TRIPLE SUCCESS - GIOVE-1, BEIJING-1 AND TOPSAT

摘要

In the final months of 2005, three ground-breaking smallsatellite missions were launched, each of which hasextended the scope of capabilities normally associatedwith such size spacecraft. Each of these missions hasbeen successfully commissioned, and the spacecraft haveentered their respective operational phases.The early missions results of these Surrey missionsalready demonstrate new capabilities. TOPSAT andBeijing-1 are small but advanced, high-resolutionimaging missions operating in Low-Earth Obit. TOPSAThas demonstrated tactical imaging, conducted from smallmobile stations, and Beijing-1 has entered operationalcommercial service for a private venture company.Giove-A is Europe's first dedicated navigation satellite,operating in the harsh environment of Medium EarthOrbit. It has also met its primary mission objectives ofsecuring the navigation frequency filings for Europe,paving the way for the first commercial global satellitenavigation system.