[Satellite TODAY 11-19-09] Thales Alenia Space has delivered the second flight model high-resolution optical imaging instrument to EADS Astrium for integration, testing and validation on the Pleiades earth observation satellite, Thales announced Nov. 19.
     In October 2003, French space agency CNES awarded EADS Astrium a contract worth 314 million euros ($466.6 million) to build two Pleiades satellites. CNES also selected Thales Alenia Space to provide the imaging instruments. The first flight model Pleiades instrument was delivered and intergrated in July 2008.
     The Pleiades program aims to address both military and civil needs for European users, including mapping, volcano monitoring, geophysical and hydrology studies and urban planning. The project is part of ORFEO, a joint Franco-Italian initiative by CNES and ASI, the Italian Space Agency.
     The two Pleiades observation satellites have a design life of five years with a mission to acquire a series of satellite images to create a mosaic of ground scenes.