Earth observation

A new look at your world

For a weather-independent data source, high-frequency revisits, very-high-resolution imagery or even all of the above in a single system – we can provide the right Earth observation satellite for every customer.

Our innovative off-the-shelf solutions and highly efficient production processes enable a record-time delivery of highly sophisticated satellites. What’s more – we also have a substantial expertise in ground segment infrastructure, technology and operations as well as data management and imagery exploitation.

No. 1 supplier	to European institutions
More than 30 years	of in-orbit time since 1986
No in-orbit failure
Prime contractor	for over 70 earth observation satellites

More than thirty years of successful earth observation

Since the launch of its first Earth observation satellite in 1986, Airbus Defence and Space has successfully built and delivered almost 50 Earth observation satellite systems, accumulating over 30 years of in-orbit operation. Not a single one of these missions has ever failed in orbit.

Today, many of our satellites are in operation well beyond their originally scheduled lifetime.

At the same time, several new satellites as well as numerous payloads for customers around the globe are currently in construction in our facilities.

Our global expertise

A representation of an Airbus-produced meteorological satellite in orbit.

Tomorrow’s weather and future climate

Our meteorology satellites enhance meteorological knowledge, weather forecast and climate change monitoring. They combine optical instruments, atmospheric sounders and microwave instruments to perform a complete range of observations.

This representative graphic shows the orbital path for an Airbus-produced satellite.

A preferred partner of ESA

Airbus Defence and Space is a proud supplier of the European Space Agency (ESA), who has tuned to us for the delivery of some of their most challenging space missions, including: BIOMASS, which addresses the status and dynamics of the Earth’s forests.

A representation of the Airbus-produced Sentinel-2B satellite launched in 2017.

A driving force for Copernicus

As part of the European Commission’s Copernicus programme, Airbus Defence and Space has been selected as the supplier of numerous Sentinel satellites as well as instruments aboard these satellites. Copernicus comprises an “in-situ” and “services” components addressing six specific topics: oceans, atmosphere, climate change, land, security and emergency management.

A computer rendering showing the multiple types of Earth observation satellites produced by Airbus.

Earth observation satellites portfolio

Deliverable in absolute record time, our leading-edge systems are designed as off-the-shelf products that can be individually customised to comply with specific customer requirements.

PerúSAT-1

A very-high-resolution Earth observation system built for the government and Space Agency of Peru, PerúSAT-1 is the first of its kind operated by the country. The satellite programme provides imagery for both civil and military applications.

VNREDSAT-1

VNREDSat-1 is Vietnam’s first remote sensing satellite providing high-resolution imagery to serve social and economic development purposes, as well as environmental protection and natural disaster monitoring

A map generated using data from Earth observation satellite technology.

Data intelligence services

With an exclusive access to a unique constellation of radar and optical satellites, Airbus Defence and Space supplies a comprehensive portfolio of data and related services.

Four colleagues review global data on a large display screen.

More than just satellites

Extensive repository of capacity building options, ranging from full in-orbit delivery to satellite data storage solutions.

Additional stories

A representation of the Airbus-produced SSOT Earth observation satellite for the Chilean Air Force.

SSOT - FASAT CHARLIE

Airbus Defence and Space developed the SSOT Earth observation satellite for the Chilean Air Force (FACh), in order to access high-quality satellite imagery. In Chile, the spacecraft is commonly known as "FASat-Charlie." It was launched on 16 December 2011 and its data is used in a wide range of applications, including mapping, agriculture, urban planning, military intelligence and natural resource, risk and disaster management. Read more about this success story.

Earth Observation interactive map