptionally low cost operational services.

About CNTS:
The Centre National des Techniques Spatiales (CNTS) is located in Arzew, Algeria and was the focus of the AlSAT-1 project. Following the successful launch and commissioning of its first national satellite AlSAT-1, the Algerian Space Agency (ASA) was formed in December 2002 with former CNTS Director, Dr Oussedik Azzedine, appointed as its first Director-General.