The Final Two Pléiades Neo Satellites Arrive in Kourou for Launch

Scheduled to be launched at the end of November on the first commercial mission of the Vega C European rocket operated by Arianespace, the Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 satellites will complete the Airbus 30cm resolution four-satellite constellation.

“We are just one step away from completing this pioneering constellation, which already covers one million km² per day and delivers images at 30cm native resolution,” said François Lombard, Head of Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space. “With this upcoming launch, we will double our capacity and be able to respond to our customers’ needs even faster, providing the best quality in the market for a wide range of military and commercial applications.”

The Pléiades Neo 3 and 4 satellites were launched in April and August 2021, respectively, and since then they have been collecting imagery easily accessible from Airbus’ OneAtlas digital platform, where customers can task new imagery and have access to archived images and extensive analytics.

The GVTC, which Airbus Defence and Space developed with partner companies Drehtainer GmbH and Binz Automotive, is based on the international ISO standard 20-foot container. It is around 6 meters long and can be easily mounted on existing Bundeswehr trucks via an integrated hook roll-off system. Cranes or other special equipment are not required.
In the GVTC, two paramedics can treat up to eight patients and, for example, monitor their vital signs and oxygen saturation, perform a defibrillator operation or have patients ventilated via the integrated oxygen-generation system. The container also protects its occupants and the equipment on board from chemical warfare agents, shelling and heavy explosions. A power generation unit enables self-sufficient operation for hours, while the high-performance air-conditioning system allows the GVTC to be used in extreme climatic conditions.