[Satellite Today 02-05-09] The RapidEye constellation is ready to begin operations, RapidEye AG announced Feb. 4.
    The constellation was launched in August, and prime contractor MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. has been conducting the commissioning period on the five Earth observation satellites and the related ground infrastructure.
    RapidEye AG will use the satellites to provide agricultural land information products and services such as crop monitoring and mapping, yield prediction, and natural disaster assessment.