A consortium led by Britain's Qinetiq aerospace research company (Hall 2B J14/4) is on course for TopSat's first space launch, after successfully completing simulated launch vibration tests. The high-resolution, low-cost micro-satellite is set to take-off on 25 August at the Plesetsk launch site in northern Russia.

The satellite carries an advanced optical camera able to collect 15x15km images of the earth with a panchromatic resolution of 2.5 m and a multispectral colour resolution of 5m.

Remote

It is suitable for remote sensing applications such as disaster relief, environmental monitoring and crop management.

Qinetq is leading a consortium of UK companies including Surrey Satellite Technology, which is responsible for the development of the platform, satellite integration and the telecommand and control system; Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), which is providing the high performance camera; and Infoterra, which is developing the market for TopSat data products.

Source: Flight Daily News