The UK-based start-up satellite operator Sen has ordered five 16U-CubeSats from NanoAvionics bus manufacturer. The satellites will integrate a high resolution video imager which will provide a Earth observation service called “EarthTV”. The imaging payload of each spacecraft is being manufactured by Sen itself and will be capable of peak resolutions of 1.5 m as well as wide angle modes. The camera system has already been test flown on Russian satellite – believed to be the Bars M1 Earth mapping satellite.
The five spacecraft will be launched starting in 2021, will be the initial satellites in a hoped for 100 spacecraft constellation able to provide continuous coverage of parts of the Earth surface.
Prototype video camera in orbit. Courtesy: Sen
Comment by David Todd: Big Brother in space you could say.
