The Italian Earth observation satellite PRISMA (Precursore Iperspettrale della Missione Applicativa) has been formally awarded its launch. A launch contract has been signed between the Italian Space Agency and Arianespace for the Vega launch to take place in 2018. The 900 kg spacecraft built by the Carlo Gavazzi firm will be carried into a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit. It carries a hyperspectral camera of 20 m resolution camera and panchromatic camera of 2.5 m resolution with a swath width of between 30 and 60 km. The spacecraft will be used for agricultural and pollution monitoring etc.
Artist’s impression of Vega-C in flight. Courtesy: ESA
The follow-on rocket to Vega (Vega 1), the Vega-C, has also received some launch orders. Or rather a single order for two launches from Airbus starting in 2020. Four Airbus high resolution imaging spacecraft, two on each, will be launched on the flights.
