The four CO3D satellites built by Airbus have been successfully placed into orbit by an Arianespace Vega-C rocket from the European Space Agency’s spaceport in Kourou. Developed jointly with the French Space Agency (CNES), these satellites are designed to create an extremely detailed three-dimensional map of the Earth’s surface.
Designed for dual-purpose use, the CO3D constellation will provide CNES with stereo images at 50 cm resolution, while also supplying high-resolution 2D data for governmental and commercial users. The satellites will significantly enhance Airbus’s portfolio of advanced optical and radar observation capabilities.
Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, made the following statement after the launch:
“The successful orbit insertion of the CO3D constellation is a great demonstration of Europe’s creativity and our advanced Earth observation capabilities. Thanks to our strong partnership with CNES, these new-generation satellites based on the S250 platform have the potential to deliver a groundbreaking 3D map of our planet.”
Each weighing 285 kg, the four CO3D satellites are currently in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 502 km. Following a six-month in-orbit testing phase, an 18-month data collection campaign will begin to map France and global “crisis areas” in 3D.
The data collected will be transmitted to Airbus’s cloud-based ground system. This data will enable the creation of detailed 3D maps for use in critical fields such as geology, hydrology, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and civil security.
Equipped with Innovative Technologies
The CO3D satellites feature a new observation mode known as “Step & Stare.” Using a matrix detector, each satellite can capture images measuring 7 km by 5 km. Thanks to their exceptional maneuverability, the satellites can rapidly change orientation between consecutive images, delivering strip images ranging from 7 to 28 km.
This program was developed at Airbus’s digitized and modern assembly line in Toulouse, drawing on experience gained during the production of the OneWeb constellation. The CO3D satellites offer high performance in space environments, with components inspired by the automotive and aerospace industries.
MicroCarb Satellite Also Deployed on the Same Launch
In addition to the CO3D satellites, the MicroCarb satellite— a joint project between CNES and the UK Space Agency—was also successfully deployed. Equipped with a high-precision spectrometer built by Airbus, MicroCarb will map global atmospheric carbon levels, contributing significantly to climate research.
