Sub-1m GSD pan-sharpened image of Capital Hill, Canberra, acquired by the SSTL S1-4 satellite in May 2021. Courtesy SSTL.
Australian firm LatConnect 60 and UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) have announced the first partnership under the UK-Australia ‘Space Bridge’.
The ‘Space Bridge’ program was launched in February by the Australian Space Agency and UK Space Agency with the aim of increasing investment and knowledge-sharing between both countries’ space sectors.
SSTL, which will retain ownership and overall in-orbit satellite operation, will lease imaging payload capacity on its S1-4 satellite as well as enable operational access to LatConnect 60 to submit tasking requests for its capacity share.
The 450kg S1-4 is capable of acquiring multiple targets in one pass, utilising spot, strip and mosaic imaging modes and 45 degree off-pointing agility. for a range of applications including urban planning, agricultural monitoring, land classification, natural resource management and disaster monitoring.
The spacecraft’s imager acquires sub-1m resolution images in panchromatic mode and sub-4m resolution images in multispectral mode, with a swath width of about 20.8km.
“We are very excited to have signed this agreement with SSTL and to be working together at the forefront of space innovation. Our satellite service will boost Australia’s, and the region’s, strategic observation capabilities,” said Venkat Pillay, CEO of LatConnect 60.
“Utilising satellite capacity exclusively in Australia, LatConnect 60 will be able to fill key data gaps for customers, while developing local capability which will create jobs and help grow the rapidly emerging Australian space sector.”
Karl Rodrigues, general manager (acting) at the Australian Space Agency (ASA) hailed the partnership as an important development in the ‘Space Bridge’.
“Australian businesses and researchers have even more opportunities to showcase their capabilities to the world,” he said.
“It is an important step in helping to grow Australia’s space industry through international partnerships.”
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