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Earth Observation Satellites

A new look at your world

For a weather-independent data source, high-frequency revisits, very-high-resolution imagery or even all of the above in a single system – we can provide the right Earth observation satellite for every customer.

Our innovative off-the-shelf solutions and highly efficient production processes enable a record-time delivery of highly sophisticated satellites. What’s more – we also have a substantial expertise in ground segment infrastructure and operations as well as data management and imagery exploitation.

#1 Supplierto European Institutions

300 Yearsof In-Orbit Time Since 1986

No In-Orbit Failure

Prime Contractor of Over 70 Earth Observation Satellites

Our Global Expertise

A Preferred Partner of ESA

Airbus Defence and Space is a proud supplier of the European Space Agency (ESA), who has tuned to us for the delivery of some of their most challenging Earth observation missions.

National Missions Worldwide

As the World’s #1 exporter of Earth observation systems, Airbus Defence and Space has successfully delivered such systems across four continents.

Tomorrow’s Weather and Future Climate

Our meteorology satellites enhance meteorological knowledge, weather forecast and climate change monitoring. They combine optical instruments, atmospheric sounders and microwave instruments to perform a complete range of observations.

A Driving Force for Copernicus

As part of the European Commission’s Copernicus programme, Airbus Defence and Space has been selected as the supplier of numerous Sentinel satellites as well as instruments aboard these satellites.

Thirty years of successful
earth observation

Since the launch of its first Earth observation satellite in 1986, Airbus Defence and Space has successfully built and delivered almost 50 Earth observation satellite systems, accumulating over 300 years of in-orbit operation. Not a single one of these missions has ever failed in orbit.

Today, many of our satellites are in operation well beyond their originally scheduled lifetime.

At the same time, several new satellites as well as numerous payloads for customers around the Globe are currently in construction in our facilities.

Top Stories

Airbus Completes First GRACE-FO Satellite for NASA/JPL

Airbus Defence and Space has finished construction of the first of the two GRACE-FO satellites (GRACE = Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, FO = Follow-On).

PerúSAT-1: The First Image is Ready

PerúSAT-1 is a very-high-resolution Earth observation satellite system built for the government and Space Agency of Peru (CONIDA). This satellite was launched in mid-September and CONIDA has now released the first of its imagery, including a spectacular picture of Cuajone, a large copper mine in the south of the country.

Our Comprehensive Portfolio

Deliverable in absolute record time, our leading-edge systems are designed as off-the-shelf products that can be individually customized to comply with specific customer requirements.

Our Cutting-edge Instrumentation

With over 35 years of experience designing & building high quality instrumentation Airbus Defence and Space delivers optical & radar end-to-end systems using unique cutting-edge technologies.

Data Intelligence Services

With an exclusive access to a unique constellation of radar and optical satellites, Airbus Defence and Space supplies a comprehensive portfolio of data and related services.

More than "Just" Satellites

With their satellite systems from Airbus Defence and Space, customers tap into an extensive repository of capacity building options, ranging from full in-orbit delivery to satellite data storage solutions.

Our Portfolio

An Unrivalled Expertise

With cutting-edge capabilities and decades of experience, Airbus Defence and Space has all that it takes to design, develop and deliver in-orbit major space systems. Around the Globe, institutional and governmental customers alike rely on our leading-edge Earth observation technology.