Growth and development of the DMC; New developments in the international constellation build a sustainable EO system

摘要

Two enhanced 20 metre class satellites, UK DMC-2 and Deimos-1, with 650 km swath will be launched in December 2008 to join the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The huge increase in imaging capacity and improved resolution open up new areas of application for DMC satellite imagery. The DMC is a unique demonstration of the value of international cooperation in space in achieving a sustainable and affordable Earth Observation system. Through the synergy of multiple spacecraft coordinated in sun synchronous orbit, the whole DMC satellite constellation is able to achieve more than any individual satellite. Each DMC Consortium Member owns and operates its own national DMC satellite. Members benefit by gaining the support of other DMC satellites and ground stations for specific national programmes, as well as gaining income from international sales of DMC data. Coordination and management of international imaging campaigns is provided by DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii), which markets and licences data on behalf of the DMC Consortium. This paper presents the advances in imaging capability and the achievements of the DMC since the first satellite launched in 2002. It also reviews the development of new applications benefiting from the daily revisit and wide area imaging capability of the DMC, as well as the contribution made to global disaster monitoring through DMC Membership of the International Charter.