Page 28 - hisdeSAT annual report 2011

HIGHLIGHTS 2011

3.3 The Earth Observation

system

In July of 2007 the National Satellite Earth Observation

Programme (PNOTS) was launched, fruit of the

collaboration between the Ministries of Defence and
Industry, Tourism and Trade.

PNOTS comprises two satellites, Paz and 8 times each year. Its launch will take place in
Ingenio, currently under development, with 2014. Paz and INGENIO satellites
the two space observation technologies, ra-
dar (SAR) and optic, respectively, for both The Paz satellite (radar) is aimed at prin-
military and civilian use, being thereby able cipally satisfying defence and security re-
26 to provide both nocturnal and daytime im- quirements, and HISDESAT will be the busi- 27 collaboration with the National Institute of
ages and in any meteorological conditions. ness owner and responsible for overseeing Aerospace Technique (INTA), which will also
The Ingenio satellite is run by the Ministry both its design, as well as its development provide the ground segment. PNOTS com-
of Science and Innovation and the Centre and manufacture. It will have a heliosyn- prises two satellites which will operate
for Industrial Technological Development chronous orbit of some 514 km. height, cir- under one sole system, thereby ensuring
(CDTI), while the European Space Agency cling the earth a little more than 15 times greater effectiveness and efficiency in the
(ESA) is responsi- a day and providing more than 100 dai- provision of services.
ble for overseeing ly images depending on mode of opera- Paz
With this new system the manufacture of tion. Its launch is planned for 2013 and has During the years 2008

of satellites, Spain same. Ingenio (op- been entrusted to the Russian launcher DN- is completing to 2010, different ac-
tions have been taken
tic) is dedicated to
PER, after signature of the contract with the
will be the first principally fulfilling Russian company KOSMOTRAS. its final phase of for the development of advice pertaining to the Observation
the requirements of
PNOTS, such as the sig-
European country to civilian users. With this new satellite system, Spain will integration nature with the Sec- Programme.
be the first European country to have an retary of State for the
have a dual system of This satellite will Observation System that is both dual (op- Ministry of Defence of In relation to completion of the Paz pro-
have a heliosynchro- tic and radar) and of dual use (civilian and the framework collaboration agreement be- gramme, a Platform-Pre-test-Review-Board
observation nous orbit at some military). In addition, the Observation Pro- tween the Defence Ministry and HISDESAT, in was undertaken, with two thirds of the en-
670 Km height, cir- gramme represents a qualitative leap of order to establish the products and services tire programme already complete. In May
cling the earth more great importance in relation to the position to be received by the Ministry of Defence, as of 2011, the Paz satellite platform arrived
than 14 times a day. It will have the capac- of Spain’s space industry. well as the investment to be made during from Friedichshafen (Germany) at the EADS
ity to take up to 600 panchromatic and mul- the Paz satellite’s planned operational term. Casa Espacio in Barajas, to complete its final
tispectral images daily, with a resolution of HISDESAT assumes responsibility for the op- integration phase.
2.5m and 10m, respectively. With this satel- eration, launch into orbit and commer- HISDESAT also signed, with INTA, a specif-
lite the national territory can be fully covered cial exploitation of the two satellites, in ic agreement for the provision of technical