J-CS

Airbus Defence and Space has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to manage the development of the first Jason-CS/Sentinel-6 satellite.

Part of the European Earth observation programme Copernicus, the Jason-CS/Sentinel-6 mission is designed to perform high-precision measurements of ocean surface, to map the topography across the globe.

Data accumulated will help in modelling the oceans and predict variation in sea levels.

Planned to be operated from an altitude of around 1,300km, the satellite is scheduled for launch in 2020 and will orbit for five and a half years.

Germany-based EUMETSAT will oversee and manage the operations of the Jason-CS/Sentinel-6 satellite.

Airbus Defence and Space Space Systems head Francois Auque said: "For this project, we will rely not only upon the proven and efficient designs and processes applied to numerous Earth observation missions, but also, of course, upon the experienced Cryosat team of experts."

Airbus will be the prime contractor for the space segment and will lead the industry consortium on behalf of the ESA.

The satellite’s main instrument, radar altimeter will be built by Thales Alenia Space France, while Nasa / JPL in the US and the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will provide the remaining instruments.

Image: An artistic view of the Jason-CS/Sentinel-6 satellite. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Defence and Space.

Defence Technology