Ingenio (satellite)


SEOSat-Ingenio, is a Spanish project to produce a satellite capable of providing wide-field imagery ensuring a repeat cycle of 38 days at 2.5 m panchromatic resolution and 10 m colour resolution, from a sun-synchronous polar orbit; it is Spain's first optical imaging satellite. The satellite is part of the Spanish Earth Observation Satellite program. The mission is funded by Spain's Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology. SEOSat-Ingenio information will be used by various Spanish civil, institutional or government users. However, under the Copernicus Programme of the European Union, it is also possible to use other European users, as well as the use within the Group on Earth observation of the Global Observing System of Earth.

Overview

The prime contractor is Airbus Defence and Space, Spain and some parts of the satellite are being built by Thales Alenia Space. Spacecraft construction was completed in 2019.
The Primary Payload is a pushbroom imager composed of a Multispectral Imager and a Panchromatic Imager.
Three Complementary Scientific Payloads were initially scheduled to be onboard: SENSOSOL, The Two Towers and Ultraviolet and Visible Atmospheric Sounder. However, in July 2019 Airbus and CDTI confirmed that both TTT and UVAS instruments had lost their flight opportunity. Prior to that announcement, allegations had been raised about UVAS management, pointing to technical deficiencies which could jeopardize its in-flight performance and even lead to its irreversible damage at launch.
It was originally projected to launch in 2017; launch vehicle candidates included Vega, Rockot, and PSLV.
On 17 May 2019, the ESA and Arianespace signed a contract to launch SEOSat-Ingenio on a Vega rocket from Centre Spatial Guyanais in 2020.