The wait is almost over as the expectation of an imminent launch adds excitement to the RapidEye Team these days. The constellation of five earth observation (EO) satellites sits ready in a clean room in Surrey, United Kingdom, waiting to be shipped to the launch site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The space head module, on which the satellites will be mounted and which will be placed on top of the DNEPR rocket, has been built and is currently undergoing final testing, while the launch vehicle and the silo are being prepared for the event. Additionally, the insurance contract covering the launch of the satellite constellation and the first year in orbit has been successfully negotiated. “For the first time since signing the supply contract in 2004 with CCC (Canadian Commercial Corporation) to have MDA (MacDonald Dettwiler) build the ground and space segment of the RapidEye system, we can say that we see the finish line,” said Pietro Widmer, Head of the Operations and Engineering Department. “Currently, nothing is standing in the way of us launching this summer,” Mr. Widmer added. “Although there can always be unforeseen delays in this business, I’m very optimistic.”
Rapid Eye Eagerly Awaits Ship Date For EO Sats
The wait is almost over as the expectation of an imminent launch adds excitement to the RapidEye Team these days. The constellation of five earth observation (EO) satellites sits ready in a clean room in Surrey, United Kingdom, waiting to be shipped to the launch site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The space head module, on which the satellites will be mounted and which will be placed on top of the DNEPR rocket, has been built and is currently undergoing final testing, while the launch vehicle and the silo are being prepared for the event. Additionally, the insurance contract covering the launch of the satellite constellation and the first year in orbit has been successfully negotiated. “For the first time since signing the supply contract in 2004 with CCC (Canadian Commercial Corporation) to have MDA (MacDonald Dettwiler) build the ground and space segment of the RapidEye system, we can say that we see the finish line,” said Pietro Widmer, Head of the Operations and Engineering Department. “Currently, nothing is standing in the way of us launching this summer,” Mr. Widmer added. “Although there can always be unforeseen delays in this business, I’m very optimistic.”
