Ikonos

Ikonos 1 [Lockheed Martin]

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, an operating unit of Missiles & Space, has revolutionized the space-based imagery market with the development of the first commercial satellite capable of resolving objects on the ground as small as one meter in diameter. The company is providing a spacecraft, designated IKONOS 1, for Space Imaging, Thornton, CO, which offers high-resolution imagery of the Earth to customers around the world.

These spacecraft utilize the LM-900 satellite bus, a three-axis stabilized platform. The main payload is a digital imaging sensor or 'camera' that responds to tasking requests from ground stations. Altitude and speed give it a wide field of view and the ability to capture large quantities of data very quickly. When combined with imagery from other satellite sources and aerial photography, the LM-900 enables Space Imaging to offer extremely high imagery resolution, image quality, information content, and fast delivery time to its customers.

The launch of the first satellite failed, when the payload shroud of the Athena-2 launch vehicle failed to separate. The second launch, again on an Athena-2 launch vehicle, was successful.

Ikonos 1 was retired after more than 15 years of service on 31 March 2015 - more than double of the 7 years desgin life time.