[Satellite Today – 4-17-08] EADS Astrium has been appointed the prime contractor to lead a European consortium to develop and build the Sentinel-2 Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency (ESA), the company announced April 17. The contract is worth 195 million Euros ($309.3 million), and was signed today by leading executives of Astrium and ESA.
    Sentinel-2 is the medium spatial resolution optical mission of the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) program, an initiative of ESA and the European Commission that aims to set up a permanent European network for the recording and analysis of environmental and security relevant data. The multi-spectral instrument (MSI) will generate optical images in 13 spectral channels in the visible and short-wave infrared range down to a resolution of 10 meters with an image width of 290 kilometers. This will enable Sentinel-2 to provide a permanent record of comprehensive data to help inform the agriculture sector (utilization, coverage, sealing), forestry industry (population, damage, forest fires), disaster control (management, early warning) and humanitarian relief programs. Sentinel-2 will also be able to observe natural disasters such as floods, volcanic eruptions, subsidence and landslides.
    Astrium will use facilities in Germany, France and Spain to build the satellite. Astrium in Friedrichshafen, Germany, will be responsible for the satellite’s system design and platform, as well as for satellite integration and testing. Astrium Toulouse will supply the multi-spectral imaging instrument (MSI), and Astrium Spain will be in charge of the satellite’s structure and will produce its thermal equipment and cable harness.
    "Astrium has an outstanding track record in developing and building Earth observation satellites, including ERS, Metop, Champ and TerraSAR-X,” said Uwe Minne, director for Earth Observation and Science of Astrium GmbH in a statement. “We are proud to be selected by ESA to provide a technology which will help us to improve our environment and to keep our planet safe and healthy"
    On April 14, Thales Alenia Space won the ESA contract for Sentinel-3.