The imaging satellites in use today are huge, expensive pieces of technology. One local aerospace firm aims to change that with its design for a smaller, cheaper satellite to provide better on-demand imaging.
Maryland Aerospace's Kestrel Eye satellite is designed to provide imaging on-demand, at a fraction of the cost of a regular satellite. While an average satellite can cost tens of millions of dollars to build, a Kestrel Eye satellite will only cost approximately one million dollars. This means that more of these small satellites can be put into orbit, providing faster and more accurate imagery for users.
"It represents a quantum leap forward in low-cost tech," says Maryland Aerospace President Steven Fujikawa. "You can build 30 of these for the less than the cost of one big satellite."
Maryland Aerospace began working on the Kestrel Eye in 2006, with a sponsorship from the Army. The electro-optical imaging satellite has 1.5 meter ground resolution. Using a PDA or smartphone, individual soldiers could use the imagery provided by a Kestrel Eye satellite to see what's behind the next building or ridge line.
"We originated this concept. The U.S. has big satellites. Because they are so expensive, they really can't provide enough on-demand imagery for both government and the commercial sector," continues Mr. Fujikawa.
The first Kestrel Eye satellite was scheduled to launch in November 2011. Due to cuts to the NASA budget, the launch has been rescheduled. Maryland Aerospace will now be launching its first Kestrel Eye satellite in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Writer: Amy McNeal
Sources: Maryland Aerospace Inc.; Steven Fujikawa, David Park, Don Tatum