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January 2001
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Surrey building Disaster Monitoring Constellation
 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) is building a US$40 million Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The constellation will
consist of five micro-satellites to provide daily imaging world-wide for the monitoring and mitigation of natural and man-made disasters as well as dynamic Earth observation. Algeria and the United Kingdom have committed to the acquisition of the
first two DMC satellites, with launch planned for 2002 or 2003. The United Kingdom spacecraft will be sponsored by the British National Space Centre under the MOSAIC program.
The satellites will weigh approximately 50 kg (110 lbm) with a circular
polar orbit of 686 km (370 nmi). The constellation will offer 36 meter resolution. Each satellite will have a life expectancy of about five years.
The company has yet to choose the rocket to do the job, and at present is considering Russian, Chinese, Indian and U.S. boosters.
Five ground stations will make up the ground segment. Each ground station will monitor and control the satellite and receive Earth observation data. Reuters Foundation is expected to serve as the main service provider for disaster relief agencies through its Alertnet facility.
Source: Space and tech - 22 01 2001
www.spaceandtech.com
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