Mapping our planet in 3D

Four Airbus-built satellites have begun their mission to create a highly detailed 3D map of the Earth’s surface.

The Constellation Optique 3D satellites were placed into orbit at the end of July from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The dual-use CO3D satellites will deliver a global high-resolution digital surface model (DSM), providing 50cm stereo imagery to co-developer the French Space Agency (CNES), and 2D imagery to government and commercial clients of Airbus.

All four 285kg satellites are in a Sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 502km.

Over the next six months, they will undergo in-orbit testing before beginning an 18-month campaign to deliver a 3D map supporting critical military and civil applications ranging from geology and hydrology to urban planning and civil security.

Also successfully deployed on the same launch was the MicroCarb satellite, a joint mission between CNES and the UK Space Agency. Equipped with a high-precision spectrometer, it will map atmospheric carbon content on a planetary scale, providing vital data to climate scientists.