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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 |
References:
- Satellite Observation: The Airbus Very High Resolution constellation
- Airbus DS: Airbus to reshape Earth observation market with its Pléiades Neo constellation – the world’s first optical commercial satellites to embark SpaceDataHighway, 12 September 2017
