SSTL-X50 Earthmapper. Photo: SSTL

[Via Satellite 01-15-2014] Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) will use its new X50 platform to deliver Ghalam LLP’s KazSTSAT satellite. This satellite will use a version of the SSTL-X50’s Earthmapper technology that will allow for global wide-area imaging to help with agricultural and flood monitoring, water quality assessment and disaster monitoring.

“It is very gratifying that less than three months after the public introduction of the X50 Earthmapper, one of our longstanding customers has decided to base its new satellite on this platform. It demonstrates the appeal of our new family of advanced platforms which have been designed using our unrivalled experience and the know-how unique to SSTL, combined with cutting-edge technology, manufacturing and testing processes,” Luis Gomes, SSTL’s director of Earth observation and science, said.

Kazakh and SSTL engineers will work together to build the KazSTSAT spacecraft, which will fly Ghalam LLP payloads. It will also join the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, which delivers daily images for applications such as global disaster monitoring.

The X50 satellite platform provides smaller and lighter spacecraft with enhanced capabilities for data processing, communications, and high-precision attitude control. Using automated batch avionics, the new platform offers the benefit of shorter order to orbit timescales and reduced costs.