Skimsat Development Contract Awarded to Thales, QinetiQ
A study contract for Skimsat, a breakthrough concept for reducing the cost of Earth observing satellites and a step further for new space initiatives, has been awarded to Thales Alenia Space And QinetiQ Space
"The Skimsat concept is a revolutionary innovation that stands to completely change the Earth observation market by challenging the traditional use of high altitudes that avoid air drag and by creating a new business model for high resolution imaging by using short lifetime and lead time and thus offering the market the benefit of more cost effective satellites.”
Andrew Stanniland, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in the UK.
Skimsat is a small multi-mission satellite designed to operate in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).
The Phase A/B1 study will advance the design of the Skimsat demonstrator, a VLEO multi-mission (<300km or <186 miles) satellite that aims to significantly reduce the cost of Earth observation while increasing performance by operating at substantially lower altitudes. The highly modular, compact flexible satellite will capitalize on developments in high efficiency electrical propulsion to compensate for air drag.
The compact size of Skimsat will allow it to be compatible with the launchers designed for small satellites with respect to dimensions, such as those currently being developed in the UK, to provide customers with substantially shorter lead times than traditional satellite launchers of similar capability.
The study is being led by Thales Alenia Space in the UK and QinetiQ Space team in Belgium and is funded under ESA’s Discovery Preparation and Technology Development (DPTD) activities. Payloads using the multi-mission Skimsat platform will be identified as part of the study for an In Orbit Demonstration to show applications in VLEO prior to the first commercial mission. This new initiative is fully included in the new space approach of Thales Alenia Space and reflects the company’s capability to address disruptive needs in partnership with smaller companies.
”This development activity will pave the way to address and validate the specific needs and challenges related to a flight in a very low Earth orbit. This will open up new opportunities for innovative applications either for the commercial market or the science community”, said Stefanie Kohl, ESA System Engineer.
"The Skimsat concept is a revolutionary innovation that stands to completely change the Earth observation market by challenging the traditional use of high altitudes that avoid air drag and by creating a new business model for high resolution imaging by using short lifetime and lead time and thus offering the market the benefit of more cost effective satellites,” said Andrew Stanniland, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in the UK.
(Source: Thales Alenia Space news release. Image provided)