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The COSMO-SkyMed program is designed to
enhance the monitoring and management of
our planet for applications including civil
protection (management of environmental
hazards), defense and security, as well
as scientific and commercial applications.
The total program cost is approximately
1 billion euros.
This launch follows the two earlier launches,
on July 7 and December 9, 2007, both from
Vandenberg AFB. With the first two satellites
in orbit, COSMO-SkyMed successfully passed
all initial tests and became fully operational
on August 1, 2008. It has already proven
its performance and operational capabilities
by supplying images of natural and environmental
disasters such as Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar,
the earthquake in China in spring 2008,
and Hurricanes Hannah and Ike over Haiti
in September 2008. These images have often
been utilized by the International Institutions
and by humanitarian organizations to plan
aid efforts.
With the launching of the third satellite,
COSMO-SkyMed will further increase its
image acquisition and production capacity,
to 1,350 images per day from the current
capacity of 900 images.
The orbital position of the third satellite
will allow it to operate in tandem with
another satellite, in order to develop
interferometry-based applications. This
function enables the observation of a
given geographic zone at different moments
and angles, to measure possible deformations
in the earth’s surface.
COSMO-SkyMed thus enhances its ability
to supply services encompassing environmental
monitoring, security and hazards management,
covering a wide range of application.
The fourth satellite is currently scheduled
for launch in early 2010.
The COSMO-SkyMed program was originally developed through an agreement between the Italian space agency (ASI) and Ministry of Defense. Thales Alenia Space (a Thales/Finmeccanica joint venture) is the prime contractor, with responsibility for the entire system.Telespazio (a Finmeccanica/Thales joint venture) was responsible for manufacturing the civil and military ground segments. It manages the constellation’s in-orbit operations and data acquisition and processing.
For civil applications, COSMO-SkyMed data are marketed by e-geos, a company created by the Italian Space Agency and Telespazio.
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