OpSIS

CGS SpA Compagnia Generale per lo Spazio and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) signed in July 2012 a contract for Phases A and B1 for the realization of the OPSIS (OPtical System for Imaging and Surveillance) Satellite and relevant ground segment. The contract has a value of EUR 13.5 million.

OPSIS is a mission of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) whose main goal is to provide Italy with a spaceborne operative High Resolution Optical System for Earth Observation, by developing and qualifying the relevant necessary technologies at national level. The mission will operate together with existing systems currently used by ASI and the Italian Department of Defense, contributing in this way in developing applications for institutional and research users.

The key features of the system are:

• Dual use mission, compatible with the security requirements
• High image resolution (GSD less than 1 meter-PAN and 2 meter Multispectral)
• High operational flexibility

CGS has been selected as Prime Contractor for this mission and will be leading and coordinating a consortium of Italian small and medium sized companies. The launch of the satellite (launch mass 800 kg) is planned in 2016.

With the OPSIS program, CGS will fill a gap in terms of availability of a strategic state-of-the-art asset for High Resolution Optical imaging for Italy.

A likely launch vehicle is the Vega rocket.