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NASA has launched a pilot program to assess how the Earth's scientific data from commercial small satellite constellations could complement the observations of the Earth Science mission fleet in orbit of the agency. On September 28, the agency awarded sole-source contracts to acquire test datasets from three private sector organizations.
NASA's Earth Sciences Division in Washington has published global procurement agreements for the "Private Sector Small Satellite Constellation Pilot Project". Under these agreements, the Agency purchases datasets and related products based on observations derived from constellations of small Earth-orbiting satellites designed and operated by non-governmental entities.
"This pilot program is an innovative and effective way for us to acquire, review and evaluate a wide range of private sector Earth observation data," said Michael. Freilich, director of NASA's Earth Sciences Division. "Our fleet of high-performing aging NASA research satellites and more and more small satellites are being launched by the private sector, so it is possible to leverage each other's strengths to achieve even more comprehensive climate data sets. "
NASA will provide test data products to NASA-funded researchers, who will examine whether the data can advance the science goals in application and application development. The pilot program is designed to determine whether these private-sector observations and associated products provide a cost-effective way to augment or complement the series of Earth observations acquired directly by NASA, other US government agencies and partners. International.
The contracts were awarded to:
DigitalGlobe, a Maxar Technologies company based in Westminster, Colorado, has five ultra-high resolution terrestrial imaging satellites (GeoEye-1, WorldView-1, WorldView-2, WorldView-3, WorldView-4) capable of collecting images with a resolution of 30 centimeters.
PlanetHeadquartered in San Francisco, it has three satellite constellations (SkySat, Dove, RapidEye) and more than 150 satellites providing medium and high resolution images and derived products all over the Earth with high repetition rates.
ARROW, headquartered in San Francisco, operates a constellation of more than 60 satellites that collect radio occultation soundings, aircraft location information and ship reports. The GPS radio occultation measurements can be used to detect temperature, water vapor and atmospheric pressure in the atmosphere.
These contracts represent the first time that NASA has hired commercial operators in the small satellite constellation to acquire their data for scientific evaluation purposes. They establish a way for NASA to acquire and review data products over the next 12 months. Each contract includes an option allowing NASA to extend the agreement for four additional years, for a total value of up to $ 7 million for each of the three agreements.
To participate in this pilot program, companies had to demonstrate that they currently operate a small satellite constellation of at least three satellites in non-geostationary orbit and producing consistent global coverage. Companies were also asked to provide a complete catalog of their data, describing geographic coverage, data latency, pricing, and other factors.
NASA uses the space point of view to understand and explore our original planet, improve lives and preserve our future. The agency's observations on the Earth's complex natural environment are essential to understanding how the natural resources and climate of our planet are changing now and could change in the future.
Related Links
SmallSats at NASA
Earth Observation News – Suppiliers, Technology and Applications
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