The monitoring of our planet can now benefit from a unique system capable of providing useful and innovative information. In fact, the COSMO-SkyMed Seconda Generazione (COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation) in-orbit testing and qualification phase has been successfully completed, allowing the start of the first CSG satellite full operational phase. In this way, the program reaches an important milestone, in line with the objectives set by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Ministry of Defense, which have promoted, funded and managed, in the role of clients, the entire program. This result also confirms the exceptional skills of the Italian industry (Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, and several SMEs) which built the system.
The CSG operational phase, starting from 15th January, will ensure the operational continuity of the entire COSMO-SkyMed mission, in orbit for more than ten years, and will increase its overall capabilities.
CSG's primary objective is to provide dual users, civilian and military, with Earth Observation services through a wide portfolio of products, obtained in the various operative modes of the SAR sensor (Synthetic Aperture Radar), both in narrow field with ultrafine resolution and wide field.
CSG represents the state of the art of radar Earth Observation systems and, thanks to the technological innovations and new solutions introduced in the space and ground segments, it is able to guarantee significant improvements to the first generation (still in operation) in terms of performance, image quality, efficiency of services and increased operational lifetime. The high agility of the system, combined with a generational technological leap, make possible a significant expansion of possible applications; they include the security and territories surveillance and the prevention and analysis of disasters due to natural or anthropogenic causes.
The CSG System is funded by the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence. The contribution of the national industry, including the Leonardo Group, to the development of this country's excellence is fundamental. In particular, Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) is responsible of the End-to-End system and of the manufacturing of the 4 radar satellites, while Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33 %) is responsible of the Ground Segment, logistics and operations. Leonardo also contributes to the program providing stellar attitude sensors, photovoltaic panels and electronic units for the electrical power subsystem.
e-GEOS, a Telespazio (80%) - ASI (20%) company, is the exclusive commercial provider for COSMO-SkyMed and COSMO-SkyMed Seconda Generazione data and services.
How to ask for COSMO-SkyMed data
New COSMO-SkyMed portal for institutional users
COSMO-SkyMed 2nd generation has started its operational phase, therefore institutional users can ask for 1st and 2nd generation data by using the new COSMO-SkyMed portal.
Users have to create a new ‘user profile’ in order to utilize it.
Users’ passwords can be modified through the following link.
A handbook for COSMO-SkyMed new portal registration and utilization has been created.
e-Geos website for business users
Business users can ask for COSMO-SkyMed data through e-Geos website.
Picture above: the plain of Fucino (L’Aquila) - COSMO-SkyMed © ASI, distributed and processed by e-GEOS
