Cannes, France – Thales Alenia Space has delivered the second flight model high-resolution (HR) optical imaging instrument for integration, testing and validation in the Pleiades earth observation satellite in construction at Astrium facilities in Toulouse.
As prime contractor for the Pleiades system – in particular the ground segment – CNES selected Astrium as satellite prime contractor and Thales Alenia Space for the imaging instruments. The dual-technology program addresses both military and civil needs for European users, including mapping, volcano monitoring, geophysical and hydrology studies, urban planning, etc. The Pleiades project is part of ORFEO*, a joint Franco-Italian initiative by the countries’ national space agencies CNES and ASI, marking a major technological advance in optical earth observation systems.

The Pleiades optical high-resolution imaging instruments offers enhanced resolution of
70 cm over a wide swath (20 km) in both the visible and near infrared bands. This very high resolution instrument also introduces significant innovations such as the highly-integrated detection sub-assemblies (SEDHI), while also reducing volume three-fold compared to previous generations.

Sources: thales Alenia Space, Astrium.