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Pléiades-Neo 3, 4, 5, 6 (VHR-2020 1, 2, 3, 4)

Pléiades-Neo [Airbus DS]

Pléiades-Neo, initally also known as VHR-2020, is a four-satellite very high resolution earth observation satellite constellation by Airbus Defence & Space designed as a follow on to the Pléiades-HR satellites.

The satellites feature an imager with 30 cm ground resolution, possibly featureing CILAS deformable mirrors. They use TesatSpacecom laser communication relay terminals to transfer data via the EDRS network, enabling near-real time access to the images.

The S950 Optical satellite busses can be stacked to allow dual launches without using a dual launch adaptor.

The Pléiades-Neo constellation use an 700 km orbit with two orbital planes to allow intra-day revisit times.

The first pair was launched using individual Vega launchers in April and August 2021. The second pair was launched together in December 2022 on a single Vega-C rocket, but failed to reach orbit.

Nation: France
Type / Application: Earth observation
Operator: Airbus Defence and Space
Contractors: Airbus Defence and Space
Equipment:
Configuration: S950 Optical bus
Propulsion:
Power: Deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 10 years
Mass: 920 kg
Orbit: 623 km × 626 km, 97.90° (#1); 615 km × 617 km, 97.90° (#2)
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Pléiades-Neo 3 (VHR-2020 1) 2021-034A 29.04.2021 Ko ELV Vega with NORSAT 3, AII-Bravo, ELO Alpha, Lemur-2 138, 139
Pléiades-Neo 4 (VHR-2020 2) 2021-073E 17.08.2021 Ko ELV Vega with BRO 4, RADCUBE, Sunstorm, LEDSAT
Pléiades-Neo 5 (VHR-2020 3) 2022-F07 21.12.2022 Ko ELV F Vega-C with Pléiades-Neo 6
Pléiades-Neo 6 (VHR-2020 4) 2022-F07 21.12.2022 Ko ELV F Vega-C with Pléiades-Neo 5

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