Earth observation images taken by satellites flying into space show the world in so many ways and provide vital information. Satellite images can show environmental changes occurring gradually, like the spread of air pollution over a certain continent.
Video observation is the next step: it will allow monitoring of events along time, for varied applications from environment (evolution of fires, floods, deforestation, maritime disatsters…) to regulation (ship identification, fight of maritime piracy…).
The EU-funded VIDEO project developed the key technologies for the next generation of Earth observationinstruments: the VIDEO flight instrument concept has the capability to perform high-resolution video monitoring on an extremely wide scene.
Its novel architecture is based Thales Alenia Space’s exclusive patent combining freeform mirrors in a smart compact optical combination and state-of-the-art technologies for mirrors (freeforms), structures (additive manufacturing of a material with low thermal expansion), detection (new generation Gigapyx sensor) and processing chain (detection and compression).
The VIDEO instrument is the future of small and compact instruments: it has the capability to supply high resolution images as well as video monitoring on an extremely wide scene. The field of view for this imager is about 10 times higher in surface than a classical instrument using the same volume without freeform mirrors.
And due to the AlSi-based material for mirrors and structure, the instrument is fully demisable compared to similar concept in ceramic solutions. It is indeed a strong argument in the perspective of future small satellite observation constellations.
Finally, combining the telescope with the Gigapyx sensor’s performances in terms of size and dynamic acquisition and high-efficiency image compression and detection capability, the instrument will be the most advanced in its generation.
An end-to-end ground demonstration with a downscaled demonstrator instrument was performed at the end of the project in Thales Alenia Space's facilities to demonstrate the capacity of a European supply chain to Produce, Assemble, and Test a state-of-the-art VIDEO instrument.
Partners involved in the project are all from the European space industry value chain: the consortium includes six entities from three different European countries, combining the skills of academics and SMEs, and three large industrial companies. The project coordinator, Thales Alenia Space, is a Large system integrator for spacecraft, renowned for its specialty in optical instruments.
In order to capitalize on the demonstrator achieved results one will have to focus on two point of attention: the first one is to work on achieve a good reliability of 3D manufacturing AlSi40 and to allow a greater budget to allow the development of the flight instrument concept.
