COSMO-SkyMed: operational results and performance

Abstract:
COSMO-SkyMed is an Earth Observation dual-use (civilian and Defence) system based on a constellation of four mid-sized satellites, in Low Earth Orbit, carrying multi-mode high resolution SAR instruments dedicated to resource management and security applications for civilian and Defence use. The operational capacity of COSMO-SkyMed has no world-wide competitors thank to the satellites overall nominal capability of sensing and downloading up to 1800 images every day. During the last 6 years COSMO-SkyMed has been employed to provide “Institutional Awareness”, in order to make proper decisions to prevent, respond and manage world-wide crises, to assess damages and supply fundamental information to rescue from catastrophic situations. Even though the first two satellites have already reached their nominal End-of-Life, the constellation is still able to provide the products with the required image quality and geolocation performance, fully sustaining the associated operational loads and granting the required level of service in terms of availability and efficiency. The second generation of the system (COSMO-SkyMed di Seconda Generazione, CSG) is being developed. After an interim phase, CSG will become a unique integrated system able to manage a constellation of up to 6 satellites (2 CSG and up to 4 first generation satellites), granting the operational continuity with the first generation system.